Nature Defense Foundation
Nature Defense Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Hudson, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $223K.
Nature Defense Foundation at a glance
In short: Nature Defense Foundation gave $223K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $223,110
- -27.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,889
- +45.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $6,992,807
- +3.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Nature Defense Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wonder Dog Rescue ($150K). Together the top 8 received $223K.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 49 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $149K (2022) to $306K (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $223K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wonder Dog Rescue Hamburg, NY | To Support Exempt Activities | $150,000 |
| Return to Freedom Lompoc, CA | To Support Exempt Activities | $50,000 |
| Orville Schell Farms Preserve Fairfax, CA | To Support Exempt Activities | $10,000 |
| Billion Oyster Project New York, NY | To Support Exempt Activities | $5,000 |
| Center for Biological Research Tucson, AZ | To Support Exempt Activities | $5,000 |
| New York Harbor Sailing Foundation Jersey City, NJ | To Support Exempt Activities | $1,710 |
| Rolda - Romanian League for Defense of Animals Crofton, MD | To Support Exempt Activities | $1,000 |
| Act Blue Charities Somerville, MA | To Support Exempt Activities | $400 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,992,807 | $134,422 | $934,793 | $223,110 | 8 | $716,504 |
| 2023 | $6,762,989 | $168,808 | $973,596 | $306,440 | 16 | $769,992 |
| 2022 | $7,325,237 | $-235,905 | $768,934 | $149,000 | 25 | $579,427 |
| 2020 | $8,128,220 | $422,996 | $520,354 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $1,689,545 | $1,154,463 | $589,378 | — | — | — |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Nature Defense Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah M. Shaw
Director
President & Executive Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$100K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Alana Shaw
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
$30K (2023) → $42K (2024)
Katherine Prodger
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Katherine Engelbrecht (2019–2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $85K, to Sarah M Shaw (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Nature Defense Foundation
How much does Nature Defense Foundation give each year?
Nature Defense Foundation gave $223K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $306K across 16 grants.
What is Nature Defense Foundation's typical grant size?
Nature Defense Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $27,889, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Nature Defense Foundation give grants?
Nature Defense Foundation gives mostly in New York: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (27%).
Who are Nature Defense Foundation's largest grantees?
Nature Defense Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Wonder Dog Rescue ($150,000), Return to Freedom ($50,000) and Orville Schell Farms Preserve ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Nature Defense Foundation?
Nature Defense Foundation reported $7.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $134K.
What is Nature Defense Foundation?
Nature Defense Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Hudson, NY. It holds $7.0M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Nature Defense Foundation's EIN?
Nature Defense Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3469805. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nature Defense Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Nature Defense Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?