The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity chartered by Congress in 1992 and established in 1993. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, the organization serves as the official nonprofit partner of the United States Forest Service. The NFF works to conserve and enhance watersheds, wildlife habitat, and wild places across the 193-million-acre National Forest System by engaging Americans in community-based and national conservation programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$93.5M
+26.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.3M
+54.4% YoY
Grant Count
125
+8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$106K
+42.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The National Forest Foundation engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests.
Core Values:
- Unite the power of diverse interests and communities in collaborative stewardship
- Restore ecosystems to their natural resiliency and functions through on-the-ground conservation
- Engage Americans, young and old, in recognizing the gifts of our National Forests and Grasslands and in caring for them
- Sustain the commitment and ability of communities to serve as stewards by building the capacity of collaborative organizations
- Add value where action would not otherwise be taken
Primary Program Areas:
- Conservation: protection and restoration of natural resources and forest landscapes through prescribed burning, erosion control, re-vegetation, and eradication of exotic species
- Forest Service grants: maintenance and upgrade of visitor amenities, trails, and interpretive displays; improvement of access and understanding of National Forest resources; restoration of native species habitat; promotion of recreational facilities and responsible wildlife appreciation
Grantmaking
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
National focus on U.S. National Forests and Grasslands, with recent grant activity in Colorado, California, and Arizona.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (FY2024):
- Total assets: $93,453,618
- Total revenues: $77,862,467
- Total expenses: $82,078,004
- Annual grants distributed: $8.6 million (2023)
Staffing:
- 143 employees (2024)
- Growth of 16% year-over-year (+28 people)
- Staff expansion to over 160 people under recent leadership
Organizational Growth:
- Revenue has grown by more than 250% under recent leadership
- FY2024 investment of over $80 million represents double the previous year's amount
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $93,453,618 | $73,816,760 | $61,629,261 |
| Revenue | $77,862,467 | $51,563,943 | $49,084,308 |
| Expenses | $82,078,004 | $47,919,274 | $34,045,998 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,069,897 | $1,392,054 | $175,750 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from National Forest Foundation
Collaborative Capacity Program - Standard Grant: Community Partner Applicants
NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION
Amount
US $10,001 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Collaborative Capacity Program - Standard Grant: Tribal Applicants
NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION
Amount
US $20,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Conservation Connect Fellowship Program Grant
NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $6,870
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Conservation Legacy ($1,943,515), Ecoculture ($602,943), City of Greeley ($589,153).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE FLAGSTAFF, AZ | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $136,128 |
| ASCEND WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE WEAVERVILLE, CA | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $17,807 |
| BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS MISSOULA, MT | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $10,008 |
| BIG THOMPSON WATERSHED COALITION LOVELAND, CO | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $234,988 |
| BLACK MESA TRUST KYKOTSMOVI, AZ | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $18,987 |
| BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS FOUNDATION HUNGRY HORSE, MT | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $30,088 |
| BORDERLANDS RESTORATION NETWORK PATAGONIA, AZ | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $5,379 |
| BOULDER CLIMBING COMMUNITY BOULDER, CO | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $30,000 |
| BOULDER WATERSHED COLLECTIVE BOULDER, CO | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $190,000 |
| CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO, CA | SUPPORT US NATIONAL FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Board Chair: Rob Leary (also referenced as Bob Wheeler in one source)
- President and CEO: Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl (since November 1, 2024)
- Board of Directors: 30-member board
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROB LEARY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| BOB WHEELER | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOSE MINAYA | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JANICE INNIS-THOMPSON | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CAROLINE CHOI | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA HAYLING PRICE | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | 1 | — |
| ALLIE KLINE | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | 1 | — |
| MATT BOSS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE BROWN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARY KATE BUCKLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AIMEE CHRISTENSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAUL HOGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIAN D JACOBS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNIE KAO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOREN KUTNICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDIE MACDOWELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS MCHENRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOGAN MARSHALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEVIN MURPHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF NUSS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES O'DONNELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RANDY PETERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENNY THOMPSON JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK WADE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HUGH WILEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHIEF RANDY MOORE | EX OFFICIO | 1 | — |
| MARY MITSOS | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $388,060 |
| COREY WHITELY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $197,776 |
| MELISSA RICHARDS | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER | 40 | $145,579 |
| JEFF ZANELLI | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 40 | $131,226 |
| MARCUS SELIG | CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER | 40 | $195,439 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
NFF announced nearly $1 million in funding to local organizations for 33 projects on National Forests
NFF Announces Nearly $1 Million in Funding to Local Organizations for 33USDA Forest Service and National Forest Foundation launched the "Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities," a new funding and technical assistance program supporting collaboration for forest stewardship
National Forest Foundation Awarded 2026 Overland Expo Foundation GrantNFF received a forest restoration grant for Tahoe National Forest
National Forest Foundation Awarded 2026 Overland Expo Foundation GrantOrganization awarded 2026 Overland Expo Foundation Grant
National Forest Foundation Awarded 2026 Overland Expo Foundation GrantSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Forest Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The National Forest Foundation engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. **Core Values:** • Unite the power of diverse interests and communities in collaborative stewardship • Restore ecosystems to their natural resiliency and functions through on-the-ground conservation • Eng…
How do I apply for a grant from National Forest Foundation?
**Grant Programs:** • **Matching Awards Program (MAP):** $5,000–$70,000 (new applicants encouraged to request $30,000 or less); two rounds annually • **Collaborative Capacity Program - Mini Grant** • **Collaborative Capacity Program - Standard Grant:** Available for both Community Partner Applicants and Tribal Applicants • **Conservation Connect Fellowship Program** • **NFF Matching Awards Program - Connecting People to Forests** **Grant Activity:** • Distributed $8,649,265 in grants across 115…
Where does National Forest Foundation make grants?
National focus on U.S. National Forests and Grasslands, with recent grant activity in Colorado, California, and Arizona.
What size grants does National Forest Foundation award?
In 2024, National Forest Foundation awarded 125 grants totaling $13.3M — an average of about $106K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is National Forest Foundation's EIN?
National Forest Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1786332. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Forest Foundation'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 April 2026.
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