The Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization based in Berkeley, California that works to build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay and beyond. The organization operates three weekly farmers' markets in Berkeley that connect California farmers directly with consumers, serves thousands of low-income families through its Market Match program (which doubled nearly $10M in purchasing power for fresh, local foods in 2024), runs the Youth Environmental Academy to build climate literacy among youth scholars, provides zero waste resources and education including Berkeley's curbside recycling program, and offers various sustainability classes and events through its EcoHouse facility.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.8M
+16.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.6M
+21.0% YoY
Grant Count
50
-2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$212K
+23.4% YoY
About Ecology Center
Based on IRS filings
Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in BERKELEY, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $8.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 50 grants totaling $10.6M. Net investment income was $47K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,844,960 | $7,563,699 | $7,578,376 |
| Revenue | $18,141,347 | $15,921,962 | $14,736,227 |
| Expenses | $17,773,012 | $15,575,637 | $14,821,226 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $46,503 | $30,439 | $16,895 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association ($1,905,840), Heart of the City Farmers' Market ($1,715,135), Urban Village Farmers' Mkt Ass ($1,057,215).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 29 PALMS CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $13,371 |
| AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN SAN RAFAEL, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $833,501 |
| AGRICULTURE & LAND-BASED TRAINING SALINAS, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $315,783 |
| ALCHEMIST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMEN SACRAMENTO, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $915,603 |
| BROWNSVILLE FARMERS MARKET BROWNSVILLE, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $5,575 |
| FOODWISE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $78,068 |
| CITY OF RIALTO RIALTO, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $10,939 |
| ERIN TORMEY DBA COASTSIDE FARMERS' MARKETS HALF MOON BAY, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $34,335 |
| CRESCENT CITY DOWNTOWN DIVAS CRESCENT CITY, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $6,243 |
| CSU CHICO RESEARCH FOUNDATION CHICO, CA | FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM | $160,601 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBECCA PRAGER | BOARD PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| KAD SMITH | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| PETER SCHULTZE-ALLEN | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| CRAIG DITTMANN | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| NAOMI TORRES | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | — |
| SUE CHAING | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | — |
| MARTIN BOURQUE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $182,971 |
| BEN MAH | RECYLING DRIVER | 40 | $124,295 |
| REYES SANDOVAL | RECYLING DRIVER | 40 | $115,776 |
| ENCARNACION RIVERA | RECYLING DRIVER | 40 | $105,348 |
| OSCAR MORENO | RECYLING DRIVER | 40 | $104,502 |
| MIGUEL NAVVARO | RECYLING DRIVER | 40 | $100,602 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ecology Center?
Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in BERKELEY, CA. It holds $8.8M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Ecology Center?
As of 2024, Ecology Center holds $8.8M in total assets with $18.1M in annual revenue. It awarded 50 grants totaling $10.6M in 2024.
Where does Ecology Center operate?
Ecology Center has awarded grants in California.
What size grants does Ecology Center award?
In 2024, Ecology Center awarded 50 grants totaling $10.6M — an average of about $212K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Ecology Center's EIN?
Ecology Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1703351. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ecology Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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