Edwards Mother Earth Foundation
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Established in Washington state in 1997, it supports work related to climate change and sustainability, including agroforestry, climate mitigation and adaptation, and energy efficiency.
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation at a glance
In short: Edwards Mother Earth Foundation gave $1.9M across 50 grants in 2024 (avg $38K), top state Virginia. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,905,712
- +9.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 50
- -32.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $38,114
- +62.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,250
- Total assets
- $30,402,937
- -2.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (19 of 47, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (43% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Edwards Mother Earth Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It invites brief inquiries from organizations that believe their work closely aligns with its priorities; inquiries should explain the fit, and the foundation may not respond to every inquiry.
- Review Cycle
- The published RFP deadline of August 27, 2021, has passed.
- Deadline
- The published RFP deadline of August 27, 2021, has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://edwardsmotherearth.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Edwards Mother Earth Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rodale Institute ($450K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
320 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 291 grants of 320 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 43% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia, 24% to Pennsylvania, 21% to New York, 5% to Washington, and 4% to Oregon. These figures describe the distribution of that year’s grant dollars by recipient state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Edwards Mother Earth Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 47 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $62K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 44% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $1.3M (2021) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 50 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Sustainable Development Duffield, VA | agroforestry technical assistance for forest farming, alley cropping, and silvopasture | $425,394 |
| Cooperative Extension Association in the State of Ithaca, NY | the adoption of agroforestry-based chestnut and hazelnut cultivation in New York State | $400,000 |
| Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA | Propagate Ventures | $400,000 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universit Blacksburg, VA | Catalyzing the Next Phase of Agroforestry - Building upon Proven Programs to Rapidly Expand Application, Enhance Ecosystem Services, and Advance Regional Justice - Continuation | $397,295 |
| Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA | Pacific Northwest Organic Center - Intercropping and Silvopasturing with Hazelnuts and Sheep | $50,323 |
| Agroforestry Northwest Bothell, WA | Accelerating Agroforestry in the Pacific Northwest | $50,000 |
| Ecotrust Portland, OR | the Indigenous Agroforestry Network | $50,000 |
| Spring of Evolution Inc Acton, CA | West Den Habitat Restoration Project | $24,000 |
| Whiteswan Environmental We Bellingham, WA | Xaxe Tenew Sacred Land Society | $12,000 |
| Tilth Alliance Seattle, WA | Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reported 50 grants; the 2023 filing reported 74, and the 2022 filing reported 60.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $30,402,937 | $2,034,005 | $2,697,406 | $1,905,712 | 50 | $2,231,806 | $1,625,918 | $2,011,162 |
| 2023 | $31,066,338 | $1,792,357 | $2,486,044 | $1,736,024 | 74 | $2,009,503 | $1,337,009 | $2,300,671 |
| 2022 | $31,760,025 | $1,825,440 | $2,388,312 | $1,564,444 | 60 | $2,032,133 | $1,281,603 | $1,913,953 |
| 2021 | $32,322,897 | $4,118,973 | $2,049,491 | $1,322,468 | 67 | $1,820,244 | $3,781,018 | $2,067,613 |
| 2020 | $30,253,415 | $918,835 | $2,001,987 | $1,399,520 | 69 | — | $610,568 | $1,826,491 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edwards Mother Earth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated philanthropic mission is to address global climate disruption while enhancing the sustainable and diverse quality of life. Its website identifies climate change and energy efficiency as grant program areas. It describes climate work as including mitigation and adaptation, and energy-efficiency work as including policy, green building, and renewable and clean energy initiatives.
