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.
Key facts about Savanna Institute
- EIN
- 46-3004682
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $133,364
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- Average grant
- $22,227
- Median grant
- $13,411
- Total assets
- $20,082,761
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Savanna Institute funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Savanna Institute's 6 itemized 2024 grants were Wisconsin (85%), Michigan (8%) and Illinois (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (2 grants). None of its 6 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Building Agroforestry to Improve Water Quality" (6 grants).
How Savanna Institute gives
- Giving grew 122% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Savanna Institute
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.1M
-16.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$133K
+359.6% YoY
Grant Count
6
+500.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
-23.4% YoY
About Savanna Institute
Based on IRS filings
Savanna Institute is a nonprofit organization 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
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 6 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,082,761 | $24,122,248 | $10,738,008 |
| Revenue | $3,633,316 | $19,013,715 | $2,591,686 |
| Expenses | $7,253,097 | $5,380,048 | $3,419,761 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $311,395 | $168,607 | $14,525 |
| 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 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Ozaukee Washington Land Trust ($52,983), Riveredge Nature Center ($37,332), WI Land and Water ($15,821).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Hegner | Chair | 1.5 | — |
| Will Babler | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Kathy Dice | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Dick McFarlane | Director | 0.75 | — |
| Ela Kakde | Director | 0.75 | — |
| Patrick Worms | Director | 0.75 | — |
| Mary Burke | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Keefe Keeley | Executive Director | 40 | $150,273 |
| Scott Brainard | Tree Crop Breeder | 40 | $114,712 |
| Frederick Iutzi | Director of Agroforestry Innovation | 40 | $111,172 |
| Kate Wersan | Senior Director, Impact & Engagement | 40 | $110,754 |
| David Bruce | Director of Agroforestry Adoption | 40 | $105,390 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savanna Institute?
Savanna Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on Environment & Animals, based in Madison, WI. It holds $20.1M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Savanna Institute?
As of 2024, Savanna Institute holds $20.1M in total assets with $3.6M in annual revenue. It awarded 6 grants totaling $133K in 2024.
Where does Savanna Institute operate?
Savanna Institute has awarded grants in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin.
What size grants does Savanna Institute award?
In 2024, Savanna Institute awarded 6 grants totaling $133K — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.