Governors Highway Safety Association
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a Washington, DC-based public charity representing state and territorial highway safety offices. It supports highway safety through leadership, advocacy, partnerships, research, member services and grants to safety organizations and public agencies.
Governors Highway Safety Association at a glance
In short: Governors Highway Safety Association gave $552K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), top state Missouri. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $551,610
- +75.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $30,645
- +16.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,153
- Total assets
- $18,188,029
- +5.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (7 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (17% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Governors Highway Safety Association
- Contact
Mailing address: 660 North Capitol Street Nw 220, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 789-0942
Website: https://ghsa.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Governors Highway Safety Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Missouri Department of Transportation ($92K). Together the top 10 received $450K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 61 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GHSA is based in Washington, DC. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Missouri (17%), Virginia (16%), Maryland (14%), Washington (10%) and Idaho (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Governors Highway Safety Association open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 18 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $192K (2023) to $1.8M (2021). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $552K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Department of Transportation Jefferson City, MO | Safety Grant Partnerships | $91,875 |
| Washington Regional Alcohol Program McClean, VA | Safety Grant Partnerships | $88,750 |
| Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Glen Burnie, MD | Safety Grant Partnerships | $75,310 |
| Washington Traffic Safety Commission Olympia, WA | Safety Grant Partnerships | $56,250 |
| Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Alexandria, KY | Safety Grant Partnerships | $28,750 |
| Ohio Department of Public Safety Columbus, OH | Safety Grant Partnerships | $27,544 |
| Montana Department of Transportation Helena, MT | Safety Grant Partnerships | $25,000 |
| Vermont Criminal Justice Council Montpelier, VT | Safety Grant Partnerships | $20,000 |
| Fredric Rieders Family Foundation Horsham, PA | Safety Grant Partnerships | $19,980 |
| Teton County Sheriff's Office Driggs, ID | Safety Grant Partnerships | $16,326 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,188,029 | $9,982,159 | $9,012,258 | $551,610 | 18 | $270,375 |
| 2024 | $17,256,673 | $8,580,089 | $8,261,936 | $314,701 | 12 | $228,031 |
| 2023 | $13,591,992 | $6,095,366 | $6,355,291 | $192,000 | 14 | $119,238 |
| 2022 | $9,639,746 | $5,191,852 | $5,318,867 | $585,367 | 10 | $377,961 |
| 2021 | $8,500,466 | $3,762,405 | $4,096,862 | $1,787,027 | 7 | $89,056 |
| 2020 | $7,531,560 | $4,672,257 | $4,374,369 | $1,367,594 | 7 | $107,508 |
| 2019 | $3,627,726 | $8,697,024 | $8,399,315 | — | — | $44,103 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
GHSA’s mission is to provide leadership and advocacy for states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its stated areas of focus include occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, drowsy, distracted and aggressive driving, motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and highway safety information systems.
GHSA reports programs in behavioral traffic safety research; industry research, data, education and member services; and an annual meeting. Its 2025 grants were listed as “Safety Grant Partnerships.” Recipients included government transportation and public safety agencies, law enforcement, and nonprofit organizations. For example, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program says its mission is to combat drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington metropolitan region. The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists says it works to prevent deaths and injuries caused by intoxicated or distracted motorists and assist impaired-driving crash victims and their families in Illinois.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, GHSA reported 18 grants totaling $551,610. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $91,875, with a median of $18,153. The largest awards included $91,875 to the Missouri Department of Transportation, $88,750 to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, $75,310 to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and $56,250 to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission; each was designated for Safety Grant Partnerships.
Other listed 2025 awards included $28,750 to the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, $27,544 to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, $25,000 to the Montana Department of Transportation, $20,000 to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, $19,980 to the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation and $16,326 to the Teton County Sheriff’s Office. The Treatment Court Advocacy Center received $14,950; it describes its work as supporting participants in a county treatment court as they move toward a sober lifestyle. Thrive Umpqua received $12,500 and describes itself as a community-led initiative supporting efforts to improve well-being. The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists received $10,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jonathan R. Adkins as chief executive officer and Lisa Wagner as chief financial officer. Other listed staff are Pamela Fischer, senior director of external engagement; Kerry Chausmer, director of programs and member services; and Adam Karl Snider, director of communications.
The filing lists Michael Hanson as vice chair until September 2024 and chair thereafter; Amy Davey as secretary until September 2024 and vice chair thereafter; and Lisa Freeman as member until September 2024 and secretary thereafter. Barbara L. Rooney is listed as chair until September 2024, and Tom Glass as treasurer.
