Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a public charity and nonprofit grant-making organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. Created by the Maryland General Assembly in 1985, it funds efforts to improve the watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny River through environmental education, on-the-ground restoration, and community engagement.
Chesapeake Bay Trust at a glance
In short: Chesapeake Bay Trust gave $21.5M across 267 grants in 2025 (avg $81K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $21,506,725
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 267
- +26600.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $80,550
- -99.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $34,006
- Total assets
- $52,181,608
- +21.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Chesapeake Bay Trust
- Contact
Mailing address: 108 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403
Phone: (410) 974-2941
Website: https://cbtrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
42 open opportunities from Chesapeake Bay Trust
Aileen Hughes Award Program Grant
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Anne Arundel County Community Tree Planting Mini Grant Program
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Anne Arundel County Forestry and Forested Land Protection Grant Program
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Amount
Up to US $238,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Chesapeake Bay Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Baltimore Tree Trust ($2.3M). Together the top 10 received $7.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
271 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 176 grants of 271 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust describes its work as serving the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny River watersheds. In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland, 5% to Virginia, 4% to Washington, DC, 3% to Pennsylvania, and 2% to West Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 267 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chesapeake Bay Trust gives
- Giving grew 107% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $10.3M (2020) to $21.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 267 grants totaling $21.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Tree Trust Baltimore, MD | Community Stewardship and Restoration | $2,274,240 |
| Prince George's County Maryland Largo, MD | Community Stewardship and Environmental Education | $1,085,000 |
| Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Annapolis, MD | Community Stewardship | $928,350 |
| Montgomery County Dept of Environmental Protection Watershed Restoration D Wheaton, MD | Community Stewardship | $769,943 |
| Baltimore County Deps Towson, MD | Community Stewardship and Restoration | $625,000 |
| Shorerivers Inc Easton, MD | Community Stewardship and Restoration | $599,082 |
| Arundel Rivers Federation Edgewater, MD | Restoration | $392,853 |
| Chesapeake Rivers Association Annapolis, MD | Community Stewardship and Restoration | $364,902 |
| National Wildlife Federation Reston, VA | Restoration | $336,472 |
| Scenic Rivers Land Trust Annapolis, MD | Restoration | $330,324 |
Ready to take the next step with Chesapeake Bay Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Trust states that 90% of its expenditures are directed to Chesapeake Bay restoration and education programs. Its funding sources include proceeds from the Treasure the Chesapeake vehicle license plate, donations through the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on Maryland’s state income tax form, individual and corporate donations, and partnerships with foundations and government agencies.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,181,608 | $36,042,524 | $32,816,762 | $21,506,725 | 267 | $1,771,414 |
| 2024 | $42,961,240 | $28,427,407 | $26,556,750 | $21,071,983 | 1 | $932,801 |
| 2023 | $35,658,902 | $22,229,296 | $20,192,027 | $16,296,634 | 1 | $631,954 |
| 2022 | $22,649,655 | $15,960,669 | $13,845,967 | $10,396,581 | 1 | $935,856 |
| 2021 | $21,830,338 | $16,535,604 | $14,640,571 | $11,500,014 | 1 | $945,096 |
| 2020 | $19,612,597 | $14,345,012 | $13,410,260 | $10,285,282 | 1 | $680,421 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s grantmaking supports environmental education, demonstration-based restoration, and community engagement. Its stated program areas include K–12 environmental education through experiential learning and curriculum development; restoration activities that demonstrate techniques and involve residents; and public awareness and participation in restoring and promoting Maryland’s natural resources.
The Trust identifies schools, local governments, community groups, faith-based groups, watershed organizations, and other nonprofit entities among its grantees. Examples of grantee work include Baltimore Tree Trust’s efforts to restore Baltimore’s urban forest through tree planting and community engagement, and ShoreRivers’ science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement to protect Eastern Shore waterways. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Trust’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Trust reported 267 grants totaling $21,506,725. Grants ranged from $5,317 to $2,274,240, with a median grant of $34,006. The largest awards included $2,274,240 to Baltimore Tree Trust for community stewardship and restoration; $1,085,000 to Prince George’s County, Maryland, for community stewardship and environmental education; and $928,350 to Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for community stewardship.
Other substantial 2025 awards included $769,943 to Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection for watershed restoration, $625,000 to Baltimore County for community stewardship and restoration, and $599,082 to ShoreRivers for community stewardship and restoration.
