Horticultural Research Institute Inc
Horticultural Research Institute Inc. (HRI), based in Columbus, Ohio, is a public charity and the research affiliate of AmericanHort. It funds and guides horticultural research focused on issues affecting the green industry, including nursery, greenhouse, retail, and landscape businesses.
Horticultural Research Institute Inc at a glance
In short: Horticultural Research Institute Inc gave $420K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), top state North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $420,000
- +8.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +18.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,308
- -8.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $33,350
- Total assets
- $23,618,142
- +17.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (27% 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 Horticultural Research Institute Inc
- How to Apply
-
Researchers apply through HRI’s competitive grant process. The application requires a project budget, and recipients sign a financial aid agreement before funds are paid.
- Review Cycle
- The FY2027 application cycle was scheduled to run through May 31, 2026. That deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The FY2027 application cycle was scheduled to run through May 31, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2130 Stella Ct, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 487-1117
Website: https://hriresearch.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Horticultural Research Institute Inc
Bryan A. Champion Memorial Scholarship Grant
Horticultural Research Institute Inc
Amount
Up to US $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship Grant
Horticultural Research Institute Inc
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Gunter Mecking Memorial Scholarship
Horticultural Research Institute Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Horticultural Research Institute Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was North Carolina State University ($115K across 3 grants). Together the top 9 received $420K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 52 grants of 56 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
HRI’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were North Carolina (27%), Texas (16%), South Carolina (13%), Michigan (9%), and Tennessee (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Horticultural Research Institute Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). 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 $346K (2020) to $420K (2024). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $420K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | Discover cercis vsd resistance from relative cercis spp for c. Canadensis | $40,000 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | National Green Industry Survey | $40,000 |
| Michigan State University - Grant East Lansing, MI | Improving reception: better detection of rfid plant labels with drone mounted and handheld readers | $37,050 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, TN | Identifying the causal agent and predisposing conditions that facilitate vascular streak dieback in redbud | $35,000 |
| North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC | Evaluation of substrates for suppression of phytophthora root and crown rot on greenhouse ornamentals | $34,650 |
| Oregon State University Corvallis, OR | Sequencing Lilacs to Discover Genes for Remontancy | $34,300 |
| Texas A&M Agrilife Research College Station, TX | Establishing a crispr/cas9-based system for breeding crapemyrtle with improved cold hardiness | $33,350 |
| University of Georgia Athens, GA | Improving management of rose rosette disease by understanding movement behavior of vector, phyllocoptes fructiphilus | $33,200 |
| Texas A&M Agrilife Research College Station, TX | Towards precision insecticide application for sustainable green industry practices by analyzing toxicity, sublethal- and low-dose effects on crapemyrtle bark scale through recording feeding behavior of insects on artificial diet | $32,900 |
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Improving detection and resistance screening of current bacterial pathogen threats to the geranium industry | $32,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Horticultural Research Institute Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,618,142 | $2,990,252 | $1,107,080 | $420,000 | 13 | $1,169,007 |
| 2023 | $20,184,335 | $1,432,610 | $1,084,197 | $388,800 | 11 | $400,735 |
| 2022 | $17,374,160 | $1,163,330 | $991,606 | $383,371 | 12 | $321,662 |
| 2021 | $20,650,624 | $2,143,577 | $824,375 | $363,700 | 12 | $808,188 |
| 2020 | $17,717,179 | $2,020,148 | $756,537 | $345,800 | 8 | $1,463,697 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
HRI’s mission is to direct, fund, promote, and communicate horticultural research that increases the quality and value of plants, improves the productivity and profitability of the nursery and landscape industry, and protects and enhances the environment. Its research priorities include quantifying plant benefits, gathering consumer insights, creating innovative solutions, and producing practical, actionable solutions.
HRI funds research addressing green-industry problems, regulatory issues, and emerging opportunities. Its website describes a focus on research with defined outcomes, practical business advice, and a return on investment for the industry. The organization’s 2024 filing also describes support for student scholarships, the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, and the HRI Leadership Academy.
