Ecotrust
Ecotrust is a Portland, Oregon-based public charity, formed in 1991, that works with communities and partners from California to Alaska on equity, the economy, and the environment. Its work includes supporting stewardship of lands and waters, community-led wealth-building, and regional climate resilience.
Ecotrust at a glance
In short: Ecotrust gave $706K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $39K), mostly in Oregon. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $705,794
- +86.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $39,211
- +24.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,537
- Total assets
- $37,846,706
- +2.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Oregon (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Ecotrust
- Contact
Mailing address: 1140 Se 7Th Ave Ste 150, Portland, OR 97214-4161
Phone: (503) 227-6225
Website: https://ecotrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ecotrust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Native American Youth and Family Center ($163K). Together the top 10 received $586K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 43 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Ecotrust states that it works across the region from California to Alaska. Its website lists Community Asset Development as serving Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington. In 2024, 80% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon, 10% to Washington, 5% to Alaska, and 4% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
How Ecotrust gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $22K (2021) to $706K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $706K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Native American Youth and Family Center Portland, OR | Green Workforce Collaborative Membership and Collaboration | $163,360 |
| Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation Portland, OR | Tribal Forestry Workforce Development | $154,000 |
| Cascade Pacific RC&D Inc Covrallis, OR | Oregon farm to school and school garden network subgrant | $79,474 |
| Black Food Sovereignty Coalition Portland, OR | Food Systems Development Subgrant | $70,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $50,000 |
| Oregon Aquaculture Association Scio, OR | Oregon Coastal Mariculture Collaborative Project | $25,000 |
| Heritage University Toppenish, WA | Tribal Forestry Workforce Development | $22,198 |
| Cal Poly Humbold Sponsored Programs Foundation Arcata, CA | Indigenous Agroforestry Work | $21,189 |
| Salmon Nation Trust Portland, OR | Storytelling Grant | $18,073 |
| Self Enhancement Inc Portland, OR | Green Workforce Collaborative Membership and Collaboration | $17,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ecotrust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reported 18 grants, the 2023 filing 12, and the 2022 filing 4.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $37,846,706 | $9,927,665 | $11,743,783 | $705,794 | 18 | $150,325 |
| 2023 | $37,079,621 | $8,466,994 | $10,868,041 | $378,449 | 12 | $91,092 |
| 2022 | $35,982,239 | $6,081,390 | $9,365,060 | $52,564 | 4 | $41,398 |
| 2021 | $39,375,202 | $8,893,922 | $11,200,000 | $21,902 | 2 | $-132,532 |
| 2020 | $39,396,576 | $8,267,993 | $9,231,117 | $95,442 | 7 | $199,320 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Ecotrust’s stated mission is to collaborate with partners to advance ecologically and culturally restorative, racially and economically just stewardship; build broadly shared, intergenerational wealth; and support regional climate resilience while centering frontline communities. It also describes efforts to become an anti-racist organization with a culture of belonging and a resilient business model.
Its 2024 filing describes programs in events, investments, and knowledge systems. The knowledge systems work includes decision-support tools, spatial and economic analysis, workforce development, measurement and evaluation, and support for partnerships. The filing also describes culturally specific workforce-development services intended to grow Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color’s leadership in land and water stewardship.
Examples of organizations receiving 2024 grants include the Native American Youth and Family Center, whose stated mission is to enrich the lives of Native American youth and families in the Portland metropolitan area through education, community involvement, and culturally specific programming. The Black Food Sovereignty Coalition says its mission is to support Black and Brown communities as owners and movement leaders in food systems, placemaking, and economic development. Northwest Indian College Foundation describes its work as addressing students’ financial gaps, while Heritage University says it works to overcome barriers to higher education and cultivate leadership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Ecotrust reported 18 grants totaling $705,794. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $163,360, with a median of $17,536. The largest awards included $163,360 to the Native American Youth and Family Center for Green Workforce Collaborative membership and collaboration; $154,000 to the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation for tribal forestry workforce development; $79,474 to Cascade Pacific RC&D Inc. for an Oregon farm-to-school and school-garden-network subgrant; and $70,000 to the Black Food Sovereignty Coalition for a food-systems-development subgrant.
