Natural Resources Foundation of
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Established in 1986, the Foundation operates as a statewide conservation and education organization that protects Wisconsin's lands, waters, and wildlife through funding, partnerships, and public engagement. The organization was formed during a period when declining budgets severely compromised critical programs of Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources, and it continues to fill a unique conservation funding niche by boosting private sector investment and involvement in the state's natural resources.
Key facts about Natural Resources Foundation of
- EIN
- 39-1572034
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $788,394
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- Average grant
- $28,157
- Median grant
- $9,755
- Total assets
- $23,295,000
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who Natural Resources Foundation of funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Natural Resources Foundation of's 28 itemized 2024 grants were Wisconsin (97%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (13 grants) and Milwaukee, WI (2 grants). None of its 28 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.3M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$788K
+2.1% YoY
Grant Count
28
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-23.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To protect our state's lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature.
Vision: Wisconsin's flourishing ecosystems are protected, sustained, and cherished by diverse communities.
Core Values: Nature, Belonging, Connection, Leadership, and Hope.
Primary Funding Areas
Public Lands Conservation: The Foundation provides funding for priority conservation projects on state natural areas, state parks, and other key public lands. Support includes restoration, climate resilience, and accessibility improvements across diverse ecosystems including forests, prairies, lakes, wetlands, bluffs, barrens, savannas, fens, and bogs.
Rare and Endangered Species Protection: The Foundation funds projects protecting Wisconsin's rare and endangered species, with major programs including protection of ornate box turtles and other vulnerable wildlife.
Conservation Education: The Foundation operates a statewide field trip program that provided over 318 outdoor experiences in 2024. Additional education initiatives include educational outreach promoting citizen-science and conservation volunteering opportunities, as well as funding for educators, schools, nature centers, and other education partners that engage youth and adults in hands-on outdoor education.
Grantmaking
The Foundation provides funding for conservation projects across Wisconsin. In fiscal year 2023, the organization distributed $1,161,447 in total giving. The Foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's work is statewide, focusing on Wisconsin's lands, waters, and wildlife.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 28 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $23,295,000
- Total Revenue: $4,782,615
- Total Expenses: $2,670,758
- Employees: 15
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $21,475,126
- Total Revenue: $3,608,303
- Total Expenses: $2,680,000
- Total Giving: $1,161,447
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,295,000 | $21,475,126 | $18,403,242 |
| Revenue | $4,782,615 | $3,608,303 | $2,879,637 |
| Expenses | $2,670,758 | $2,679,485 | $2,236,677 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,051,639 | $535,290 | $380,112 |
| 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
84 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Natural Resources Foundation of
C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants
NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Go Outside Fund Grant
NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF
Amount
US $100 - US $1,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund Grant
NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF
Amount
US $500 - US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Dnr - Natural Heritage Conservation ($306,711), Dnr - Wildlife Management ($82,914), Dnr - Parks & Recreation ($62,900).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DNR - NATURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION MADISON, WI | TO SUPPORT THE RESTORATION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION OF VARIOUS STATE NATURAL AREAS. | $306,711 |
| DNR - WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT MADISON, WI | TO SUPPORT, RESTORE, MAINTAIN, AND ENHANCE VARIOUS WISCONSIN STATE AREAS. | $82,914 |
| DNR - PARKS & RECREATION MADISON, WI | TO SUPPORT THE CAMPGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE, RESTORATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF WISCONSIN STATE PARKS. | $62,900 |
| DNR - HAVENWOODS STATE FOREST MADISON, WI | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING, AND ENHANCING VISITOR EXPERIENCE AT MILWAUKEE'S HAVENWOODS STATE FOREST. | $46,000 |
| LANDMARK CONSERVANCY MENOMONIE, WI | TO SUPPORT LANDMARK CONSERVANCY WITH THE CONSERVATION OF LOVE LAKE AND AQUISITION/EXPANSION OF PUBLIC LANDS HELD UNDER CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN NORTHEAST WISCONSIN. | $34,494 |
| SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE MADISON, WI | TO SUPPORT SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE AND THEIR BIRD PROTECTION EFFORTS, INCLUDING RAISING AWARENESS OF BIRD DECLINE IN WISCONSIN AND SPUR ACTION AT HOME. | $28,600 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN BIRD OBSERVATORY PORT WASHINGTON, WI | TO FORM AND DEVELOP A PARTNERSHIP TO ACHIEVE URBAN BIRD TREATY CITY DESIGNATION, WHICH WILL SERVE AS AN ORGANIZING POINT FOR SILOED ORGANIZATIONS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO COORDINATE BIRD CONSERVATION AND OUTREACH IN THE REGION. SPECIAL FOCUS WILL BE ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS TO ENSURE HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN BIRD CONSERVATION AND BIRDING ARE A PART OF THE PROCESS FROM THE BEGINNING. | $25,000 |
| SELVA VENICE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE NEOTROPICAL FLYWAYS PROJECT. | $22,500 |
| FRIENDS OF GOVERNOR DODGE STATE PARK DODGEVILLE, WI | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE FRIENDS OF GOVENOR DODGE STATE PARK AND REPLACE ROTTED TIMBERS ON PINE CLIFF TRAIL. | $22,380 |
| NEARBY NATURE MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE, WI | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL PIONEER AWARDS AND TO RESTORE/REVITALIZE GREEN SPACES ALONG LINCOLN CREEK, WITH A FOCUS ON HOPKINS HOLLOW, THROUGH HABITAT RESTORATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, HABITAT RESEARCH, AND RAISING AWARENES OF WILDLIFE HABITAT IN URBAN GREEN SPACE. | $11,900 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
David Clutter – Executive Director
Ben Strand, CFRE – Director of Philanthropy
Shelly Torkelson – Director of Communications
Shari Henning – Administrative Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTINE KRAUSE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK LABARBERA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMY ALSTAD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM DOTT | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JAMES P BENNETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRUCE BRAUN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REBECCA HAEFNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDA BOCHERT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM OLSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HALIE TENOR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVE ADAM | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL WILLIAMSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARTIN HENERT | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| KRISTINE EUCLIDE | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MARY GADE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BECKIE GASKILL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LISA GAUMNITZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAIMES JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SCOTT VALITCHKA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID ZEUG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID CLUTTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $112,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Natural Resources Foundation of fund?
**Mission:** To protect our state's lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature. **Vision:** Wisconsin's flourishing ecosystems are protected, sustained, and cherished by diverse communities. **Core Values:** Nature, Belonging, Connection, Leadership, and Hope. **Public Lands Conservation:** The Foundation provides funding for priority conservation projects on state natural areas, state parks, and other key public lands. Support …
How do I apply for a grant from Natural Resources Foundation of?
The Foundation provides funding for conservation projects across Wisconsin. In fiscal year 2023, the organization distributed $1,161,447 in total giving. The Foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
Where does Natural Resources Foundation of make grants?
The Foundation's work is statewide, focusing on Wisconsin's lands, waters, and wildlife.
What size grants does Natural Resources Foundation of award?
In 2024, Natural Resources Foundation of awarded 28 grants totaling $788K — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Natural Resources Foundation of's EIN?
Natural Resources Foundation of's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1572034. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.