Agroforestry is a significant focus in the foundation’s grantmaking. Its website describes five primary agroforestry practices: alley cropping, forest farming, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, and windbreaks. In 2024, the foundation’s largest grants included support for agroforestry technical assistance, chestnut and hazelnut cultivation, and agroforestry research and expansion.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work among grantees. Appalachian Sustainable Development describes its mission as educating residents and farmers in southwest Virginia and East Tennessee about organic farming and forestry conservation. Rodale Institute says it advances regenerative organic agriculture through research, farmer training, and education. Ecotrust describes work at the intersection of equity, the economy, and the environment, including stewardship of lands and waters. Tilth Alliance says it works toward an ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially equitable food system.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 50 grants totaling $1,905,712. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $425,394, with a median of $2,250. In 2023, it reported 74 grants totaling $1,736,024. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 50 grants totaling $1.9 million.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $425,394 to Appalachian Sustainable Development for agroforestry technical assistance; $400,000 to the Cooperative Extension Association in the State of New York for adoption of agroforestry-based chestnut and hazelnut cultivation; $400,000 to Rodale Institute for Propagate Ventures; and $397,295 to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for a continuation of its agroforestry program. Other 2024 awards included $50,000 to Agroforestry Northwest for accelerating agroforestry in the Pacific Northwest and $50,000 to Ecotrust for the Indigenous Agroforestry Network.
The foundation says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website invites brief inquiries from organizations whose work closely aligns with its priorities, but notes that it may not be able to respond to every inquiry. A request for proposals with a deadline of August 27, 2021, was a past funding cycle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Andrew M Bell, president and director; Kelsey Reinertson, director and secretary; and directors Megan Allen, Scott Baker, Deborah Bell, Johanna M Bell, Otis Bell, Penelope Bell, Bryce Edwards, and Tawny Keene.
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation is led by Andrew M Bell, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2021); all 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrew M Bell
President & Director
Director & Secretary → Secretary, President & Director, 2023
Secretary, President & Director → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $2K (2024)
John Ryan
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$400 (2020) → $2K (2024)
Kelsey Reinertson
Director & Secretary
Director & Secretary → Director, Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Director, Secretary & Treasurer → Director & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$400 (2020) → $2K (2024)
Penelope Bell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Johanna M Bell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$400 (2022) → $2K (2024)
Sutter Wehmeier
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$400 (2022) → $2K (2024)
Tawny Keene
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$400 (2022) → $4K (2024)
Bryce Edwards
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$600 (2023) → $2K (2024)
Otis Bell
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$1K (2023) → $2K (2024)
Deborah Bell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$2K (2024)
Megan Allen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$1K (2024)
Scott Baker
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$600 (2024)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Brian E Rayl (2020–2023) — Director & President
- Former: Eric Rayl (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lauren Bell (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Patricia Ann Guenther (2020–2023) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Tara Reinertson (2020–2022) — Director & President
- Former: Heather Martin (2020–2021) — Dir* & Vp*
- Former: Megan Baker (2020–2021) — Director
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 $4K, to Tawny Keene (DIR). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Edwards Mother Earth Foundation
How much does Edwards Mother Earth Foundation give each year?
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation gave $1.9M across 50 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 74 grants.
What is Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's typical grant size?
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,250, and its average grant was $38,114, across 50 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Edwards Mother Earth Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Edwards Mother Earth Foundation give grants?
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (24%) and New York (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (8 grants), Seattle, WA (8 grants), Knoxville, TN (4 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Edwards Mother Earth Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (30 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Event" (3 grants).
Who are Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's largest grantees?
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Rodale Institute ($450,323 across 2 grants), Appalachian Sustainable Development ($425,394) and Cooperative Extension Association in the State of ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Edwards Mother Earth Foundation?
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation reported $30.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Edwards Mother Earth Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated philanthropic mission is to address global climate disruption while enhancing the sustainable and diverse quality of life. Its website identifies climate change and energy efficiency as grant program areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Edwards Mother Earth Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's EIN?
Edwards Mother Earth Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1789783. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Edwards Mother Earth Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Edwards Mother Earth Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/edwards-mother-earth-foundation-morg_25c1424e84524ffea5f52fd5b20f0136
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911789783_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Edwards Mother Earth Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/edwards-mother-earth-foundation-morg_25c1424e84524ffea5f52fd5b20f0136},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Edwards Mother Earth Foundation'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.
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