Other listed 2024 grants included $50,000 to Northwest Indian College Foundation for scholarships, $25,000 to Oregon Aquaculture Association for an Oregon coastal mariculture collaborative project, and $21,189 to Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation for Indigenous agroforestry work. Ecotrust’s Resilient Food Futures project also reported $75,000 in 2024 microgrants to Portland-area farm businesses. These microgrants are described as supporting producers’ capacity and operations, rather than as a general grant opportunity for outside applicants.
Ecotrust’s website describes a Healthy Food Financing Initiative partnership offering planning grants and low-interest loans with grants to eligible food businesses and retailers; applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Its Community Asset Development program provides technical assistance and integrated capital strategies to community-led projects. CAD’s eligibility criteria include BIPOC leadership, ownership, or governance; a focus on community wealth through an asset; and project readiness requirements. Its criteria state that interest forms are reviewed for relationship or community references, alignment with Ecotrust’s strategic plan and equity, environment, and economy priorities, and team capacity.
For subawards, Ecotrust’s 2024 filing says its staff work with subrecipients to prepare agreements and that subgrantees provide progress updates at intervals specified in the agreement. The filing also says Ecotrust may request additional reports or updates.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cat Goughnour as board chair, Megan Colwell as finance and audit chair, Afton Walsh as capital and fundraising chair, and Kay Little Jr. as Natural Capital Holdings chair. Other board members listed on that filing are Antone Minthorn, Gun Denhart, Jamie Arredondo, Jean Johnson, Lisa Mensah, and Ron Grzywinski.
Ecotrust is led by Ronda Rutledge, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 13 of 28 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ronda Rutledge
Executive Director
Executive Director & President → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $220K (2024)
Cat Goughnour
Board Member & Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2023
Chair → Board Member & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Afton Walsh
Board Member, Capital & Fundraising Chair
Board Member → Board Member, Capital & Fundraising Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Colwell
Board Member, Finance & Audit Chair
Board Member → Board Member, Finance & Audit Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kay Little Jr.
Board Member & Natural Capital Holdings Chair
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Kadish
Managing Director of Finance & Assets
Director of Investment Strategy → Managing Director, 2022
Managing Director → Managing Director of Finance & Assets, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$167K (2020) → $169K (2024)
Jon Bonkoski
Managing Director of Finance & Assets
Senior Director of Coastal Communities → Managing Director of Finance & Assets, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$100K (2023) → $106K (2024)
Neal Sacon
Transactions & Asset Management Director
CFO & Assistant Treasurer → Interim CFO & Assistant Treasurer, 2023
Interim CFO & Assistant Treasurer → Transactions & Asset Management Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$14K (2022) → $127K (2024)
Ryan Hodges
Director of Software Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024)
Spencer Beebe
Former Executive Director
Former Executive Chair → Former Board Chair, 2021
Former Board Chair → Former Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
$96K (2020) → $125K (2024)
Jasmine Cunningham
Secretary
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$20K (2021) → $75K (2024)
Olivia Rebanal
Vice President of Social Enterprise & Community Capital
Vice President → Chief Impact Officier & Interim Executive Director, 2022
Chief Impact Officier & Interim Executive Director → Vice President of Social Enterprise & Community Capital, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$144K (2021) → $185K (2024)
Jamese Kwele
Vice President of Community Resource Mobilization
Vice President of Organizational & Food Systems Equity → Vice President of Community Resource Mobilization, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$122K (2022) → $144K (2024)
Meuy Saetern
Controller
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$122K (2022) → $134K (2024)
Kara Briggs
Vice President for Tribal Lands & Waters Stewardship
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$138K (2024)
Lily Abood Taylar
Vice President of Development & Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$140K (2024)
Yankuic Galvan-Miyoshi
Data Scientist & Geospatial
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024)
Antone Minthorn
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bobbie Conner
Board Member
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gun Denhart
Board Member
Co-Chair → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Johnson
Board Member
Board Member → Board Member & Co-Chair Til, 2023
Board Member & Co-Chair Til → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Grzywinski
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Arredondo
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Mensah
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ali Davis
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gabe Sheoships
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Dyer
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shima Salehi
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (33)
- Former: Lily Abood (2020–2023) — Vice President of Development & Engagement
- Former: Robert E. Friedman (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Roberta Conner (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ronald Grzywinski (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Alexandria McBride (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: David Diaz (2022–2023) — Director of Forestry Technology & Analytics
- Former: Sara Pietka (2022–2023) — Director of Community Investments
- Former: David Pollard (2023) — Senior Software Developer
- Former: Elise Lufkin (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jeremy Barnicle (2020–2022) — Executive Director, President & CEO
- Former: Kat Taylor (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Bumatay (2020–2022) — CFO, COO & Interim Executive Director
- Former: Mark Edlen (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Susie Lee (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ken Delaski (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David Chen (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa Watt (2022) — Director of Indigenous Leadership
- Former: Alexandra McBridge (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Amrita Vatsal (2020–2021) — Managing Director & Efm
- Former: Bettina Von Hagen (2020–2021) — CEO & Efm
- Former: David Montgomery (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Katherine White (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: William Neukom (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Christopher Sweeney (2021) — COO, Managing Director & Efm
- Former: Brent Davies (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Chris Sweeny (2020) — Managing Director & COO - Ef
- Former: Cory Carman (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jeanne Kubal (2020) — Vice President
- Former: John Domingo (2020) — Controller
- Former: Mike Mertens (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Nell Newman (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Priscilla Bernard Wieden (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Warren (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $220K, to Ronda Rutledge (Executive Director). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ecotrust
How much does Ecotrust give each year?
