Savanna Institute
The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with farmers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the midwest us. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems.the mission of the Savanna Institute is to catalyze the development and adoption of resilient, scalable agroforestry.
Savanna Institute at a glance
In short: Savanna Institute gave $133K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $133,364
- +359.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +500.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,227
- -23.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $13,411
- Total assets
- $20,082,761
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Savanna Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ozaukee Washington Land Trust ($53K). Together the top 6 received $133K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 14 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Savanna Institute gives
- Giving grew 122% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2023) to $133K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $133K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ozaukee Washington Land Trust West Bend, WI | Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality | $52,983 |
| Riveredge Nature Center Newburg, WI | Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality | $37,332 |
| WI Land and Water Madison, WI | Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality | $15,821 |
| Chiwara Permaculture LLC Ann Arbor, MI | Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality | $11,000 |
| Land Conservancy of McHenry County Woodstock, IL | Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality | $9,301 |
| River Alliance of WI Madison, WI | Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality | $6,927 |
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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 | $20,082,761 | $3,633,316 | $7,253,097 | $133,364 | 6 | $311,395 |
| 2023 | $24,122,248 | $19,013,715 | $5,380,048 | $29,015 | 1 | $168,607 |
| 2022 | $10,738,008 | $2,591,686 | $3,419,761 | $66,349 | 4 | $14,525 |
| 2021 | $10,548,651 | $5,295,861 | $2,206,721 | $59,977 | 3 | $960 |
| 2020 | $5,457,118 | $4,556,320 | $924,910 | — | — | $1,703 |
About Savanna Institute
Based on IRS filings
Savanna Institute is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Madison, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $20.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $133K. Net investment income was $311K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Savanna Institute is led by Keefe Keeley, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Keefe Keeley
Executive Director
Co-Executive Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$71K (2020) → $150K (2024)
Rebecca Hegner
Chair
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Bruce
Director of Agroforestry Adoption
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024)
Frederick Iutzi
Director of Agroforestry Innovation
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Kate Wersan
Senior Director, Impact & Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Dick McFarlane
Director
On filings since 2022
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ela Kakde
Director
On filings since 2022
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Worms
Director
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Brainard
Tree Crop Breeder
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$115K (2024)
Kathy Dice
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Babler
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Burke
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Sallie Calhoun (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Fany Bortolin (2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin Wolz (2020–2021) — Co-Executive Director
- Former: Michael Murray (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Omar Dekok-Mercado (2021) — Director
- Former: McKenzie Beverage (2020) — Director
- Former: Tory Dahlhoff (2020) — Director
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 $150K, to Keefe Keeley (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Savanna Institute
How much does Savanna Institute give each year?
Savanna Institute gave $133K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $29K across 1 grant.
What is Savanna Institute's typical grant size?
Savanna Institute's median grant in 2024 was $13,411, and its average grant was $22,227, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Savanna Institute give grants?
Savanna Institute gives mostly in Wisconsin: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Michigan (8%) and Illinois (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (2 grants).
Does Savanna Institute give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Savanna Institute's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality" (6 grants).
Who are Savanna Institute's largest grantees?
Savanna Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Ozaukee Washington Land Trust ($52,983), Riveredge Nature Center ($37,332) and WI Land and Water ($15,821), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Savanna Institute?
Savanna Institute reported $20.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.6M.
What is Savanna Institute?
Savanna Institute is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Madison, WI. It holds $20.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Savanna Institute's EIN?
Savanna Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3004682. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Savanna Institute funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Savanna Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Savanna Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?