Natural Lands Trust Inc
Natural Lands Trust Inc is a public charity based in Media, Pennsylvania. Its mission is to save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors. It works in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, including by preserving land, stewarding nature preserves, and helping communities advance open-space goals.
Natural Lands Trust Inc at a glance
In short: Natural Lands Trust Inc gave $4.6M across 32 grants in 2025 (avg $145K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,626,590
- +318.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 32
- +540.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $144,581
- -34.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $342,474,084
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Natural Lands Trust Inc
- How to Apply
-
For the PECO Green Region program, submit an application through the online application portal and follow the program guidelines for eligibility and attachments.
- Review Cycle
- 5:00 PM, Friday, October 30, 2026, for the 2026 PECO Green Region round.
- Deadline
- 5:00 PM, Friday, October 30, 2026, for the 2026 PECO Green Region round.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 353-5587
Website: https://natlands.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Natural Lands Trust Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pa Game Commission (State Game Lands) ($3.0M). Together the top 10 received $4.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
63 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 63 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Natural Lands describes its work as serving eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Its 2025 grant filing reports that all grant dollars went to Pennsylvania recipients. The PECO Green Region program serves eligible applicants in southeastern Pennsylvania, with geographic and service-territory requirements set out in its guidelines.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
Cities
How Natural Lands Trust Inc gives
- Giving grew 38% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2024) to $4.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 32 grants totaling $4.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pa Game Commission (State Game Lands) Harrisburg, PA | Transfer of Natural Lands | $3,005,522 |
| Westtown Township West Chester, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $550,000 |
| Chester Heights Borough Chester Heights, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $500,000 |
| French Creek State Park Elverson, PA | Transfer of Natural Lands | $188,179 |
| Delta Borough Delta, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $50,000 |
| Easttown Township Devon, PA | Transfer of Natural Lands | $49,972 |
| Berks Nature Reading, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $43,334 |
| Colebrook Railroad Preservation Trust Boyertown, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $16,343 |
| Heritage Conservancy Inc Doylestown, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $13,500 |
| Historic Trappe Trappe, PA | Provides monetary assistance to help support the operations of other conservation efforts. | $13,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Natural Lands Trust Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing reports the following financials:
Natural Lands separately reports net assets of $338 million as of June 30, 2025, including $142 million in properties under its care, $180 million in endowment, and $16 million in other net assets. It says 70% of net assets have donor restrictions.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $342,474,084 | $26,592,726 | $23,806,034 | $4,626,590 | 32 | $1,363,759 |
| 2024 | $324,446,503 | $22,918,449 | $19,825,983 | $1,105,501 | 5 | $1,045,130 |
| 2023 | $305,979,083 | $25,509,870 | $19,787,667 | $2,477,297 | 8 | $7,267,432 |
| 2022 | $298,203,577 | $11,941,811 | $15,461,333 | $3,350,461 | 7 | $-42,660 |
| 2021 | $314,826,479 | $28,456,023 | $13,866,682 | $2,756,196 | 11 | $17,304,724 |
| 2020 | $288,000,033 | $16,114,941 | $13,578,057 | $1,689,968 | 8 | $5,257,255 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Natural Lands describes its mission as “land for life, nature for all.” Its work includes protecting open space from development, caring for natural resources, and creating opportunities for people to connect with and learn from nature. The organization also helps communities with open-space planning and preservation.
Its 2025 grant recipients include municipalities and conservation, heritage, and community organizations. For example, Berks Nature says it works on environmental stewardship, land-use planning, advocacy, research, and education; Heritage Conservancy describes its mission as protecting open spaces, natural resources, and historic heritage. Historic Trappe says it preserves and shares historic places, landscapes, and heritage in southeastern Pennsylvania. Cosacosa Art at Large says it creates public art in long-term collaboration with Philadelphia residents.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Natural Lands reported 32 grants totaling $4,626,590. Grant sizes ranged from $5,396 to $3,005,522, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed grants were $3,005,522 to the PA Game Commission (State Game Lands), for a transfer of Natural Lands; $550,000 to Westtown Township and $500,000 to Chester Heights Borough, each described as monetary assistance supporting other conservation efforts; and $188,179 to French Creek State Park for a transfer of Natural Lands. Other listed recipients include Delta Borough ($50,000), Berks Nature ($43,334), Colebrook Railroad Preservation Trust ($16,343), Heritage Conservancy ($13,500), and Historic Trappe ($13,500). The 2025 filing reports all grant dollars going to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Natural Lands also administers the PECO Green Region Open Space Program, which awards grants for southeastern Pennsylvania municipal and Philadelphia nonprofit efforts to preserve, protect, and improve open spaces. The program’s guidelines list eligible applicants including certain municipalities and regional recreational authorities in PECO’s service territory, as well as incorporated nonprofits within Philadelphia, subject to the stated conditions. Applications are submitted through the online portal; attachments should be PDFs or JPEGs. The website says proposals are reviewed by a committee of county government officials, regional land-conservation nonprofit representatives, and PECO representatives. The program excludes individuals, and 2025-round award recipients are ineligible for the 2026 round.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Andrew I Vandenbrul, Ann Loftus, Barbara B Aronson, Gail M Harrity, Jason Duckworth, Jeffrey J Idler, Lloyd H Brown, and Paulina Jerez as trustees; Jane G Pepper as vice chairperson; and Peter O Hausmann as chairman emeritus.