Ecotrust gave $706K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $378K across 12 grants.
What is Ecotrust's typical grant size?
Ecotrust's median grant in 2024 was $17,537, and its average grant was $39,211, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Ecotrust give grants?
Ecotrust gives mostly in Oregon: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (10%) and Alaska (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (7 grants).
Does Ecotrust give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Ecotrust's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Indigenous Leadership Awards Honorarium" (4 grants), "Green Workforce Collaborative Membership and Collaboration" (4 grants) and "Tribal Forestry Workforce Development" (3 grants).
Who are Ecotrust's largest grantees?
Ecotrust's largest 2024 grantees include Native American Youth and Family Center ($163,360), Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation ($154,000) and Cascade Pacific RC&D Inc ($79,474), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ecotrust?
Ecotrust reported $37.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.9M.
What does Ecotrust fund?
Ecotrust’s stated mission is to collaborate with partners to advance ecologically and culturally restorative, racially and economically just stewardship; build broadly shared, intergenerational wealth; and support regional climate resilience while centering frontline communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ecotrust?
Ecotrust has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ecotrust.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Ecotrust's EIN?
Ecotrust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1050144. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ecotrust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Ninety-Nine Girlfriends
Portland, OR
To build a community of diverse women who give collectively and learn collaboratively to become more informed and engaged philanthropists.
Assets
$158K
Grants
8
Total Given
$300K
Northwest Health Foundation Fund II
Portland, OR
Northwest Health Foundation Fund II supports health equity and community-led work in civic engagement, health policy, disability justice, public safety, and related health and education efforts, mainly in Oregon and Washington. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $1,237,500, with a median of $30,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.1M
Grants
27
Total Given
$3.3M
Seeding Justice
Portland, OR
Seeding Justice funds grassroots movements and emerging organizations working on racial, environmental, reproductive, and other justice issues, with a focus on community power and addressing root causes. Its typical grant is about $20,000; grants support Oregon-based work and projects in the Columbia River Basin and other communities.
Assets
$29.3M
Grants
153
Total Given
$5.8M
Meyer Memorial Trust
Portland, OR
Meyer Memorial Trust funds community-led work advancing racial, social, and economic justice, including efforts in education, climate, community economies, and support for Black, Native, immigrant, and refugee communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, and 93% of grant dollars went to Oregon recipients. It offers open and invited opportunities, but says it will not open a general application call in 2026; check its website for current opportunities.
Assets
$901.2M
Grants
388
Total Given
$45.2M
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
Portland, OR
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette funds early learning, housing stability, disaster resilience, volunteerism, and civic engagement, with a focus on equity and community needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,168 to $1,565,638, with a median of $27,326, and primarily supported work in Oregon; its service area also includes parts of Washington and Central Oregon. The 2024–2026 Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund accepted applications, but that application period is closed; no general unsolicited-request policy is stated.
Assets
$43.1M
Grants
133
Total Given
$15.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Oregon
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ecotrust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ecotrust-morg_2c79af3e2fb248a2b236d173781153f6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_931050144_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ecotrust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ecotrust-morg_2c79af3e2fb248a2b236d173781153f6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Ecotrust'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.
Ecotrust down — hundreds of funders to go?