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.
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
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 | — | — | — |
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
211 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
No grants recorded for .
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 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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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