National Forest Foundation
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is a public charity based in Missoula, Montana, chartered by Congress and formed in 1993. It supports on-the-ground conservation and grantmaking to benefit National Forests and Grasslands, with work centered on wildfire resilience, land and watershed restoration, and recreation enhancement.
National Forest Foundation at a glance
In short: National Forest Foundation gave $17.4M across 168 grants in 2025 (avg $103K), top state Ohio. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $17,362,537
- +30.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 168
- +34.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $103,348
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,670
- Total assets
- $96,219,129
- +3.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (68 of 168, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (0% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to National Forest Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 27 Fort Missoula Rd Ste 3, Missoula, MT 59804
Phone: (406) 542-2805
Website: https://nationalforests.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 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
Deadline not published
Collaborative Capacity Program - Standard Grant: Tribal Applicants
National Forest Foundation
Amount
US $20,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Conservation Connect Fellowship Program Grant
National Forest Foundation
Amount
Up to US $6,870
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who National Forest Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Greeley ($2.1M). Together the top 10 received $7.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
616 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 392 grants of 616 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NFF’s grant programs are national in scope. The Matching Awards Program requires projects to take place on U.S. National Forests or Grasslands, or adjacent public lands, and demonstrate a benefit to National Forest System lands. The Collaborative Capacity Program accepts proposals from throughout the United States where there is a clear benefit to National Forest System lands.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 168 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is National Forest Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 68 of 168 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $67K; repeat grants $128K. How we count
Medians: $34K first-time, $61K repeat.
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 $5.3M (2021) to $17.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 168 grants totaling $17.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Greeley | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $2,117,404 |
| Conservation Legacy | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $1,651,769 |
| Truckee River Watershed Council | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $654,937 |
| Inland Empire Resource Conservation District | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $500,000 |
| California Wildlife Foundation | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $477,720 |
| Wildlands Restoration Volunteers | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $411,597 |
| Hispanic Access Foundation | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $408,895 |
| County of Larimer | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $348,504 |
| Colorado Fourteeners Initiative | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $348,180 |
| The Ember Alliance | Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement | $305,000 |
Ready to take the next step with National Forest Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $96,219,129 | $132,146,649 | $123,598,331 | $17,362,537 | 168 | $1,645,122 |
| 2024 | $93,453,618 | $77,862,467 | $82,078,004 | $13,268,860 | 125 | $2,069,897 |
| 2023 | $73,816,760 | $51,563,943 | $47,919,274 | $8,596,273 | 115 | $1,392,054 |
| 2022 | $61,629,261 | $49,084,308 | $34,045,998 | $6,504,981 | 109 | $175,750 |
| 2021 | $46,532,416 | $33,838,941 | $25,871,378 | $5,344,458 | 99 | $66,887 |
| 2020 | $33,835,571 | $24,634,190 | $20,665,162 | $6,877,121 | 96 | $87,636 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NFF’s stated mission is to turn America’s love of nature into meaningful action for the National Forest System through on-the-ground programs and grantmaking, and to accept and administer private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of National Forests.
Its stated priorities are building wildfire resilience, restoring lands and watersheds, and enhancing recreation opportunities. Through its grant programs, NFF supports community engagement and stewardship, as well as collaborative activities related to wildfire resilience, recreation, restoration, and rural economies. The organizations eligible for its listed competitive programs include nonprofits, Tribal governments and organizations, universities, colleges, and local government entities.
NFF’s 2024 filing describes its grantees’ work as including community engagement and stewardship, collaborative efforts, and projects that benefit National Forest lands. The filing says some grantees work to strengthen forest health, safeguard nearby homes, and protect wildlife habitat; restore native ecosystems and streams; or build and restore trails, campgrounds, and infrastructure.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, NFF reported 168 grants totaling $17,362,537. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $2,117,404, with a median of $40,670. Listed recipients included City of Greeley ($2,117,404), Conservation Legacy ($1,651,769), Truckee River Watershed Council ($654,937), Inland Empire Resource Conservation District ($500,000), and California Wildlife Foundation ($477,720). The stated purpose for each of these grants was “conservation efforts and community engagement.”
NFF’s two listed competitive grant programs had 2026 application deadlines that have passed. For the Matching Awards Program, the listed Round 2 deadline was July 9, 2026. Projects had to benefit National Forest System lands and take place on National Forests or Grasslands, or adjacent public lands. Eligible applicants included nonprofits, Tribal governments and organizations, and universities; a 1:1 nonfederal cash or in-kind match was required. The listed project period was to begin in November 2026 and could run for up to 18 months.
The Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities listed deadlines of May 4, 2026, for community partner applicants and July 13, 2026, for Tribal applicants. Its 2026 awards were listed at $20,000–$50,000, with a required 20% nonfederal cash or in-kind match. Eligible applicants included federally recognized Tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits, local government entities, and colleges and universities; eligible fiscal sponsors could be used. Funds were for collaboration or collaboration-based activities benefiting National Forest System lands, and could not be used for on-the-ground project implementation, advocacy, litigation, or political organizing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
NFF’s website identifies Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl as President and CEO. Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Chair Rob Leary, Vice Chair Bob Wheeler, Treasurer James O’Donnell, Secretary Janice Innis-Thompson, and directors Aimee Christensen, Allie Kline, Annie Kao, Brian Jacobs, Jeff Nuss, and Chief Tom Schultz as ex officio.
National Forest Foundation is led by Mary Mitsos, Former President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 29 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Mitsos
Former President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2021
President & CEO → Former President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$318K (2020) → $478K (2025)
Dieter Fenkart Froeschl
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$56K (2025)
Rob Leary
Chair
Executive Committee → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allie Kline
Director
Director → Executive Committee, 2022
Executive Committee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Murphy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Kate Buckley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aimee Christensen
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jose Minaya
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Wade
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Nuss
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Boss
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Toren Kutnick
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie Kao
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Logan Marshall
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Hogan
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian D. Jacobs
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenny Thompson Jr.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Loren Angelo
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Bell
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom McHenry
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne McIntyre
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcus Selig
Chief Conservation Officer
Vice President & Field Programs → Vice President of Conservation Awards, 2023
Vice President of Conservation Awards → Chief Conservation Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $221K (2025)
Corey Whiteley
CFO
Chief Financial Officer → CFO, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$67K (2023) → $207K (2025)
Jeff Zanelli
Chief Marketing Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$131K (2024) → $193K (2025)
Melissa Richards
Chief People Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$146K (2024) → $202K (2025)
Bob Wheeler
Vice Chair
Director → Executive Committee, 2021
Executive Committee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James O'Donnell
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janice Innis-Thompson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chief Tom Schultz
Executive Officio
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Andie Macdowell (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Caroline Choi (2020–2024) — Executive Committee
- Former: Hugh Wiley (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Mike Brown (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Patricia Hayling Price (2020–2024) — Executive Committee
- Former: Randy Peterson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Thomas McHenry (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Chief Randy Moore (2024) — Executive Officio
- Former: Ray Foote (2020–2023) — Vice President of Development
- Former: James K. Hunt (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeff Paro (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lee Fromson (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Robert Cole (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Robin Hill (2020–2022) — Controller
- Former: Tim Schieffelin (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Chad Weiss (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael Barkin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bob Cole (2021) — Director
- Former: Coley Burke (2021) — Director
- Former: Aimee Christianson (2020) — Director
- Former: Bart Eberwein (2020) — Director
- Former: Coleman Burke (2020) — Director
- Former: Peter Foreman (2020) — Executive Committee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $478K, to Mary Mitsos (Former President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about National Forest Foundation
How much does National Forest Foundation give each year?
National Forest Foundation gave $17.4M across 168 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $13.3M across 125 grants.
What is National Forest Foundation's typical grant size?
National Forest Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $40,670, and its average grant was $103,348, across 168 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from National Forest Foundation that year got $67K on average.
Does National Forest Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 168 grants with a stated purpose on National Forest Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Conservation Efforts and Community Engagement" (168 grants).
Who are National Forest Foundation's largest grantees?
National Forest Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City of Greeley ($2,117,404), Conservation Legacy ($1,651,769) and Truckee River Watershed Council ($654,937), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is National Forest Foundation?
National Forest Foundation reported $96.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $132.1M.
What does National Forest Foundation fund?
NFF’s stated mission is to turn America’s love of nature into meaningful action for the National Forest System through on-the-ground programs and grantmaking, and to accept and administer private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of National Forests. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Forest Foundation?
National Forest Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nationalforests.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does National Forest Foundation make grants?
NFF’s grant programs are national in scope. The Matching Awards Program requires projects to take place on U.S. National Forests or Grasslands, or adjacent public lands, and demonstrate a benefit to National Forest System lands. The Collaborative Capacity Program accepts proposals from throughout the United States where there is a clear benefit to National Forest System lands.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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National Forest Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?