National Recreation Foundation
The National Recreation Foundation (NRF) is a private foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Established in 1965, it supports efforts to expand young people’s access to outdoor recreation and nature.
National Recreation Foundation at a glance
In short: National Recreation Foundation gave $2.4M across 75 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), top state Illinois. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,422,500
- -9.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 75
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $32,300
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $56,431,148
- +8.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (27 of 75, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (21% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to National Recreation Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
NRF does not accept unsolicited requests. Grants are by invitation only; trustees, advisors, and staff identify organizations and programs. Eligible recipients include 501(c)(3) public charities and federally recognized tribal entities; NRF’s general criteria also allow grants to governmental agencies. Grants are not made to individuals.
- Contact
Mailing address: 736 North Western Avenue 221, Lake Forest, IL 60045-1820
Phone: (224) 880-6550
Website: https://nationalrecreationfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who National Recreation Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Aspen Instituteforum for Community Solutions ($160K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
405 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 355 grants of 405 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NRF describes its grantmaking as serving organizations across the country. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Illinois (21%), District of Columbia (9%), Arizona (8%), South Dakota (7%), and California (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is National Recreation Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 27 of 75 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 49% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 128% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $1.6M (2020) to $2.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 75 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Aspen Instituteforum for Community Solutions Washington, DC | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $160,000 |
| Catalina Island Conservancy Long Beach, CA | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $101,000 |
| Cheyenne River Youth Project Eagle Butte, SD | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $100,000 |
| Chicago Training Center Chicago, IL | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $100,000 |
| Friends of Momentum Bike Clubs Greenville, SC | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $100,000 |
| Muddy Sneakers Brevard, NC | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $100,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Seattle Seattle, WA | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $100,000 |
| Ironwood Tree Experience Tucson, AZ | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $97,000 |
| Beyond the Ball Chicago, IL | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $75,000 |
| Chicago Voyagers Palatine, IL | In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
NRF’s filing describes its assets as exceeding $50 million.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,431,148 | $3,269,865 | $3,324,807 | $2,422,500 | 75 | $3,294,119 | $3,140,825 | $2,564,225 |
| 2024 | $52,219,765 | $2,953,994 | $3,900,585 | $2,661,295 | 90 | $3,598,278 | $2,592,221 | $2,476,420 |
| 2023 | $50,284,380 | $2,109,434 | $3,521,932 | $2,038,203 | 87 | $2,866,831 | $992,010 | $2,305,821 |
| 2022 | $45,854,468 | $1,837,910 | $2,878,173 | $2,408,515 | 94 | $3,035,909 | $652,719 | $2,323,577 |
| 2021 | $54,011,615 | $7,763,187 | $2,617,161 | $2,177,487 | 59 | $2,822,962 | $6,619,598 | $2,424,717 |
| 2020 | $50,267,195 | $2,503,870 | $2,290,514 | $1,593,374 | 43 | — | $2,345,381 | $2,123,463 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, National Recreation Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NRF’s mission is to expand access for young people to play, explore, learn, and grow in the outdoors. Physical activity and outdoor education are strategic priorities for its Special and Impact Grants; NRF targets at least 80% of those grant dollars to these priorities. Its stated priorities include improving opportunities for populations that may face greater barriers to physical activity or nature access, including girls, youth from low-income families, African American and Hispanic youth, American Indian youth, children with physical or developmental disabilities, and youth living in the South.
NRF supports 501(c)(3) public charities and federally recognized tribal entities working on positive youth development through outdoor recreation and connection to nature. Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of work supported: Friends of Momentum Bike Clubs says it uses bicycling to foster mentoring and positive development for youth in underserved communities; Chicago Training Center says it uses competitive rowing to help underserved Chicago youth develop athletic, academic, and leadership skills; and Grand Canyon Youth says it offers outdoor expeditions that promote teamwork, personal growth, and environmental awareness.
Grantmaking
NRF reported $2,422,500 in grants to charitable organizations in 2025. It made 75 grants, ranging from $1,000 to $160,000, with a median grant of $20,000. Its largest listed 2025 awards included $160,000 to The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, $101,000 to Catalina Island Conservancy, and $100,000 each to Cheyenne River Youth Project, Chicago Training Center, Friends of Momentum Bike Clubs, Muddy Sneakers, and YMCA of Greater Seattle. The stated purpose for these awards was support of youth outdoor recreation programs.
