New Jersey Conservation Foundation
New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a public charity based in Far Hills, New Jersey. Its mission is to preserve land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all.
New Jersey Conservation Foundation at a glance
In short: New Jersey Conservation Foundation gave $1.6M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $135K), mostly in Maryland. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,617,383
- +65.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $134,782
- +51.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $23,744
- Total assets
- $67,534,714
- +3.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (5 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to New Jersey Conservation Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 170 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931
Phone: (908) 234-1225
Website: https://njconservation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Who New Jersey Conservation Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Upstream Alliance ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 60 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission and the Franklin Parker grant program are focused on New Jersey. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland (63%), New Jersey (34%), Washington, DC (2%), and Maine (1%). The largest 2024 grant went to Upstream Alliance in Annapolis, Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is New Jersey Conservation Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 12 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $222K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $977K (2023) to $2.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Upstream Alliance Annapolis, MD | Program Grants | $1,023,366 |
| Rethink Energy NJ Far Hills, NJ | Campaign Grant | $354,500 |
| Eastern Environmental Law Center Newark, NJ | Campaign Grant | $62,000 |
| Isles Inc Trenton, NJ | Campaign Grant | $40,000 |
| Niskanen Center Inc Washington, DC | Campaign Grant | $30,000 |
| Pinelands Preservation Alliance Southhampton, NJ | Program Grants | $27,488 |
| The Nature Conservancy Chester, NJ | Land Acquisition | $20,000 |
| Hopeworks'n Camden Camden, NJ | Program Grants | $19,000 |
| Acadia Center Rockport, ME | Campaign Grant | $15,000 |
| Make the Road Elizabeth, NJ | Campaign Grant | $11,500 |
Ready to take the next step with New Jersey Conservation Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $67,534,714 | $6,233,164 | $5,873,862 | $1,617,383 | 12 | $-219,749 |
| 2023 | $65,539,781 | $6,092,245 | $5,535,044 | $976,649 | 11 | $-885,722 |
| 2022 | $63,062,272 | $8,552,772 | $5,362,873 | $1,122,106 | 12 | $-325,153 |
| 2021 | $62,588,695 | $10,973,647 | $7,293,180 | $2,314,810 | 12 | $1,178,124 |
| 2020 | $59,355,904 | $12,377,693 | $6,149,977 | $1,552,953 | 13 | $-122,544 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to preserve land and protect natural resources throughout New Jersey’s rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. Its website identifies four areas of impact: saving land, restoring land, advocacy, and helping partners. The organization also describes work to protect natural areas and farmland, promote strong land-use policies, and build partnerships to safeguard clean drinking water and other natural resources.
The Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants are intended for nonprofit conservation organizations working in New Jersey. The program’s stated focus areas include land conservation projects, environmental challenges, quality-of-life improvements for communities of color, and community conservation initiatives.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate a range of work. Upstream Alliance’s stated mission is to provide outdoor environmental education experiences that prepare young people to become environmental leaders and stewards. Eastern Environmental Law Center says it provides legal assistance to nonprofits addressing environmental problems affecting people, natural resources, and communities in New Jersey and the tri-state region. Isles describes its mission as fostering self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities. Pinelands Preservation Alliance says it works to preserve the Pine Barrens ecosystem, engage the public, and advance land and development-rights conservation. Acadia Center describes its mission as advancing clean-energy solutions for a livable climate and a stronger, more equitable economy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $1,617,383. Grant amounts ranged from $6,924 to $1,023,366, with a median of $23,744. The largest awards included $1,023,366 to Upstream Alliance for program grants, $354,500 to ReThink Energy NJ for a campaign grant, and $62,000 to Eastern Environmental Law Center for a campaign grant. Other listed recipients included Isles ($40,000), Pinelands Preservation Alliance ($27,488), and The Nature Conservancy ($20,000).
