Environmental Research & Education Foundation
Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) is a public charity based in Raleigh, North Carolina. It supports scientific research, education, scholarships, and data analysis related to sustainable waste and materials management, including research grants to universities and other research institutions.
Environmental Research & Education Foundation at a glance
In short: Environmental Research & Education Foundation gave $739K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), top state North Carolina. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $739,352
- -39.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,075
- -35.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,100
- Total assets
- $18,305,562
- +18.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (3 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (32% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Environmental Research & Education Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 1000 Social St Suite 320, Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 861-6876
Website: https://erefdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Environmental Research & Education Foundation
EREF Grants
Environmental Research & Education Foundation
Amount
US $15,000 - US $500,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
EREF Research Grants Program
Environmental Research & Education Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
EREF Scholarship Program Grant
Environmental Research & Education Foundation
Amount
Up to US $16,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Environmental Research & Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Ohio State University ($182K). Together the top 10 received $714K.
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 103 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
EREF is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2024, its grant dollars went to recipients in several states; the largest reported shares were North Carolina (32%), Ohio (25%), and Nevada (20%), followed by Florida (8%) and Connecticut (5%). The research and scholarship program listings give a United States geographic scope, while the scholarship listing also says students outside the United States or studying abroad receive equal consideration.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Environmental Research & Education Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 12 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $75K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $39K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $739K (2024) to $1.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $739K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Control and mitigation of persistent herbicides in msw composts | $182,400 |
| University of Nevada Reno, NV | Selective carbon dioxide capture and conversion from landfill gas | $149,885 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC | Determination of microplastics counts in leachate from us landfills | $89,611 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Cost and climate change impacts of waste valorization pathways for decarbonizing the us msw systems | $38,800 |
| University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL | Comparison of field measurements to methane emissions models at msw landfills | $36,800 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | Development of test methods to characterize heat production from special wastes disposed in landfills | $35,201 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | Development of recognizable recycled paper based containerboard products and their ability to promote positive brand recognition | $33,000 |
| University of South Carolina Columbia, SC | Development of database and analytic tools for identification of causal factors associated with fatalities for solid waste collection and post collection processes | $28,942 |
| Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO | Evaluation and management of high-moisture waste disposal in msw landfills | $23,499 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | Recovering high-value acids from anaerobic co-digestion of municipal solid and grease interceptor waste using an electrically driven separation process | $16,700 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18,305,562 | $9,393,318 | $7,583,363 | $739,352 | 18 | $668,646 |
| 2023 | $15,438,533 | $8,049,286 | $6,710,636 | $1,211,290 | 19 | $580,568 |
| 2022 | $13,616,417 | $5,880,082 | $4,379,236 | $969,916 | 14 | $376,254 |
| 2021 | $14,221,354 | $4,055,020 | $3,257,627 | $1,224,311 | 26 | $614,138 |
| 2020 | $12,408,602 | $3,045,139 | $2,506,650 | $884,071 | 26 | $387,265 |
| 2019 | $10,585,625 | $2,679,516 | $2,761,993 | $961,720 | 18 | $322,583 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
EREF’s stated mission is to advance scientific research and create educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable materials management practices. Its strategic priorities cover greenhouse gas emissions; emerging contaminants, including PFAS; and materials circularity and recycling. The foundation identifies research topics such as measuring and reducing emissions, understanding contaminant impacts and management, and assessing circularity policies and trade-offs.
EREF funds research projects and awards scholarships to master’s and doctoral students studying fields directly related to waste management. Its filing also describes a data analysis program that aggregates and analyzes solid waste industry data, and continuing education through online courses, webinars, and regional summits.
Among its 2024 grantees, the University of South Carolina Business Partnership Foundation describes its mission as supporting research in business and economic problems and helping conduct educational conferences. Colorado State University’s research-support organization, CSU STRATA, says it aids the research and educational efforts of the Colorado State University System. Florida Polytechnic University Foundation says it helps sustain the university’s STEM-focused educational mission, and the California State University Long Beach Research Foundation says it supports university research, entrepreneurship, community service, and sponsored programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, EREF reported 18 grants totaling $739,352. Grant amounts ranged from $3,703 to $182,400, with a median grant of $20,100. Its largest awards included $182,400 to The Ohio State University for research on persistent herbicides in municipal solid waste composts; $149,885 to the University of Nevada for carbon capture and conversion from landfill gas; and $89,611 to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for research on microplastics in landfill leachate.