Natural Lands Trust Inc is led by Oliver P Bass, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 11 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Oliver P Bass
President
President & CEO → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$185K (2020) → $242K (2025)
Susan P Mucciarone
Chairperson
Trustee → Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol DeWolf
Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $103K (2025)
Ethan Kauffman
Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024) → $109K (2025)
Andrew I Vandenbrul
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Loftus
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara B Aronson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail M Harrity
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Duckworth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey J Idler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lloyd H Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert K Stetson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephan K Pahides
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Y Webb
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rayenne A Chen
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paulina Jerez
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regina Hairston
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann C Hausmann
Vice President
Vice President Development → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $183K (2025)
Kelly Herrenkohl
Vice President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$64K (2020) → $137K (2025)
Tamara J Lorah
Assistant Vice President & Controller
Controller → Assistant Vice President & Controller, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $132K (2025)
Todd Sampsell
Vice President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$103K (2022) → $137K (2025)
Gary Gimbert
Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$94K (2023) → $144K (2025)
Karen Wallace
Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$13K (2023) → $180K (2025)
Tiffany Sowers
Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$42K (2023) → $143K (2025)
Jonathan Stefferud
Senior Advisor
Senior Director → Senior Advisor, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024) → $107K (2025)
Jane G Pepper
Vice Chairperson
Vice Chairperson & Trustee → Vice Chairman, 2022
Vice Chairman → Vice Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter O Hausmann
Chairman Emeritus
Chairman Emeritus → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Chairman Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: David W Weaver (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Douglas W Tallamy PhD (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: David A D'Antonio (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: H Scott Wendle (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Charles Carrier (2023) — Vice President
- Former: Christopher H Washburn (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: John W Lea (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Williamson (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Scott Saletta (2021–2022) — Business Systems Developer
- Former: Katharine F Maroney (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Penelope P Watkins (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: William G. Warden IV (2020) — 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 $242K, to Oliver P Bass (President). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Natural Lands Trust Inc
How much does Natural Lands Trust Inc give each year?
Natural Lands Trust Inc gave $4.6M across 32 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 5 grants.
What is Natural Lands Trust Inc's typical grant size?
Natural Lands Trust Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $144,581, across 32 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Natural Lands Trust Inc give grants?
Natural Lands Trust Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (4 grants) and Pottstown, PA (2 grants).
Does Natural Lands Trust Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 32 grants with a stated purpose on Natural Lands Trust Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Transfer of Natural Lands" (3 grants).
Who are Natural Lands Trust Inc's largest grantees?
Natural Lands Trust Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Pa Game Commission (State Game Lands) ($3,005,522), Westtown Township ($550,000) and Chester Heights Borough ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Natural Lands Trust Inc?
Natural Lands Trust Inc reported $342.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.6M.
What does Natural Lands Trust Inc fund?
Natural Lands describes its mission as “land for life, nature for all.” Its work includes protecting open space from development, caring for natural resources, and creating opportunities for people to connect with and learn from nature. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Natural Lands Trust Inc?
For the PECO Green Region program, submit an application through the online application portal and follow the program guidelines for eligibility and attachments. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Natural Lands Trust Inc's EIN?
Natural Lands Trust Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6272818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 27, 2026)
Live grants for the work Natural Lands Trust Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Natural Lands Trust Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Natural Lands Trust Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/natural-lands-trust-inc-morg_678c1a4bc10a41a0b080926d35d2d7ac
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_236272818_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Natural Lands Trust Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/natural-lands-trust-inc-morg_678c1a4bc10a41a0b080926d35d2d7ac},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Natural Lands Trust Inc'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.
Natural Lands Trust Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?