Restore America's Estuaries
Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) is a Washington, DC-based public charity that protects and restores bays and estuaries. It works with partners nationwide on coastal habitat restoration, community projects, and efforts to strengthen coastal resilience. The organization reports that it was formed in 1999.
Restore America's Estuaries at a glance
In short: Restore America's Estuaries gave $5.1M across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $92K), top state Rhode Island. 55% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,064,980
- +102.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- +19.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $92,091
- +69.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $47,235
- Total assets
- $3,081,642
- +61.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (30 of 55, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (27% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Restore America's Estuaries
- Invitation Only
-
Submit a letter of intent as the first step in the project selection process; full proposals are by invitation only.
- Contact
Mailing address: 601 13Th Street Nw, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (703) 524-0248
Website: https://estuaries.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Restore America's Estuaries
Caring For Our Coast
Restore America's Estuaries
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program
Restore America's Estuaries
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Gulf Regional Oyster Network
Restore America's Estuaries
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Restore America's Estuaries funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana ($580K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
216 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 116 grants of 216 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RAE describes its coastal restoration work as nationwide. Its 2024 grant dollars were concentrated in Rhode Island (27%), Massachusetts (22%), Florida (12%), Louisiana (11%), and New York (6%). Program-specific geographic scopes include the Long Island Sound watershed and coastal communities within it; Southeast New England, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts; and National Estuary Program boundaries across the United States. The filing describes the Southeast New England program’s region as extending from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Westerly, Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Restore America's Estuaries open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 30 of 55 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $141K. How we count
Medians: $32K first-time, $108K 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 $2.2M (2022) to $5.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 55 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana New Orleans, LA | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $580,458 |
| City of Woonsocket Woonsocket, RI | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $503,050 |
| Tampa Baywatch Inc Tierra Verde, FL | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $352,750 |
| City of Pawtucket Pawtucket, RI | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $284,000 |
| Alabama Coastal Foundation Inc Mobile, AL | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $279,748 |
| Nantucket Conservation Foundation Nantucket, MA | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $255,000 |
| Groundwork Rhode Island Pawtucket, RI | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $185,632 |
| Buzzards Bay Coalition Inc New Bedford, MA | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $161,994 |
| Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Inc Pensacola, FL | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $149,345 |
| Audubon Society of Rhode Island Smithfield, RI | Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration | $131,169 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,081,642 | $8,108,187 | $7,933,059 | $5,064,980 | 55 | $12,731 |
| 2023 | $1,907,365 | $4,211,283 | $4,338,149 | $2,504,719 | 46 | $14,187 |
| 2022 | $2,159,851 | $4,376,850 | $4,271,106 | $2,220,111 | 40 | $-279 |
| 2021 | $1,898,736 | $4,004,292 | $3,798,577 | $2,518,829 | 42 | $645 |
| 2020 | $2,538,068 | $5,189,869 | $4,969,124 | $3,204,036 | 33 | $5,145 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
RAE’s stated mission is to protect and restore bays and estuaries as essential resources for the nation. Its work includes restoring coastal wetlands, opening fish passages, removing invasive species, building living shorelines, transplanting seagrasses, replanting salt marshes, and restoring shellfish habitat. The organization also identifies coastal protection policy and funding, science, and ensuring that coastal restoration benefits are shared by all communities as part of its work.
RAE’s 2024 filing describes programs supporting clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems in Southeast New England; community-based coastal habitat restoration; and restoration of natural resources in National Estuary Program areas. The filing says its Southeast New England program supports state agencies, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, universities, and regional planning commissions. Examples of grantees include the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, whose mission is to unite people in action for a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast, and Tampa Bay Watch, which describes its work as community-driven watershed restoration, education, and outreach. Other 2024 grantees include conservation, estuary, and community organizations; for example, Groundwork Rhode Island describes its work as building healthier, more resilient, and more equitable urban communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, RAE reported 55 grants totaling $5,064,980. Grants ranged from $5,087 to $580,458, with a median of $47,235. The largest awards included $580,458 to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, $503,050 to the City of Woonsocket, $352,750 to Tampa Bay Watch, $284,000 to the City of Pawtucket, and $279,748 to the Alabama Coastal Foundation. The stated purpose for each was community-based coastal habitat restoration.
