Restore America's Estuaries
Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1995 and headquartered in Washington, DC. RAE leads a national alliance of 10 coastal conservation groups dedicated to restoring and preserving America's estuaries and coasts. The organization serves as a unified voice for coastal habitat restoration in the nation's capital while implementing on-the-ground restoration projects across the country.
Key facts about Restore America's Estuaries
- EIN
- 54-1965304
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,064,980
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- Average grant
- $92,091
- Median grant
- $47,235
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (30 of 55, 2024)
- Total assets
- $3,081,642
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (27% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Restore America's Estuaries funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Restore America's Estuaries's 55 itemized 2024 grants were Rhode Island (27%), 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). None of its 55 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Based Coastal Habitat Restoration" (55 grants).
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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Restore America's Estuaries
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
+61.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.1M
+102.2% YoY
Grant Count
55
+19.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$92K
+69.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
RAE is dedicated to the protection and restoration of bays and estuaries as essential resources for the nation. The organization recognizes that coastal counties comprise just 4% of US continental landmass but are home to 40% of the population and 47% of the economy, making estuary protection a matter of national importance.
RAE member organizations restore coastal habitats across 11 estuaries and 16 states nationwide, stretching from Maine to California. Local projects include:
- Restoring coastal wetlands
- Opening fish passages
- Removing invasive species
- Building living shorelines
- Transplanting seagrasses
- Replanting salt marshes
- Restoring shellfish habitat
RAE advances coastal conservation through on-the-ground projects, groundbreaking science, high-level meetings, and its biennial National Coastal and Estuarine Summit. The organization works closely with community, private, and governmental organizations to preserve the nation's estuaries.
Grantmaking
RAE administers multiple grant programs in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RAE funds restoration projects across multiple regions:
- Primary focus areas: 11 estuaries and 16 states nationwide
- Geographic range: Maine to California
- Specific programs serve: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and other coastal states
- Regional programs: Southeast New England, Long Island Sound, Great Lakes
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 55 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023)
- Total Revenue: $4,211,283
- Total Expenses: $4,338,149
- Total Assets: $1,907,365
- Total Liabilities: $940,000
Additional Financial Information
- Total Assets (alternate reporting): $3,081,642
- Total Giving: $5,128,971
- Founded: 1995
- IRS Tax-Exempt Status: June 2000
- EIN: 54-1965304
Organizational Rating
- Three-Star rating with 89% overall score (based on 60% Accountability & Finance, 25% Impact & Measurement, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,081,642 | $1,907,365 | $2,159,851 |
| Revenue | $8,108,187 | $4,211,283 | $4,376,850 |
| Expenses | $7,933,059 | $4,338,149 | $4,271,106 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,731 | $14,187 | $-279 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
216 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Restore America's Estuaries
Caring For Our Coast
Restore America's Estuaries
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program
Restore America's Estuaries
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Gulf Regional Oyster Network
Restore America's Estuaries
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana ($580,458), City of Woonsocket ($503,050), Tampa Baywatch Inc ($352,750).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Daniel Hayden - President and CEO (joined RAE in 2020)
- Brings more than 25 years of experience as a leader in private and public sectors
- Previously spent nearly a decade at Rare, an international conservation NGO, where he built multi-million-dollar partnerships and programs and oversaw quality and learning
- Previously served as senior campaign director at PCI Media, where he organized the UN Environmental Program's Webby award-winning "Wild for Life" Campaign
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Davis Reyher | Chair | 2 | — |
| Alison Prost | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Bob Stokes | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| David Lewis | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Evyln Andrade | Director | 2 | — |
| Peter Clark | Director | 2 | — |
| Tim Dillingham | Director | 2 | — |
| Todd Miller | Director | 2 | — |
| Leah Schmalz | Director | 2 | — |
| Topher Hamblett | Director | 2 | — |
| Daniel Hayden | President & CEO | 40 | $205,938 |
| Thomas Ardito | Director of Snep Watershed | 40 | $115,834 |
| Elsa L Schwartz | Sr Dir of Rest & Admin | 40 | $219,426 |
| Suzanne Simon | Director of Nep Watersheds Grant | 40 | $100,574 |
| Walter L Speidell | Senior Director of Development | 40 | $120,279 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**EPA Coastal Habitat Protection**: EPA awarded $3.5 million to protect coastal habitats through the National Estuary Grant Program
**Southeast New England Funding**: Mayor Mitchell and Congressman Keating announced $3.2 million for Southeast New England environmental restoration
Mayor Mitchell and Congressman Keating Announce $3.2 Million for ...**Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund**: RAE announced 2025 award recipients
Restore America's Estuaries Announces Long Island Sound ...**Recent Grant Activity**: Most recent funding activity includes a grant in September 2024, with 1 prior funding round totaling $160,000
NEP Watersheds Grant ~ Restore America's EstuariesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Restore America's Estuaries fund?
RAE is dedicated to the protection and restoration of bays and estuaries as essential resources for the nation. The organization recognizes that coastal counties comprise just 4% of US continental landmass but are home to 40% of the population and 47% of the economy, making estuary protection a matter of national importance. RAE member organizations restore coastal habitats across 11 estuaries and 16 states nationwide, stretching from Maine to California. Local projects include: • Restoring coa…
How do I apply for a grant from Restore America's Estuaries?
RAE administers multiple grant programs in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: **National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program** • Funds projects to restore clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems • Geographic focus includes multiple regions across the country **Southeast New England Program Watershed Grants** • Partners with the EPA to manage a regional grants program • Serves areas from Cape Cod, MA to Westerly, RI • Has awarded more than $10.3 million to state a…
Where does Restore America's Estuaries make grants?
RAE funds restoration projects across multiple regions: • **Primary focus areas**: 11 estuaries and 16 states nationwide • **Geographic range**: Maine to California • **Specific programs serve**: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and other coastal states • **Regional programs**: Southeast New England, Long Island Sound, Great Lakes
What size grants does Restore America's Estuaries award?
In 2024, Restore America's Estuaries awarded 55 grants totaling $5.1M — an average of about $92K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.