2024 recipients included universities and university-affiliated organizations. For example, Michigan State University Research Foundation states that it supports Michigan State University’s educational, scientific, charitable, and related activities; the Texas A&M Research Foundation says it facilitates research and development within the Texas A&M University System and selected other entities. Clemson University Foundation describes its work as supporting Clemson’s educational and scientific research purposes.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, HRI reported 13 grants totaling $420,000. Grant amounts ranged from $14,550 to $40,000, with a median of $33,350. HRI says grants are typically between $10,000 and $35,000, though larger awards have been made.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $40,000 to North Carolina State University for research on resistance to vascular streak dieback in redbud, and $40,000 to the university for a national green industry survey. Other awards included $37,050 to Michigan State University – Grant for research on detecting RFID plant labels; $35,000 to Tennessee State University for research on vascular streak dieback in redbud; and $34,300 to Oregon State University for lilac gene sequencing. HRI also awarded $33,350 and $32,900 to Texas A&M AgriLife Research for crape myrtle research.
HRI’s website describes a competitive application and review process. Applications require a research project budget. Funds may be used only for direct project costs, not general or administrative expenses; funding is awarded annually, and recipients must report project outcomes. The website’s stated review process includes scientific merit, board and industry relevance reviews, major donor review, and executive committee review. HRI also lists scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these trustees: Ben Rough, Amy Morris, Bennett Saunders, Denise Mullins, Ed Bemis, Ed Tankard, Jim Eason, John Rausch, Jonathan Jasinski, and Lloyd Traven. The filing states that the board delegates control between meetings to an executive committee composed of trustees who are officers.
Horticultural Research Institute Inc is led by Kenneth J. Fisher, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 25 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kenneth J. Fisher
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leigh Geschwill
President
Trustee → President Elect, 2023
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Tankard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Yelanich PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bennett Saunders
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Bemis
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Rausch
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Rough
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Zampini
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Mezitt
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Overdevest
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Eason
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lloyd Traven
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Sawyer
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Hiller
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Brockshus
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Morris
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Mullins
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Jasinski
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Simon Traskey
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Taber
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Decker
Immediate Past President
President Elect → President, 2023
President → Immediate Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Berry
President- Elect
Trustee → President- Elect, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Batson
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Limbert
Vice President, Operations & Finance
Vice President Americanhort → Vice President, Controller & American Hort, 2023
Vice President, Controller & American Hort → Vice President, Operations & Finance, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Alan Jones (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Harvey Cotten (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Reiner (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Craig Regelbrugge (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President Americanhort
- Former: Ken McVicker (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Mark Krautmann (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Danny Gouge (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Danny Takao (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Gary Knosher (2020–2021) — Past-President
- Former: Kay Jeong (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Matt Kramer (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer Dejager (2020) — Past-President
- Former: Ka Yeon Jeong (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Lorence Wenke (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Kramer (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Jones Jr. (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Stephen Mostardi (2020) — President
- Former: Todd Davis (2020) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about Horticultural Research Institute Inc
How much does Horticultural Research Institute Inc give each year?
Horticultural Research Institute Inc gave $420K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $389K across 11 grants.
What is Horticultural Research Institute Inc's typical grant size?
Horticultural Research Institute Inc's median grant in 2024 was $33,350, and its average grant was $32,308, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Horticultural Research Institute Inc give grants?
Horticultural Research Institute Inc's top state is North Carolina, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (16%) and South Carolina (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (3 grants), College Station, TX (2 grants) and Clemson, SC (2 grants).
Does Horticultural Research Institute Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Horticultural Research Institute Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Horticultural Research Institute Inc's largest grantees?
Horticultural Research Institute Inc's largest 2024 grantees include North Carolina State University ($114,650 across 3 grants), Texas A&M Agrilife Research ($66,250 across 2 grants) and Clemson University ($53,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Horticultural Research Institute Inc?
Horticultural Research Institute Inc reported $23.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.0M.
What does Horticultural Research Institute Inc fund?
HRI’s mission is to direct, fund, promote, and communicate horticultural research that increases the quality and value of plants, improves the productivity and profitability of the nursery and landscape industry, and protects and enhances the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Horticultural Research Institute Inc?
Researchers apply through HRI’s competitive grant process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Horticultural Research Institute Inc's EIN?
Horticultural Research Institute Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1052547. 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 November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Horticultural Research Institute Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/horticultural-research-institute-inc-morg_c30a209f5a5049fab25e6fc54b670e19
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521052547_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Horticultural Research Institute Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/horticultural-research-institute-inc-morg_c30a209f5a5049fab25e6fc54b670e19},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Horticultural Research Institute Inc'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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