Save the Redwoods League
Save the Redwoods League is a public charity based in San Francisco, California, formed in 1918. It works across California’s redwood range to protect and restore coast redwood and giant sequoia forests and connect people with these places. The League reports that it has protected more than 220,000 acres of redwood forests, restored 37,000 acres, and helped create or expand 76 redwood parks.
Key facts about Save the Redwoods League
In short: Save the Redwoods League gave $3.8M across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $106K), mostly in District of Columbia. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 94-0843915
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,809,615
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- Average grant
- $105,823
- Median grant
- $6,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (15 of 36, 2025)
- Total assets
- $208,506,083
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (52% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For the Research Grants Program, submit a pre-proposal by email; selected applicants are invited to submit a full application. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Research Grant pre-proposals for the current cycle are due October 16, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- October 16, 2026 (Save the Redwoods League Research Grant)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$208.5M
-1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.8M
+189.7% YoY
Grant Count
36
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$106K
+157.5% YoY
Is Save the Redwoods League open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 36 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $189K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $6K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The League’s stated mission is to protect and restore redwood forests and connect people with their peace and beauty so these natural wonders flourish. Its programs include protecting remaining old-growth forests and expanding protected forest areas; restoring coast redwood and giant sequoia ecosystems; conducting and supporting research; and creating opportunities for people to experience redwood parks.
The League’s grantmaking includes research on coast redwood and giant sequoia ecosystems, stewardship and restoration, climate change, and park projects. It accepts research grant proposals from nonprofit organizations, including universities and public agencies. Redwood Connect Grants are open to public agencies, K–12 schools and academic institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored initiatives.
The League’s 2025 grantees include organizations with varied roles. The Foundation for America’s Public Lands describes its mission as supporting Bureau of Land Management programs and services through private donations. CSU STRATA says it aids Colorado State University System institutions in research and education. Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation says it facilitates research across the university community. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the League’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the League reported 36 grants totaling $3,809,615. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $2,000,000, with a median of $6,000. The largest reported grants included $2,000,000 to the Foundation for Americas Public Lands for stewardship grants; $566,683 to Yurok Tribe Fisheries Department for restoration grants; $279,855 to InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council for stewardship grants; and $272,675 to the University of California, Berkeley, for climate change grants. Other listed recipients included the University of California, Davis ($85,848 for research), the Bureau of Land Management ($80,000 for stewardship), and California Department of Parks and Recreation ($76,000 for park projects).
The League’s Research Grants Program supports conservation and restoration science for coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. The current cycle welcomes proposals across topics, with special consideration for research applicable across a species’ range or addressing redwood vulnerability or resilience. The program accepts proposals from nonprofit organizations, including universities and public agencies; past recipients must have met prior grant obligations. The listed award range is $30,000–$50,000, matching funds are prioritized, and indirect costs are not funded. Applicants submit a two-page pre-proposal with references excluded, followed by principal investigators’ CVs in a single PDF. Selected applicants are invited to submit a complete application. Student starter grants of $8,500 are also available to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students working with an academic mentor on research related to coast redwood or giant sequoia forests.
Redwood Connect Grants support firsthand redwood park experiences for people facing barriers to the outdoors or who have not had the opportunity to visit redwoods. Awards are based on project budgets, up to $8,000, and funds must be used to implement the proposed project. Eligible applicants include public agencies, K–12 schools or academic institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored initiatives.
Review Cycle
Research Grant pre-proposals for the current cycle are due October 16, 2026. Redwood Connect Grants’ 2026–2027 application period is open; the provided information does not state its application deadline.
How to Apply
For the Research Grants Program, submit a pre-proposal by email; selected applicants are invited to submit a full application. Redwood Connect applicants use an online application form. Student starter grant applicants must be enrolled in college and work with an academic mentor.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Save the Redwoods League
Ready to take the next step with Save the Redwoods League?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The League works across California’s redwood range, including coast redwood forests and giant sequoia forests in the Sierra Nevada. Its 2025 grants were concentrated in Washington, DC (52% of grant dollars) and California (42%), with reported shares of 2% in Colorado and 1% each in Nevada and Massachusetts. Listed 2025 recipients also included an Arizona-based university.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $6.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Foundation for Americas Public Lands ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
157 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 122 grants of 157 (78%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation for Americas Public Lands Washington, DC | Stewardship Grants | $2,000,000 |
| Yurok Tribe Fisheries Department Klamath, CA | Restoration Grants | $566,683 |
| Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council Ukiah, CA | Stewardship Grants | $279,855 |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Climate Change Grants | $272,675 |
| University of California Davis Davis, CA | Research Grants | $85,848 |
| Bureau of Land Management Arcata, CA | Stewardship Grants | $80,000 |
| California Department of Parks and Recreation Sacramento, CA | Park Project Grants | $76,000 |
| Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO | Research Grants | $65,553 |
| Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education Las Vegas, NV | Climate Change Grants | $56,437 |
| Amherst College Amherst, MA | Research Grants | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $208,506,083 | $68,106,119 | $50,621,038 | $3,809,615 (36) |
| 2024 | $211,369,346 | $57,790,054 | $55,160,311 | $1,315,041 (32) |
| 2023 | $199,486,004 | $38,773,632 | $32,863,391 | $1,085,542 (30) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $208,506,083 | $211,369,346 | $199,486,004 |
| Revenue | $68,106,119 | $57,790,054 | $38,773,632 |
| Expenses | $50,621,038 | $55,160,311 | $32,863,391 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,159,931 | $2,042,182 | $250,318 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 22, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sara Ann Clark as chair; Abraham Tarapani and Rosemary Cameron as vice chairs; Michael F. Wyatt as treasurer; and John Montague as secretary. Directors listed were Andrea Tuttle, Carl Shapiro, Colby Hastings, Dave Mahler, and John Scharffenberger.