Governors Highway Safety Association is led by Jonathan R. Adkins, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 5 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jonathan R. Adkins
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Direcctor → Executive Director, 2022
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$221K (2019) → $312K (2025)
Barbara L. Rooney
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair & Region Representative, 2023
Chair & Region Representative → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Fischer
Senior Director of External Engagement
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$149K (2021) → $180K (2025)
Adam Karl Snider
Director of Communications
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$110K (2022) → $124K (2025)
Kerry Chausmer Director
Of Programs & Member Services
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$139K (2022) → $142K (2025)
Lisa Wagner
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$118K (2023) → $191K (2025)
Carol Gould
Board Member
Region → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Saunders
Board Member
Region Designate → Region Representative, 2023
Region Representative → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karson James
Board Member
Region Alternate → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Stewart
Board Member
Secretary → Vice Chair & Region Representative, 2023
Vice Chair & Region Representative → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Ezzell
Board Member
Region Alternate → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Harris
Board Member
Region Alternate → Region Designate, 2020
Region Designate → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Glass
Treasurer
Region Alternate → Region Designate, 2022
Region Designate → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Cristalli
Board Member
Region Designate → Region Representative, 2023
Region Representative → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Nelson
Board Member
Region Designate → Region Representative, 2023
Region Representative → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Kovarik
Board Member
Region Alternate → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Flynn
Board Member
Region Alternate → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Ivey
Board Member
Region Alternate → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shelly Baldwin
Board Member
Region Alternate → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christy Timbrell
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edica Esqueda
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Torrez
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Schwendau
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Davey Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Bell
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Kotowski
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Herman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Letty Von Rossum Board Member
From Sep.
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Freeman Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Hanson Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Birt
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (41)
- Former: Amy Davey (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Russell Martin (2020–2024) — Senior Director of Gov't Relations
- Former: Janet Kenny (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa Freeman (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Hanson (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Licet Gaveau (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Lora Hollingsworth (2019–2023) — Region Representative
- Former: Daphne O'Neal (2021–2023) — Region Alternate
- Former: Carrie Silcox (2022–2023) — Region Representative
- Former: Emily Davidson (2023) — Region Alternate
- Former: Jonathan R. Adkins Executive (2023) — Director
- Former: Kari Benes (2023) — Region Alternate
- Former: Chuck Deweese (2019–2022) — Chair
- Former: Denise Alston (2019–2022) — Director of Finance & Administration
- Former: Franklin Garcia (2020–2022) — Region Alternate
- Former: Michael Schwendau (2020–2022) — Region Designate
- Former: Cecilia Javier (2021–2022) — Region Alternate
- Former: Christopher Vetter (2021–2022) — Region Alternate
- Former: Phil Riley (2021–2022) — Region Alternate
- Former: Barbara Rooney Vice Chair (2022) — Region Designate
- Former: Lauren Stewart Secretary (2022) — Region Designate
- Former: John Tomlinson (2019–2021) — Region Designate
- Former: Chris Bortz (2019–2020) — Region Designate
- Former: Jeff Larason (2019–2020) — Region Alternate
- Former: Kara Macek (2019–2020) — Research & Program Consultant
- Former: Lee Axdahl (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Rhonda Craft (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Adam Gabany (2020) — Region Alternate
- Former: Alberto Gutier (2020) — Region Alternate
- Former: Eric Heitmann (2020) — Region Designate
- Former: Traci Pearl (2020) — Region Alternate
- Former: Darrin Grondel (2019) — Chair
- Former: Felice Moretti (2019) — Region
- Former: Mike Prince (2019) — Region Alternate
- Former: Mike Sandoval (2019) — Region
- Former: Pat Hoye (2019) — Region Alternate
- Former: Robert Lung (2019) — Region
- Former: Russ Martin (2019) — Director of Policy & Government Relations
- Former: Troy Costales (2019) — Region Alternate
- Former: Vic Donoho (2019) — Region
- Former: William Haynes (2019) — Region Alternate
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $312K, to Jonathan R Adkins (Chief Executive Officer). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Governors Highway Safety Association
How much does Governors Highway Safety Association give each year?
Governors Highway Safety Association gave $552K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $315K across 12 grants.
What is Governors Highway Safety Association's typical grant size?
Governors Highway Safety Association's median grant in 2025 was $18,153, and its average grant was $30,645, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Governors Highway Safety Association that year got $17K on average.
Where does Governors Highway Safety Association give grants?
Governors Highway Safety Association's top state is Missouri, with 17% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Virginia (16%) and Maryland (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boise, ID (2 grants).
Does Governors Highway Safety Association give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Governors Highway Safety Association's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Safety Grant Partnerships" (18 grants).
Who are Governors Highway Safety Association's largest grantees?
Governors Highway Safety Association's largest 2025 grantees include Missouri Department of Transportation ($91,875), Washington Regional Alcohol Program ($88,750) and Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration ($75,310), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Governors Highway Safety Association?
Governors Highway Safety Association reported $18.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.0M.
What does Governors Highway Safety Association fund?
GHSA’s mission is to provide leadership and advocacy for states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Governors Highway Safety Association?
Governors Highway Safety Association has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ghsa.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Governors Highway Safety Association's EIN?
Governors Highway Safety Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1021004. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 20, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Governors Highway Safety Association funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Governors Highway Safety Association funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/governors-highway-safety-association-morg_4a64fdb0944f4f8995e651bc5b7186eb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521021004_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Governors Highway Safety Association funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/governors-highway-safety-association-morg_4a64fdb0944f4f8995e651bc5b7186eb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Governors Highway Safety Association'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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