Delaware Nature Society Inc logo

Delaware Nature Society Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Hockessin, DE EIN: 51-6018321 Website

Delaware Nature Society connects people with the natural world to improve our environment through education, advocacy, and conservation.

Delaware Nature Society Inc at a glance

In short: Delaware Nature Society Inc gave $134K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in Delaware. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$134,000
+87.5% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
6
+0.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$22,333
+87.5% vs 2023
Median grant
$15,000
Total assets
$51,892,903
+1.5% vs 2023
Primary geography
Delaware (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

How to apply to Delaware Nature Society Inc

Who Delaware Nature Society Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 6 recipients in 2024

Center for the Inland Bays Inc: $59KCenter for the Inland Bays Inc$59KUniversity of Maryland College Park: $25KUniversity of Maryland CollegePark$25KUniversity of Delaware: $20KUniversity of Delaware$20KGo Green Lawn Program: $10KGo Green Lawn Program$10KSouthern NCC Reforestation and Fostering: $10KSouthern NCC Reforestation andFostering$10KSustainable Transportation in Wilmington: $10KSustainable Transportation inWilmington$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Center for the Inland Bays Inc ($59K). Together the top 6 received $134K.

Grant Size Distribution

15 grants across all recorded years

14<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 15 (93%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.

Cities

WilmingtonRehoboth BeachCollege ParkElktonLewesNewarkOdessaPhiladelphia

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K0 grants2019 0 grants2020 0 grants2021 3 grants2022 6 grants2023 6 grants2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2022) to $134K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $134K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Center for the Inland Bays Inc Rehoboth Beach, DESupport environmental and open space projects and community resiliency efforts across Delaware and Maryland$59,000
University of Maryland College Park College Park, MDSupport environmental and open space projects and community resiliency efforts across Delaware and Maryland$25,000
University of Delaware Newark, DESupport environmental and open space projects and community resiliency efforts across Delaware and Maryland$20,000
Go Green Lawn Program Support environmental and open space projects and community resiliency efforts across Delaware and Maryland$10,000
Southern NCC Reforestation and Fostering Support environmental and open space projects and community resiliency efforts across Delaware and Maryland$10,000
Sustainable Transportation in Wilmington Support environmental and open space projects and community resiliency efforts across Delaware and Maryland$10,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Delaware Nature Society Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$51,892,903$4,039,490$5,185,735$134,0006$1,044,442
2023$51,147,493$4,909,855$4,878,923$71,4506$971,646
2022$48,565,750$3,637,027$4,241,037$30,0003$660,497
2021$53,862,296$7,157,698$4,049,408——$1,463,996
2020$49,244,381$3,364,175$3,897,436——$781,090
2019$47,531,412$4,348,530$4,147,402——$702,930

About Delaware Nature Society Inc

Based on IRS filings

Delaware Nature Society Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Hockessin, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $51.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $134K. Net investment income was $1.0M.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Delaware Nature Society Inc is led by Jennifer Adkins, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 2 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Jennifer Adkins

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $88K (2022) → $143K (2024)

  • Tracy Surles

    President

    Vice President → President, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dennis Williams

    Director of Business & Finance

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $96K (2022) → $100K (2024)

  • Dan Barbato

    Vice President

    Vice President → President, 2023

    President → Vice President, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Fred Greenewalt

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kevin Donnelly

    Treasurer

    Board Member → Vice President, 2022

    Vice President → Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mary Peck

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andy Wetherill

    Board Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brad Du Pont

    Board Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Doug Nickel

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kristen Abessinio

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marcus Henry

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Bard

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dana Monzo

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Donna Shumpert

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matthew Ady

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nicholle Taylor

    Secretary

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Marshall

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Benjamin Testerman

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Gregor

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (21)
  • Former: Adele McIntosh (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Dawn Rittenhouse (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Eric Brinsfield (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Marian Young (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Suzanne Smith (2019–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Margaretta Frederick (2021–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Rick Stuckey (2021–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Ellen Kohler (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Nicki Taylor (2019–2022) — Secretary
  • Former: Pam Finkelman (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Roland Wall (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Joanne McGeoch (2021–2022) — Interim Executive Director to
  • Former: Anne Harper (2019–2021) — Executive Director
  • Former: Barbara Greenewalt (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Blair McConnel (2019–2021) — Board Member · Filing note: Through 921
  • Former: Jeff Haas (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Jj Francis (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Mark Carter (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: James Seif (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Sally Feeley (2019) — Secretary
  • Former: Steve Allen (2019) — Board Member

