Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a public charity based in Madison, Wisconsin. It supports conservation of Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife through funding, partnerships, and efforts to connect people with nature.
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi at a glance
In short: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi gave $662K across 28 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in Wisconsin. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $661,990
- -16.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 28
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,643
- -16.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $9,875
- Total assets
- $27,802,964
- +19.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (8 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (96% 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 Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
- Next open deadline
- March 1, 2027 (Go Outside Fund Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: 211 South Paterson Street 100, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 409-3122
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Expected ~September
Based on past cycles
Go Outside Fund Grant
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
Amount
US $100 - US $1,500
Deadline
March 1, 2027
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund Grant
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
Amount
US $500 - US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was DNR - Natural Heritage Conservation ($228K). Together the top 10 received $523K.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 102 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its work as focused on Wisconsin. In 2025, 96% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. The filing also lists recipient shares of 1% each for Washington, D.C., California, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 28 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $29K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 57% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
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 $539K (2020) to $850K (2021). In 2025 it made 28 grants totaling $662K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DNR - Natural Heritage Conservation Madison, WI | To support the restoration, management, and conservation of various state natural areas. | $227,770 |
| DNR - Wildlife Management Madison, WI | To support, restore, maintain, and enhance various Wisconsin state areas. | $98,440 |
| DNR - Parks & Recreation Madison, WI | To support the campground infrastructure, restoration, and management of Wisconsin state parks. | $49,996 |
| 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. | $29,352 |
| 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. | $28,368 |
| The Prairie Enthusiasts Viroqua, WI | To remove dense woody thickets from two remnant prairies in the southwest savanna region to improve habitat for already present grassland birds of greatest conservation need and to repair a vital bridge connecting the two parts of the sylvan road conservation area, a rare reference quality wetland/stream complex, to ensure safe access. | $25,547 |
| Friends of Cedarburg Bog Saukville, WI | To support the charitable, scientific, or educational purposes of the friends of cedarburg bog. | $23,173 |
| 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. | $17,500 |
| Color in the Outdoors Mayville, WI | To support the mission and operations of the color in the outdoors | $12,000 |
| Ozaukee Washington Land Trust West Bend, WI | To support the mission of the ozaukee washington land trust. | $10,525 |
Ready to take the next step with Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,802,964 | $3,767,327 | $2,558,819 | $661,990 | 28 | $523,811 |
| 2024 | $23,295,000 | $4,782,615 | $2,670,758 | $788,394 | 28 | $2,051,639 |
| 2023 | $21,475,126 | $3,608,303 | $2,679,485 | $772,505 | 21 | $535,290 |
| 2022 | $18,403,242 | $2,879,637 | $2,236,677 | $734,054 | 14 | $380,112 |
| 2021 | $20,136,945 | $3,445,267 | $2,092,192 | $849,747 | 11 | $575,901 |
| 2020 | $18,517,006 | $2,542,606 | $1,674,618 | $539,081 | 10 | $293,124 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to protect Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature. Its stated focus includes restoration, climate resilience, and accessibility in natural areas, parks, and other public lands; projects that protect rare and endangered species; and outdoor education for youth and adults.
The Foundation’s grant programs support projects benefiting lands and waters, wildlife, and education. Examples include habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, species research and recovery, and outdoor learning. Its website lists the C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund, Bird Protection Fund, Go Outside Fund, and Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund among its grant programs.
The Foundation’s 2025 grants included organizations with varied conservation missions. Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance describes its work as protecting and improving habitat for birds and other wildlife through land acquisition and management, education, and advocacy. The Prairie Enthusiasts says it works to protect, manage, restore, and educate about prairie, oak savanna, and associated ecosystems. Lake Michigan Bird Observatory describes its mission as bird research and conservation in the western Lake Michigan region.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 28 grants totaling $661,990. Grant amounts ranged from $5,533 to $227,770, with a median of $9,875. The largest awards included $227,770 to DNR – Natural Heritage Conservation for restoration, management, and conservation of state natural areas; $98,440 to DNR – Wildlife Management for work on Wisconsin state areas; and $49,996 to DNR – Parks & Recreation for state park campground infrastructure, restoration, and management.
Other notable 2025 grants included $29,352 to Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance for bird protection efforts; $28,368 to Landmark Conservancy for conservation of Love Lake and public-land acquisition or expansion; $25,547 to The Prairie Enthusiasts for prairie habitat work and bridge repairs; and $17,500 to Lake Michigan Bird Observatory to develop a partnership supporting an Urban Bird Treaty City designation.
The Foundation’s C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund offers grants of $500 to $5,000. Its website says it typically receives about 25 applications and awards 8–15 grants annually; a board-member review committee scores proposals against the fund’s priorities. Those priorities include engaging communities historically excluded from conservation, benefiting imperiled species or natural communities identified in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan, and building climate resiliency. The Foundation’s program information also lists Go Outside Fund grants of $100 to $1,500 for youth outdoor learning and DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund grants of $500 to $1,000 for public quiet trails in Wisconsin.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Dave Adam as chair, Michael Williamson as vice chair, Martin Henert as treasurer, and Kristine Euclide as secretary. Directors listed are Amy Alstad, James P. Bennett, Linda Bochert, Beckie Gaskill, Lisa Gaumnitz, and Rebecca Haefner. The Foundation’s strategic-plan page identifies David Clutter as executive director.
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi is led by David Clutter, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Clutter
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $115K (2025)
Dave Adam
Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James P. Bennett
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristine Krause
Director
Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Bochert
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Labarbera
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Haefner
Director
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Alstad
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beckie Gaskill
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Zeug
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaimes Johnson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Gaumnitz
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Valitchka
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristine Euclide
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martin Henert
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Williamson
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Bruce Braun (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Tom Dott (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Tom Olson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Halie Tenor (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Mary Gade (2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Hubing (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: William Lunney (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Diane Humphrey-Lueck (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jim Matras (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: William Smith (2020) — Director
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 $115K, to David Clutter (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi
How much does Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi give each year?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi gave $662K across 28 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $788K across 28 grants.
What is Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's typical grant size?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's median grant in 2025 was $9,875, and its average grant was $23,643, across 28 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi that year got $10K on average.
Where does Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi give grants?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi gives mostly in Wisconsin: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (8 grants).
Does Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 28 grants with a stated purpose on Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's largest grantees?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's largest 2025 grantees include DNR - Natural Heritage Conservation ($227,770), DNR - Wildlife Management ($98,440) and DNR - Parks & Recreation ($49,996), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi reported $27.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
What does Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to protect Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's EIN?
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1572034. 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 November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
- Forrest Turpen Legacy Grant Due October 31, 2026
- Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation - Phase III Grants (New Haven County) Due October 31, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/natural-resources-foundation-of-wisconsi-morg_695c61db1ee24cb89294b43e9d838f39
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391572034_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsi funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/natural-resources-foundation-of-wisconsi-morg_695c61db1ee24cb89294b43e9d838f39},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Resources Foundation of Wisconsi'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 Resources Foundation of Wisconsi down — hundreds of funders to go?