Rodale Institute
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, formed in 1947. It advances regenerative organic agriculture through research, farmer training, education, and direct support for farmers.
Rodale Institute at a glance
In short: Rodale Institute gave $1.8M across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $160K), mostly in Georgia. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,761,994
- +78.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +37.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $160,181
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $71,961
- Total assets
- $58,579,646
- +7.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (2 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (76% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Rodale Institute
- Contact
Mailing address: 611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
Phone: (610) 683-1400
Website: https://rodaleinstitute.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rodale Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Emory University ($944K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 26 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Rodale Institute is based in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Georgia received 76% of grant dollars, North Carolina 12%, Wisconsin 5%, Alabama 3%, and South Carolina 2%.
The Institute’s 2025 filing narrative also describes regional resource centers in California, Iowa, Georgia, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Italy.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Rodale Institute open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 11 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $82K; repeat grants $178K. How we count
Medians: $82K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023–2025). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $985K (2024) to $1.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | Research | $943,774 |
| UGA Research Foundation Athens, GA | Research | $204,100 |
| Georgia Organics Inc Decatur, GA | Research | $189,785 |
| Soil Health Institute Morrisville, NC | Research | $129,513 |
| Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System Madison, WI | Research | $92,122 |
| North Carolina State University Sanford, NC | Research | $71,961 |
| Madison Garden Club Madison, AL | Research | $50,157 |
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Research | $34,645 |
| University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN | Research | $29,567 |
| Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Pittsboro, NC | Research | $9,567 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $58,579,646 | $22,653,171 | $19,367,787 | $1,761,994 | 11 | $2,710,459 |
| 2024 | $54,736,937 | $15,794,542 | $15,585,285 | $985,355 | 8 | $1,655,693 |
| 2023 | $54,361,063 | $18,595,090 | $14,708,463 | $1,489,228 | 7 | $1,236,207 |
| 2022 | $45,426,077 | $15,491,796 | $11,224,113 | — | — | $733,066 |
| 2021 | $44,853,395 | $12,528,365 | $8,485,832 | — | — | $1,293,803 |
| 2020 | $38,124,687 | $10,055,688 | $7,647,568 | — | — | $842,555 |
| 2019 | $33,604,191 | $7,761,183 | $6,017,177 | — | — | $735,161 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Rodale Institute’s stated mission is to advance research and education that help farms and farmers transition to regenerative organic agricultural practices, improving soil health and supporting the global food supply.
Its 2025 filing describes independent scientific research, farmer support, consumer education, and workforce training. The Institute’s website identifies research, farmer consulting, and education as parts of its work. Its 2025 grants were reported for research.
The 2025 recipients included organizations with varied missions, as described by the grantees themselves. Georgia Organics says it invests in organic farmers for the health of communities and land. The Soil Health Institute describes its mission as safeguarding and enhancing soil vitality and productivity through scientific research and advancement. Carolina Farm Stewardship Association says it works to help the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food through advocacy, education, and connections.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Rodale Institute reported 11 grants totaling $1,761,994. Grant amounts ranged from $6,803 to $943,774, with a median of $71,961. All listed grants had a research purpose.
The largest grants included $943,774 to Emory University, whose stated mission is to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity; $204,100 to the UGA Research Foundation; $189,785 to Georgia Organics; $129,513 to the Soil Health Institute; and $92,122 to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
The Institute also offers education and training pathways, including a certificate program and a scholarship fund supporting interns. These programs provide training and participant support; the available descriptions do not identify them as grants for outside applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Jeffrey Tkach, Chief Executive Officer; Elaine Macbeth, Chief Financial Officer; Andrew Smith, Chief Scientific Officer; Luke Howard, Chief Program Officer; David Willey, Chief Operating Officer; and Jessica Student, Chief Impact Officer. The filing also lists Gladis Zinati, Director of Vegetable Systems Trial; Nicole Taylor, Recording Secretary; and Maria Rodale and Roberta Lang as Co-Chairs.
Rodale Institute is led by Jeffrey Tkach, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2024; 8 of 24 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jeffrey Tkach
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$228K (2024) → $253K (2025)
Gladis Zinati
Director of Vegetable Systems Trial
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$132K (2025)
Loren L. Speziale
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Taylor PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pedro Landa
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison Grantham
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Koide
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Grand
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Wolf
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Lenhart
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christa Barfield
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Ely
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Esther Park-Hallam
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Nana-Sinkam
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Stoll
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John McGlinn II
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Macbeth
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$106K (2019) → $181K (2025)
Andrew Smith
Chief Scientific Officer
COO & Chief Scientist → Chief Operating Officer, 2021
Chief Operating Officer → Chief Scientific Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$119K (2020) → $163K (2025)
Nicole E. Taylor
Recording Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$82K (2025)
Jessica Student
Chief Impact Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$164K (2024) → $141K (2025)
David Willey
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$156K (2025)
Luke Howard
Chief Program Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$178K (2025)
Maria Rodale
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roberta Lang
Co-Chair
Co-Chairman → Co-Chair, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Erik Oberholtzer (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Annie Brown (2020–2024) — Vice President of Development
- Former: Sam Taylor (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Kahle (2024) — Vice President of People & Culture
- Former: Sam Malriat (2024) — Director of Consulting
- Former: Jeff Moyer (2019–2023) — CEO
- Former: Jeff Tkach (2019–2023) — CEO
- Former: Peter Sherman (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Ely (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Esther Park Hallam (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Maya Rodale (2019–2022) — Co-Chair
- Former: Reza Keshavarz Afshar (2022) — Chief Scientist
- Former: Corby Kummer (2019) — Director
- Former: Grant Lundberg (2019) — Director
- Former: Paul McGinley (2019) — Co-Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $253K, to Jeffrey Tkach (Chief Executive Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rodale Institute
How much does Rodale Institute give each year?
Rodale Institute gave $1.8M across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $985K across 8 grants.
What is Rodale Institute's typical grant size?
Rodale Institute's median grant in 2025 was $71,961, and its average grant was $160,181, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rodale Institute that year got $82K on average.
Where does Rodale Institute give grants?
Rodale Institute gives mostly in Georgia: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (12%) and Wisconsin (5%).
Does Rodale Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Rodale Institute's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research" (11 grants).
Who are Rodale Institute's largest grantees?
Rodale Institute's largest 2025 grantees include Emory University ($943,774), UGA Research Foundation ($204,100) and Georgia Organics Inc ($189,785), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rodale Institute?
Rodale Institute reported $58.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $22.7M.
What does Rodale Institute fund?
Rodale Institute’s stated mission is to advance research and education that help farms and farmers transition to regenerative organic agricultural practices, improving soil health and supporting the global food supply. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rodale Institute?
Rodale Institute has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check rodaleinstitute.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Rodale Institute's EIN?
Rodale Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7206884. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 17, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Rodale Institute funds
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rodale Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rodale Institute funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rodale-institute-morg_22c226b87bb5409593f2502e4e6f6eb2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237206884_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rodale Institute funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rodale-institute-morg_22c226b87bb5409593f2502e4e6f6eb2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Rodale Institute'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.
Rodale Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?