NRF describes Trustee Grants as supporting small local and regional organizations serving youth ages 6–24 who lack access to outdoor recreation. Its grant-program page says these grants may be up to $20,000 for one to three years; another grantmaking page describes Trustee Grants of up to $30,000. Special Grants provide increased funding to organizations that have already received two to three years of Outdoor Grant support and are ready to grow, innovate, replicate, or scale. NRF also describes Field-Building Grants as supporting the network of organizations providing meaningful outdoor experiences for young people with limited access. Impact Grants are reserved for special circumstances identified by the board and may exceed $100,000.
NRF evaluates proposals for mission alignment, innovation, potential to improve young people’s lives, leverage through partnerships or matching funds, replicability, sustainability, and evaluation measures. It prefers outcome measures and expects them for larger Special Grants. In 2025, NRF also provided grantees with no-cost virtual capacity-building workshops and trainings, peer leadership circles, strategic-planning support, evaluation support through university researchers, and two in-person events.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sophia B. Twichell as President and CEO. Trustees listed were Peggy Burnet, Chair; Myron F. Floyd, Vice Chair; Kim Bailey, Secretary; Karen A. Stewart-Ramos, Treasurer; Joseph B. Anderson Jr., Lynne M. O Brickner, Endicott P. Davison Jr., Gary Hall, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. The filing states that Joyner-Kersee resigned on July 28, 2025.
National Recreation Foundation is led by Sophia B. Twichell, President & CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 20 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sophia B. Twichell
President & CEO
Executive Director, President & CEO → President & CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $261K (2025)
Peggy Burnet
Trustee & Chair
Trustee & Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Chair-Elect, 2023
Vice Chair & Chair-Elect → Trustee & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andra Rush
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bakeyah S. Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elsie McCabe Thompson
Trustee Retired
Trustee → Trustee Retired, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Endicott P. Davison Jr.
Trustee
Chair-Elect & Chair → Trustee & Chair, 2023
Trustee & Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Hall
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John W. McCarter Jr.
Trustee Retired
Trustee, President & Past Chair → Trustee, 2021
Trustee → Trustee Retired, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan D. Scott
Trustee Retired
Trustee → Trustee Retired, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph B. Anderson Jr.
Trustee
Trustee, Pres-Elect & Chair → Trustee & Chair, 2021
Trustee & Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen A. Stewart-Ramos
Trustee & Treasurer
Trustee → Trustee & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Moore Bailey
Trustee & Secretary
Trustee → Trustee & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee A. Storey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lila Leff
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynne M. O. Brickner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martin J. Leblanc
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Myron F. Floyd
Trustee & Vice Chair
Trustee & Secretary → Trustee, Sec'y & Vice Chair, 2024
Trustee, Sec'y & Vice Chair → Trustee & Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadja Y. West
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas G. Penniman IV
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Alfred A. Valenzuela (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Darryl L. Taylor (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: J. James Pearce Jr. (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: R. Thayer Tutt Jr. (2020–2024) — Trustee & Treasurer Retired
- Former: Robert A. Stuart Jr. (2020–2024) — Trustee Retired
- Former: Robert W. Crawford Jr. (2020–2024) — Trustee Retired
- Former: Jose G. Gonzalez (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jon J. Seal (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Tony A. Mobley (2020–2021) — Trustee
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 $261K, to Sophia B Twichell (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about National Recreation Foundation
How much does National Recreation Foundation give each year?
National Recreation Foundation gave $2.4M across 75 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.7M across 90 grants.
What is National Recreation Foundation's typical grant size?
National Recreation Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $32,300, across 75 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from National Recreation Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does National Recreation Foundation give grants?
National Recreation Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (9%) and Arizona (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Tucson, AZ (2 grants) and Seattle, WA (2 grants).
Does National Recreation Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of National Recreation Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 75) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "In Support of Youth Outdoor Recreation Programs" (73 grants).
Who are National Recreation Foundation's largest grantees?
National Recreation Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Aspen Instituteforum for Community Solutions ($160,000), Catalina Island Conservancy ($101,000) and Cheyenne River Youth Project ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is National Recreation Foundation?
National Recreation Foundation reported $56.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does National Recreation Foundation fund?
NRF’s mission is to expand access for young people to play, explore, learn, and grow in the outdoors. Physical activity and outdoor education are strategic priorities for its Special and Impact Grants; NRF targets at least 80% of those grant dollars to these priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Recreation Foundation?
NRF does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is National Recreation Foundation's EIN?
National Recreation Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6172514. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does National Recreation Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). National Recreation Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/national-recreation-foundation-morg_9856787a2a4d44ab840c81628e8fe022
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136172514_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{National Recreation Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/national-recreation-foundation-morg_9856787a2a4d44ab840c81628e8fe022},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 National Recreation Foundation'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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