RAE’s website lists the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund, Southeast New England Program Watershed Implementation Grant, and National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant as currently open. The Long Island Sound fund lists awards of $5,000–$100,000. The Southeast New England program focuses on issues including water pollution reduction, habitat degradation, and coastal and watershed restoration. The National Estuary Program grant supports coastal restoration projects within National Estuary Program boundaries.
RAE describes a two-step selection process for projects: a letter of intent followed by a full proposal by invitation only. Both steps are competitive, and an invitation to submit a full proposal does not guarantee funding. Applicant resources include an RFP and budget narrative and budget table templates.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kimberly Davis Reyher as chair, Alison Prost as vice chair, Bob Stokes as treasurer, and David Lewis as secretary. Directors listed are Evyln Andrade, Peter Clark, Tim Dillingham, Todd Miller, Leah Schmalz, and Topher Hamblett.
Restore America's Estuaries is led by Daniel Hayden, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 5 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel Hayden
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$98K (2020) → $206K (2024)
Kimberly Davis Reyher
Chair
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elsa L. Schwartz
Senior Director of Rest & Administrator
Senior Director of Restoration → Senior Director of Rest & Administrator, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$105K (2020) → $219K (2024)
Thomas Ardito
Director of Snep Watershed
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $116K (2024)
Walter L. Speidell
Senior Director of Development
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$105K (2022) → $120K (2024)
Suzanne Simon
Director of Nep Watersheds Grants
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024)
Peter Clark
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Dillingham
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Miller
Director
Chairman → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evyln Andrade
Director
Director → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Schmalz
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Topher Hamblett
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alison Prost
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2022
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Lewis
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Stokes
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Jonathan F. Stone (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert Stokes (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Curt Johnson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Benoit (2020) — Former President & CEO
- Former: Steve Dubiel (2020) — Past Chairman
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 $219K, to Elsa L Schwartz (Sr DIR of Rest & Admin). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Restore America's Estuaries
How much does Restore America's Estuaries give each year?
Restore America's Estuaries gave $5.1M across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 46 grants.
What is Restore America's Estuaries's typical grant size?
Restore America's Estuaries's median grant in 2024 was $47,235, and its average grant was $92,091, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Restore America's Estuaries that year got $51K on average.
Where does Restore America's Estuaries give grants?
Restore America's Estuaries's top state is Rhode Island, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Massachusetts (22%) and Florida (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bronx, NY (4 grants), Pawtucket, RI (2 grants), Providence, RI (2 grants) and Houston, TX (2 grants).
Does Restore America's Estuaries give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 55 grants with a stated purpose on Restore America's Estuaries's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration" (55 grants).
Who are Restore America's Estuaries's largest grantees?
Restore America's Estuaries's largest 2024 grantees include Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana ($580,458), City of Woonsocket ($503,050) and Tampa Baywatch Inc ($352,750), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Restore America's Estuaries?
Restore America's Estuaries reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.1M.
What does Restore America's Estuaries fund?
RAE’s stated mission is to protect and restore bays and estuaries as essential resources for the nation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Restore America's Estuaries?
Submit a letter of intent as the first step in the project selection process; full proposals are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Restore America's Estuaries's EIN?
Restore America's Estuaries's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1965304. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 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 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Restore America's Estuaries funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Restore America's Estuaries funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/restore-america-s-estuaries-morg_7473526955d44997b54f63f2ac09aa85
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541965304_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Restore America's Estuaries funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/restore-america-s-estuaries-morg_7473526955d44997b54f63f2ac09aa85},
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 Restore America's Estuaries'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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