Friends of Ballona Wetlands
Championing the restoration and protection of los angeles' last coastal wetland and educating our diverse community as stewards of nature.
Friends of Ballona Wetlands at a glance
In short: Friends of Ballona Wetlands gave $35K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $34,531
- +36.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,266
- +36.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,266
- Total assets
- $1,058,315
- -4.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Friends of Ballona Wetlands funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ballona Discovery Park Partners ($10K).
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,884), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 7 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Friends of Ballona Wetlands gives
- Giving grew 186% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2020) to $35K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $24,884 |
| Ballona Discovery Park Partners Playa Del Rey, CA | Preserve, Protect, and Maintain BDP | $9,647 |
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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 | $1,058,315 | $794,097 | $846,634 | $34,531 | 2 | $57,243 |
| 2023 | $1,101,958 | $912,730 | $845,633 | $25,282 | 2 | $74,764 |
| 2022 | $1,020,997 | $650,196 | $528,567 | $9,188 | 1 | $-60,529 |
| 2021 | $889,802 | $561,329 | $562,809 | $12,083 | 1 | $912 |
| 2020 | $822,676 | $559,309 | $498,494 | $8,750 | 1 | $2,895 |
About Friends of Ballona Wetlands
Based on IRS filings
Friends of Ballona Wetlands is a public charity, based in Playa Del Rey, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $57K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of Ballona Wetlands is led by Scott Culbertson, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 21 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott Culbertson
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$94K (2020) → $115K (2024)
Kenneth Dial
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Tyrrell
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deb Roges
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edith Read
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eloise Appel
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Landry
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Kennedy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Gregory
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Fimiani
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholos O'Deegan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Groner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Hirai
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Gottlieb
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Duane Muller
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mason Orfalea
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Whelan
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Edwards
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neil P. Navin
Treasurer
Vice President → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pippa Drennan
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Lansford
Founder
Director → Founder, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Ali Brown (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 $115K, to Scott Culbertson (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Friends of Ballona Wetlands
How much does Friends of Ballona Wetlands give each year?
Friends of Ballona Wetlands gave $35K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $25K across 2 grants.
How large is Friends of Ballona Wetlands?
Friends of Ballona Wetlands reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $794K.
Where does Friends of Ballona Wetlands operate?
Friends of Ballona Wetlands has awarded grants in California.
What is Friends of Ballona Wetlands's EIN?
Friends of Ballona Wetlands's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3264072. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Friends of Ballona Wetlands's focus areas in our free grants database
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