The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, chartered by Congress in 1990 through the National Environmental Education Act. Operating as an independent nonprofit that complements the work of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NEEF creates opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. The organization employs 29 staff members and operates with a practical, science-based, non-advocacy, and non-partisan approach.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.4M
+9.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$862K
-10.1% YoY
Grant Count
40
-21.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
+14.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to the daily lives of all Americans
Vision: That people's everyday actions are guided by an understanding and concern for the well-being of people and the planet
Purpose: To cultivate an environmentally conscious and responsible public
NEEF organizes its work around three primary focus areas:
K-12 Education
NEEF's "Greening STEM" model engages youth in hands-on environmental investigations in their communities, making STEM relevant and connected to students' daily lives while building an environmental ethic and developing a more diverse future STEM workforce. The program serves students, teachers, adolescents, and children and youth.
Health and Wellness
NEEF addresses the mental health burden of climate change on youth and environmental health concerns. The organization operates a pediatric asthma initiative that provides free training to healthcare professionals to help them identify how the environment influences health outcomes. NEEF builds a broad, inclusive coalition of stakeholders to focus on environmental health benefits.
Conservation
Aligned with NEEF's mission to connect people to the environment, this program area engages people nationwide to visit, improve, and steward public lands and supports public land agencies' efforts in conservation and engagement of the next generation of environmental stewards. Key initiatives include:
- National Public Lands Day (NPLD): The nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands, bringing out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD also serves as a "fee-free day" when entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands. The 31st annual NPLD took place in 2024.
- Grantmaking programs focused on biodiversity, public lands access, community engagement and volunteerism, and environmental education, including the Department of Defense's legacy grantmaking program.
Grantmaking
NEEF operates as both a grant recipient and a grantmaker. The organization distributes grants to support environmental education and conservation initiatives.
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not detailed in sources
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NEEF's grantmaking focuses primarily on the District of Columbia, Colorado, and California, though the organization works nationwide on environmental education and conservation initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of September 30, 2024:
- Total assets: $2,366,882
- Total revenues: $4,518,618
- Total expenses: $4,771,235
- Total giving: $972,957
As of September 30, 2023:
- Organization filed audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2023
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,366,882 | $2,169,788 | $2,339,365 |
| Revenue | $4,518,618 | $3,787,260 | $4,620,230 |
| Expenses | $4,771,235 | $4,212,715 | $4,348,146 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $24,532 | $26,759 | $17,130 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
179 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from National Environmental Education and
Biodiversity Conservation Grant
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grant
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Greening STEM Grants
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Conservation Legacy ($164,996), The Fund for the City of New York ($75,000), Salmon Valley Stewardship ($71,700).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | TOYOTA DRIVING POSSIBILITIES | $75,000 |
| COLORADO CANYONS ASSOCIATION GRAND JUNCTION, CO | BLM GREENING STEM | $6,000 |
| SALMON VALLEY STEWARDSHIP SALMON, ID | TOYOTA DRIVING POSSIBILITIES | $71,700 |
| ENVIRONMENT FOR THE AMERICAS BOULDER, CO | BLM GREENING STEM | $10,400 |
| PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY PITTSBURGH, PA | PPG GREENING STEM | $20,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE FRONT RANGE WILDLIFE REFUGES COMMERCE CITY, CO | FOREST SERVICE VETERAN | $9,993 |
| FORT LEAVENWORTH DFMWR FORT LEAVENWORTH, KS | NPLD DOD LEGACY | $13,207 |
| NORTH SCOTT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ELDRIDGE, IA | ARCONIC GREENING STEM | $7,500 |
| VETERANS ONE-STOP CENTER OF WNY INC BUFFALO, NY | FOREST SERVICE VETERAN | $9,500 |
| MISSION FISH OXNARD, CA | FOREST SERVICE VETERAN | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Sara Espinoza
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN BUTT | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER LOVE | BOARD VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MARC WASHINGTON | BOARD TREASURER (FROM 5/2024) | 1 | — |
| KIM MOORE BAILEY | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 5/2024) | 1 | — |
| SALLY COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ARTURO GARCIA-COSTAS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ARIELLE KING | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 5/2024) | 1 | — |
| KATIE HOGGE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LORI MCFARLING | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| OMAR MITCHELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE SIKRA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHANDRA TAYLOR-SAWYER | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 5/2024) | 1 | — |
| JOHN WHYTE | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 5/2024) | 1 | — |
| SARA ESPINOZA | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $239,080 |
| MORGAN VACANTI | VP, FIN AND ADMIN (FROM 4/2023) | 40 | $99,886 |
| DEBORAH LUCCI | VP, DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $154,944 |
| AMY SKALMUSKY | VP, MARKETING & CONTENT | 40 | $135,193 |
| VICTORIA COLLINS-HUGHES | VP, HR & CULTURE | 40 | $140,998 |
| PATRICK DEAVY | VP, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 32 | $106,406 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
NEEF has received significant federal support for its environmental education and training programs. The organization maintains active grant opportunities and continues to expand its reach through partnerships with federal agencies, companies, and other nonprofits. The organization's work addresses critical issues including STEM skill development among K-12 youth, the mental health impacts of climate change on young people, and capacity challenges facing public land management agencies.
EPA Awards $11 Million Cooperative Agreement for National Environmental Education Training Program | US EPASubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Environmental Education and fund?
**Mission:** To make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to the daily lives of all Americans **Vision:** That people's everyday actions are guided by an understanding and concern for the well-being of people and the planet **Purpose:** To cultivate an environmentally conscious and responsible public NEEF organizes its work around three primary focus areas: NEEF's "Greening STEM" model engages youth in hands-on environmental investigations in their communities, ma…
How do I apply for a grant from National Environmental Education and?
NEEF operates as both a grant recipient and a grantmaker. The organization distributes grants to support environmental education and conservation initiatives. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,005–$164,996 • Total giving (2024): $972,957 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not detailed in sources **Active Grant Opportunities:** • Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grant • Veterans and Nature Grant
Where does National Environmental Education and make grants?
NEEF's grantmaking focuses primarily on the District of Columbia, Colorado, and California, though the organization works nationwide on environmental education and conservation initiatives.
What size grants does National Environmental Education and award?
In 2024, National Environmental Education and awarded 40 grants totaling $862K — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is National Environmental Education and's EIN?
National Environmental Education and's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1557043. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Environmental Education and's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated June 2026.
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