National Confectioners Association of
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is a 501(c)(6) business league and trade association representing the entire confectionery industry. Based in Washington, DC, the organization serves manufacturers, suppliers, brokers, buyers, and service providers in the chocolate and candy sector. Founded in 1884, NCA operates with 32-34 employees and functions as the major association advocating for and protecting the interests of the confectionery industry.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$50.2M
+14.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$964K
+10.5% YoY
Grant Count
33
+32.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-16.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
NCA's mission centers on promoting and protecting the confectionery industry through legislative and regulatory advocacy, while communicating positive messages about candy to enhance and protect its image and reputation. The organization's primary program areas include:
- Advocacy and Communications: Promoting and protecting the confectionery industry in legislative and regulatory arenas to ensure the industry remains strong and confectionery is viewed as part of a happy, balanced lifestyle
- Data and Research: Funding original and marketplace research to help the industry understand the current environment and evolving consumer needs
- Convention and Member Services: Educating and informing members about issues concerning the confectionery industry through conventions, expos, and general association services
Grantmaking
NCA makes grants to support its mission and industry-related initiatives. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NCA's grantmaking focuses primarily on the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $43,821,944
- Total Revenue: $28,522,504
- Total Expenses: $24,274,322
- Total Liabilities: $24,000,000
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $50,170,809 | $43,821,944 | $37,474,869 |
| Revenue | $32,507,417 | $28,522,504 | $22,678,105 |
| Expenses | $28,628,284 | $24,274,322 | $20,839,004 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,972,359 | $1,475,358 | $533,679 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
105 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TONY JACOBS | CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| JAMES G HAGEDORN | VICE CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| MARTIN B PALMER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CARRIE ABBOTT | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| JOEL BURROWS | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| SYLVIA BUXTON | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| BRENT COTTEN | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ALANNA COTTON | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| PATRICK EGAN | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| MITCHELL T GOETZE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| STEVE GOHDE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ELLEN R GORDON | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| LAURA KING | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN R KRETCHMER | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| RICK LABERGE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ROBERT A NELSON | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| MARK OKITA | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL G ROSENBERG | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| RICHARD ROSS | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ED SCHULTZ | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| IRA SHANDARIVSKA | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| STEPHANIE STUCKEY | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL TIERNEY | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ANTON VINCENT | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| MARYANN WALBURN | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| TISH PAHL | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN DOWNS | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $1,622,019 |
| ELISE FENNIG | CHIEF OF STAFF & SR. VP OF | 40 | $520,538 |
| STEVE MCCRODDAN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $279,178 |
| TRACY THOMPSON | VP, FINANCE | 40 | $271,485 |
| LYNN WYLIE | VP, INDUSTRY AFFAIRS | 40 | $287,914 |
| FARIDA MOHAMEDSHAH | SR. VP SCIENTIFIC & REG. A | 40 | $338,871 |
| CHRIS GINDLESPERGER | SR. VP OF PUB. AFF. & COMM | 40 | $467,658 |
| BRIAN MCKEON | SR. VP OF PUBLIC POLICY | 40 | $533,367 |
| SUSAN WHITESIDE | VP OF INTEGRATED MKTING & COMM. | 40 | $317,539 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Sweet Land of Liberty Campaign (2026)**: NCA launched a major 2026 campaign celebrating chocolate and candy as a quintessential American manufacturing success story in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The campaign includes an original song created using AI-powered tools, marking the first time a trade association has developed and published an anthem to support a national advocacy effort. Campaign activations include major event partnerships, National Candy Month celebration, "Random Acts of Sweetness" initiative in June, seasonal activations, presence at Sweets & Snacks Expo in May, and targeted digital advertising.
NCA Announces Recipients of the 2026 Golden and Silver Candy Dish Awards**AlwaysATreat.com Refresh**: NCA unveiled an enhanced version of AlwaysATreat.com, a digital resource providing consumers, policymakers, and media with data-driven information about chocolate and candy's role in a balanced lifestyle. The updated site features improved navigation, expanded resources, and tools for exploring facts about confectionery, nutrition labels, and how these treats fit into seasonal celebrations and everyday moments.
**State of Treating 2026**: NCA released its seventh annual State of Treating report, reflecting on confectionery shopping and treating trends in 2025, including category performance review and growth opportunities for 2026 and beyond.
**2026 Awards**: NCA announced recipients of the 2026 Golden and Silver Candy Dish Awards and named Sylvia Buxton of Perfetti Van Melle as the 2026 Advocate of the Year.
NCA Announces Recipients of the 2026 Golden and Silver Candy Dish AwardsContact Information
Address: 1101 30th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 534-1440
Email: info@CandyUSA.com
Website: www.candyusa.com
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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