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Jennifer Adkins — Exec. Director: $143KJennifer AdkinsExec. Director$143KDennis Williams — Director of Business and Finance: $100KDennis WilliamsDirector of Business and Finance$100K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $143K, to Jennifer Adkins (Exec. Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Delaware Nature Society Inc

How much does Delaware Nature Society Inc give each year?

Delaware Nature Society Inc gave $134K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $71K across 6 grants.

What is Delaware Nature Society Inc's typical grant size?

Delaware Nature Society Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $22,333, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does Delaware Nature Society Inc give grants?

Delaware Nature Society Inc gives mostly in Delaware: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (19%).

Does Delaware Nature Society Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Delaware Nature Society Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

Who are Delaware Nature Society Inc's largest grantees?

Delaware Nature Society Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Center for the Inland Bays Inc ($59,000), University of Maryland College Park ($25,000) and University of Delaware ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Delaware Nature Society Inc?

Delaware Nature Society Inc reported $51.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.

What is Delaware Nature Society Inc?

Delaware Nature Society Inc is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Hockessin, DE. It holds $51.9M in total assets as of 2024.

What is Delaware Nature Society Inc's EIN?

Delaware Nature Society Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-6018321. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Data update history

(5)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 23, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 3, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 27, 2024)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 4, 2025)
  5. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Delaware Nature Society Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Delaware Community Foundation Inc

Wilmington, DE

Delaware Community Foundation supports nonprofits and students addressing community needs in Delaware, including community-impact projects, capital improvements, and scholarships. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $21,500, though awards varied widely. Applicants are directed to apply through the relevant program’s online portal; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.

Assets

$392.5M

Grants

323

Total Given

$20.4M

Crestlea Foundation Inc

Wilmington, DE

Crestlea Foundation supports nonprofits working in social services, education, health care, arts and culture, the environment, housing, and civic causes, primarily in Delaware and parts of southeastern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its typical grant is about $15,000, with recent awards ranging from $4,250 to $50,000. It accepts applications, but organizations must first meet with foundation staff and receive an access code; annual applications are due January 15.

Assets

$21.7M

Grants

65

Total Given

$1.0M

Greater Washington Community Foundation

Washington, DC

The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits working across areas such as economic opportunity, education, health, arts, and human services, with an emphasis on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it generally funds organizations serving DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and specified Northern Virginia communities; it offers scheduled open competitive grant rounds as well as invite-only opportunities.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$518.3M

Grants

1,417

Total Given

$116.9M

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Washington, DC

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation makes competitive grants for science-based projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $106,500, and it supports projects across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Applications are competitive and program-specific; whether pre-proposals are required varies by program.

Assets

$3.6B

Grants

1,286

Total Given

$464.4M

President and Fellows of Harvard College

Cambridge, MA

Harvard’s grantmaking primarily supports research and education, including research awards and sub-awards to universities, hospitals, and research institutes. In 2025, it reported 352 grants ranging from $5,002 to $27.4 million, with a median of $123,018; recipients were concentrated in Massachusetts, which received 64% of grant dollars. The profile does not state whether Harvard accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$79.9B

Grants

352

Total Given

$273.3M

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Inc

McLean, VA

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia funds nonprofits and schools working in areas such as education, youth development, disability services, mental health, the arts, and the environment. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $15,000, and it serves Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William counties and nearby cities. Applications are submitted through its portal, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$118.7M

Grants

218

Total Given

$7.1M

More similar funders

More Funders in Delaware

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Delaware Nature Society Inc'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.

Delaware Nature Society Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?