The foundation’s Franklin Parker Conservation Excellence Grants program was established in 1989. The program reports more than $1,799,891 awarded for 478 conservation projects since its inception, including more than $90,000 through 28 grants since 2020. The program is paused while the foundation works to raise funding for re-granting; the stated eligibility is nonprofit conservation organizations working in New Jersey. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 12 grants totaling $1.6 million.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists George Allport, Liping An, Kathleen Bourke, Jim Lyons, Patricia Canning, Theodore Chase, Rosina Dixon B MD, and James Hughes as trustees. Finn Caspersen is listed as treasurer, and Jane Higgins as secretary.
New Jersey Conservation Foundation is led by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 29 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alison Mitchell
Co-Executive Director
Assistant Director → Co-Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $140K (2024)
John S. Watson
Co-Executive Director
Director of Statewide Land Acq. → Co-Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $145K (2024)
Louise Currey Wilson
President
Trustee → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Richards
Director of Finance & Administrator
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$103K (2020) → $109K (2024)
Tim Morris
Director of Stewardship
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$104K (2022) → $110K (2024)
Roberta Humphrey
Director of Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Andrew Kricun
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Cimprich
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Hughes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Kuchinski
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore Chase Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
william t knox IV
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clem Fiori
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frances Raymond Price
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Allport
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Williams
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Lyons
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Bourke
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Liping An
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Rivera
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Canning
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosina Dixon B. MD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Moriarty
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Finn Caspersen
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Higgins
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth H. Klipstein II
Assistant Secretary
Trustee → Assistant Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Moore
2nd Vice President
Trustee → 2nd Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Mager
1st Vice President
First Vice President → 1st Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Jennifer Bryson (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph Lemond (2020–2023) — 2nd Vice President
- Former: STEphEN W PARKER (2020–2023) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Thomas Gilbert (2020–2023) — Co-Executive Director
- Former: David Cronheim (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ted Chase (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Pamela P. Hirsch (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Rosina Dixon Bmd (2021–2022) — President
- Former: CECILIA xie BIRGE (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: JOHN l DANA (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michele Simone Byers (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Stefani Schwartz (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Lewis Evans (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Boss (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Clement L. Fiori (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Fran Raymond Price (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Lee Yeash (2020) — Trustee
- Former: LESLIE m FICCAGLIA (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Evans Lewis (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Penelope Ayers (2020) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Roger Byrom (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Rosina Dixon MD (2020) — President
- Former: Samantha Rothman (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Swayne (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $145K, to John S Watson (Co-Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about New Jersey Conservation Foundation
How much does New Jersey Conservation Foundation give each year?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation gave $1.6M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $977K across 11 grants.
What is New Jersey Conservation Foundation's typical grant size?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $23,744, and its average grant was $134,782, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from New Jersey Conservation Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does New Jersey Conservation Foundation give grants?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation gives mostly in Maryland: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (34%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants) and Camden, NJ (2 grants).
Does New Jersey Conservation Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on New Jersey Conservation Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Campaign Grant" (6 grants) and "Program Grants" (4 grants).
Who are New Jersey Conservation Foundation's largest grantees?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Upstream Alliance ($1,023,366), Rethink Energy NJ ($354,500) and Eastern Environmental Law Center ($62,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is New Jersey Conservation Foundation?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation reported $67.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.2M.
What does New Jersey Conservation Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to preserve land and protect natural resources throughout New Jersey’s rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. Its website identifies four areas of impact: saving land, restoring land, advocacy, and helping partners. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New Jersey Conservation Foundation?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check njconservation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is New Jersey Conservation Foundation's EIN?
New Jersey Conservation Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6065456. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 July 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 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 August 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New Jersey Conservation Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). New Jersey Conservation Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/new-jersey-conservation-foundation-morg_b2797b298c0141dba95b241784d1e598
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_226065456_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{New Jersey Conservation Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/new-jersey-conservation-foundation-morg_b2797b298c0141dba95b241784d1e598},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 New Jersey Conservation 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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