Save the Redwoods League is led by Samuel M. Hodder, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 9 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Samuel M. Hodder
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$273K (2020) → $344K (2025)
Sara Ann Clark
Chair & Director
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
Director & Vice Chair → Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne L. Moss
Director of Public & Inst Funding
Director of Campaign → Director of Public & Institutional Funding, 2023
Director of Public & Institutional Funding → Director of Public & Inst Funding, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$199K (2020) → $181K (2025)
Jessica L. Carter
Director of Parks & Public Engagement
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$183K (2025)
Joanna L. Nelson
Director of Sci & Conser Plan
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$185K (2025)
Abraham Tarapani
Vice Chair & Director
Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2023
Director & Treasurer → Vice Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Montague
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Scharffenberger
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael F. Wyatt
Treasurer & Director
Director & Secretary → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosemary Cameron
Vice Chair & Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William A. Croft
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Tuttle
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew K. Berler
Director
Director & Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Light
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Mahler
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Shapiro
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colby Hastings
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul C. Ringgold
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$195K (2020) → $272K (2025)
Tim M. Whalen
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $272K (2025)
Jeffrey Charles Hoelsken
General Counsel & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$42K (2023) → $243K (2025)
Linneth Lim
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer & Controller → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$141K (2023) → $241K (2025)
Kirsten S. Tobey
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$155K (2025)
Former officers (17)
- Former: C. Blake T. Williams (2020–2024) — Assistant Treasurer & Director
- Former: Caryl Hart (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Rolando G. Cohen (2020–2024) — CFO
- Former: Kristy Hsiao (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Rebecca L. Bremser (2022–2024) — Director of Land Protection
- Former: Jennifer Tapken (2023–2024) — COO
- Former: Georgia Young (2024) — Director of Development
- Former: Rona B. Kardener (2024) — Director of Human Resource
- Former: Andrew Vought (2020–2023) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Harry Pollack (2020–2023) — Former General Counsel & Assistant Secretary
- Former: Jennifer Benito-Kowalski (2020–2023) — Chief Communications Officer
- Former: Michael K. Woo (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie Sherwin (2023) — Director
- Former: Melissa Harris (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Becky Bremser (2020–2021) — Director of Land Protection
- Former: Margaret Light (2020) — Director
- Former: Matt Berler (2020) — Director & Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $344K, to Samuel M Hodder (President/CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 111 Sutter Street 11Th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 362-2352
Website: https://savetheredwoods.org
Frequently asked questions about Save the Redwoods League
How much does Save the Redwoods League give each year?
Save the Redwoods League gave $3.8M across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 32 grants.
What is Save the Redwoods League's typical grant size?
Save the Redwoods League's median grant in 2025 was $6,000, and its average grant was $105,823, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Save the Redwoods League that year got $189K on average.
Where does Save the Redwoods League give grants?
Save the Redwoods League gives mostly in District of Columbia: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (42%). The most frequent recipient cities were Arcata, CA (4 grants), San Francisco, CA (4 grants), Oakland, CA (3 grants) and Ukiah, CA (2 grants).
Does Save the Redwoods League give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on Save the Redwoods League's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education Grants" (22 grants), "Research Grants" (7 grants) and "Stewardship Grants" (3 grants).
Who are Save the Redwoods League's largest grantees?
Save the Redwoods League's largest 2025 grantees include Foundation for Americas Public Lands ($2,000,000), Yurok Tribe Fisheries Department ($566,683) and Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council ($279,855), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Save the Redwoods League?
Save the Redwoods League reported $208.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $68.1M.
What does Save the Redwoods League fund?
The League’s stated mission is to protect and restore redwood forests and connect people with their peace and beauty so these natural wonders flourish. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Save the Redwoods League?
For the Research Grants Program, submit a pre-proposal by email; selected applicants are invited to submit a full application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Save the Redwoods League's EIN?
Save the Redwoods League's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-0843915. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Save the Redwoods League by hand.
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