The Trust’s website directs prospective applicants to its program navigator to search opportunities by location, project type, or project size, and advises them to check each program’s own requirements. Applications require a project budget, with categories including personnel, supplies, contractual costs, travel, equipment, other costs, and indirect costs. The Trust’s filing states that grantees must provide financial reports; larger grants also require detailed project budgets and periodic status reports. Unspent funds must be returned, and noncompliance can result in ineligibility for future grants.
The Charles County Tree Planting and Veterans Engagement mini-grant program information says FY26 funds were exhausted and anticipated reopening in July 2026; that anticipated date has passed. The Trust’s website also lists opportunities with future deadlines, but applicants should check the individual program pages for current availability and requirements.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Trust’s 2025 filing lists Joseph E. Farren as chair, Alexander G. Nunez as vice-chair, Brian M. Hart as treasurer, and Josh Kurtz as secretary. Listed trustees are Coretta Bennett, Jason D. Keppler, Jeffrey Hortsman, Henry H. Hopkins, Hon. David Fraser-Hidalgo, and Dr. Astrid Caldas.
Chesapeake Bay Trust is led by Jana L. Davis PhD, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 24 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jana L. Davis PhD
President
Executive Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$163K (2020) → $198K (2025)
Joseph E. Farren
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Coretta Bennett
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Fraser-Hidalgo
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason D. Keppler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Koch
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Senator Pamela Beidle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomasina Poirot Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher M. Corchiarino
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Henry H. Hopkins Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Hortsman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Rowe
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Astrid Caldas
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vernice Miller-Travis
Trustee
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allan House
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Nemazie
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey A. Mason
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Nelson
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Vice President of Finance & Administration → Vice President of Finance & Administrator, 2023
Vice President of Finance & Administrator → Vice President of Finance & Administration, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$66K (2021) → $142K (2025)
Kacey M. Wetzel
Vice President of Program for Outreach & Education
Vice President of Program for Outreach & Education → Vice President of Program for Outreach & E, 2023
Vice President of Program for Outreach & E → Vice President of Program for Outreach & Education, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$100K (2021) → $136K (2025)
Sadie R. Drescher
Vice President of Programs for Restoration
Vice President of Programs for Restoration → Vice President of Programs for Restora, 2023
Vice President of Programs for Restora → Vice President of Programs for Restoration, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $131K (2025)
Suzanne Armstrong
Former Vice President of Development
Vice President of Development → Former Vice President of Development, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$100K (2023) → $115K (2025)
Alexander G. Nunez Esq.
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian M. Hart
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josh Kurtz
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Anthony Murray Leigh Jr. (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Bryan S. Offutt (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: John R. Valliant (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Erica Anthony PhD (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Gary Jobson (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Secty Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Benjamin Wechsler (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: F. Carter Heim (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: J. Robert Bradshaw (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Lee Currey (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Fleming (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas J. Miller PhD (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Todd B. Morgan (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $198K, to Jana L Davis PHD (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Chesapeake Bay Trust
How much does Chesapeake Bay Trust give each year?
Chesapeake Bay Trust gave $21.5M across 267 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $21.1M across 1 grant.
What is Chesapeake Bay Trust's typical grant size?
Chesapeake Bay Trust's median grant in 2025 was $34,006, and its average grant was $80,550, across 267 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chesapeake Bay Trust give grants?
Chesapeake Bay Trust gives mostly in Maryland: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (49 grants), Washington, DC (23 grants), Annapolis, MD (17 grants) and Silver Spring, MD (7 grants).
Does Chesapeake Bay Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 267 grants with a stated purpose on Chesapeake Bay Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Stewardship and Restoration" (137 grants), "Restoration" (68 grants) and "Community Stewardship" (32 grants).
Who are Chesapeake Bay Trust's largest grantees?
Chesapeake Bay Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Baltimore Tree Trust ($2,274,240), Prince George's County Maryland ($1,085,000) and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay ($928,350), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chesapeake Bay Trust?
Chesapeake Bay Trust reported $52.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $36.0M.
What does Chesapeake Bay Trust fund?
The Trust’s grantmaking supports environmental education, demonstration-based restoration, and community engagement. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust?
Chesapeake Bay Trust has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cbtrust.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chesapeake Bay Trust's EIN?
Chesapeake Bay Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1454182. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chesapeake Bay Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chesapeake-bay-trust-morg_ae9dbbe24a604c8a87eb7ae40c9fd877
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521454182_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chesapeake Bay Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chesapeake-bay-trust-morg_ae9dbbe24a604c8a87eb7ae40c9fd877},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Chesapeake Bay Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Chesapeake Bay Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?