Other 2024 awards included $38,800 to Yale University for analysis of waste valorization pathways and climate impacts; $36,800 to the University of North Florida for comparison of field measurements with landfill methane emissions models; and $35,201 to North Carolina State University for test methods to characterize heat production from special wastes in landfills.
EREF’s research grant program is described as using a two-stage application process, beginning with a pre-proposal followed by a full proposal. The filing says research grants are submitted by grantees for board approval; approved projects proceed under a contract, with payments tied to project progress and a final research report required before the final payment. The research grant program listing identifies universities and research institutions as eligible applicants.
EREF’s scholarship awards are for individuals, not grants to outside organizations. The filing says applicants must be pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in a field directly related to waste management; renewals depend on satisfactory progress as determined by the student’s academic advisor. EREF’s scholarship program listing describes awards of up to $16,000 and says applications from students outside the United States or studying abroad receive equal consideration.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Patrick Carroll as immediate past chairman and Tara Hemmer as secretary/treasurer. It lists James Walsh, Derek Veenhof, Joseph G Ursuy, Michael Savage, Henry Saint Bris, Paul R Mitchener, Michael McLaughlin, and Kristin Kinder as directors.
Environmental Research & Education Foundation is led by Bryan F. Staley, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 5 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bryan F. Staley
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$277K (2019) → $394K (2024)
Ven Poole
Chairman
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice Chairman, 2020
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Boxman
Director of Programs
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $127K (2024)
Stephanie Hollomon
Director of Administration
Director of Administration & Finance → Director of Administration, 2024
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$113K (2023) → $104K (2024)
Bill Caesar
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry Saint Bris
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Casella
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph G. Ursuy
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Savage
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul R. Mitchener
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Dols
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Walsh
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Arambula
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Veenhof
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Kinder
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael McLaughlin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Stauder
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Kusterer
Vice President of Development
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$136K (2021) → $179K (2024)
Caitlin Conklin
Vice President of Engagement
Director of Engagement → Vice President of Engagement, 2024
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $141K (2024)
James M. Little
Vice Chairman
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2020
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tara Hemmer
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Carroll
Immediate Past Chairman
Chairman → Immediate Past Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Bruce Wilson (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Julia Watsford (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Nelson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: William Caesar (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard Burke (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: James Dowland (2020–2021) — Past Chairman
- Former: Kevin Walbridge (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Leonard E. Joyce Jr. (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Marty Bryant (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jim Dowland (2019) — Chairman
- Former: Jim Walsh (2019) — Director
- Former: Michael J. De Castro (2019) — Director
- Former: Pat Carroll (2019) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Tim Benter (2019) — Director
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $394K, to Bryan F Staley (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Environmental Research & Education Foundation
How much does Environmental Research & Education Foundation give each year?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation gave $739K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 19 grants.
What is Environmental Research & Education Foundation's typical grant size?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,100, and its average grant was $41,075, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Environmental Research & Education Foundation that year got $22K on average.
Where does Environmental Research & Education Foundation give grants?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation's top state is North Carolina, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Ohio (25%) and Nevada (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (6 grants) and Jacksonville, FL (2 grants).
Does Environmental Research & Education Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Environmental Research & Education Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Environmental Research & Education Foundation's largest grantees?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Ohio State University ($182,400), University of Nevada ($149,885) and North Carolina State University ($128,292 across 6 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Environmental Research & Education Foundation?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation reported $18.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.4M.
What does Environmental Research & Education Foundation fund?
EREF’s stated mission is to advance scientific research and create educational pathways that enable innovation in sustainable materials management practices. Its strategic priorities cover greenhouse gas emissions; emerging contaminants, including PFAS; and materials circularity and recycling. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Environmental Research & Education Foundation?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check erefdn.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Environmental Research & Education Foundation's EIN?
Environmental Research & Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1804051. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Environmental Research & Education Foundation funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Environmental Research & Education Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/environmental-research-and-education-foundation-morg_81796e8bbab940deadcc4b6c03b65056
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521804051_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Environmental Research \& Education Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/environmental-research-and-education-foundation-morg_81796e8bbab940deadcc4b6c03b65056},
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 Environmental Research & Education 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.
Environmental Research & Education Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?