Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc
The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc. is a public charity based in Aiken, South Carolina. It brings together state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to share information, coordinate resources, and support fish and wildlife management and conservation in the Southeast.
Key facts about Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc
In short: Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc gave $867K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $87K), top state Maryland. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 57-0542609
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $867,194
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- Average grant
- $86,719
- Median grant
- $60,035
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,409,243
- Primary geography
- Maryland (35% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
+14.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$867K
-14.8% YoY
Grant Count
10
-28.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$87K
+19.3% YoY
Is Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $152K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $148K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 organization’s stated mission is to provide a forum for state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to share ideas and information, pool resources, and initiate actions benefiting fish and wildlife management and conservation in the Southeast. Its stated activities include sponsoring fish, wildlife, law enforcement, and public education programs; reviewing legislation and regulations; and consulting with federal wildlife and public land agencies.
The organization reports supporting the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, habitat and population projects, a Native Black Bass Initiative, and local habitat protection efforts. It also supports the annual SEAFWA conference, student participation and career outreach, the SEAFWA Journal, awards, BearWise, and GatorWise. Its filing says it awards grants to nonprofit and governmental entities, including partner agencies, to help coordinate work among member states and improve fish and wildlife habitats.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 10 grants totaling $867,194. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $300,000, with a median of $60,035. The largest grants included $300,000 to MGH Inc. in Maryland and $148,000 to CJ Aquatic Restoration LLC in Mississippi, both for partnering on fish and wildlife projects. Other grants included $121,210 to the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation for Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow, $86,981 to the Habersham Board of Commissioners, $70,070 to Clemson University, and $50,000 to Blue Ion LLC. The remaining reported grants were $37,833 to the University of Tennessee, $30,600 to Southwick Associates Inc., $15,000 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and $7,500 to Fur Takers of America.
The University of Tennessee describes its own mission as promoting, encouraging, and aiding scientific, social, and educational investigation and research by assisting the marketing of technologies. The organization’s filing says it normally requires grantees to submit a budget and a report detailing spending by line item, and that grantees also normally report program-specific benchmarks.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated geographic focus is the Southeast. Its member agencies represent Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For its 2024 grants, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland (35%), Mississippi (17%), Illinois (14%), South Carolina (14%), and Georgia (12%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $451K (2020) to $1.4M (2021). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $867K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was MGH Inc ($300K). Together the top 10 received $867K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 60 (55%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MGH Inc Hunt Valley, MD | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $300,000 |
| CJ Aquatic Restoration LLC Tupelo, MS | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $148,000 |
| Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation Dundee, IL | Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow | $121,210 |
| Habersham Board of Commissioners Clarkesville, GA | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $86,981 |
| Clemson University Clemson, SC | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $70,070 |
| Blue Ion LLC Charleston, SC | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $50,000 |
| University of Tennessee Chattanooga, TN | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $37,833 |
| Southwick Associates Inc Fernandina Beach, FL | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $30,600 |
| Georgia Department of Natural Resources Atlanta, GA | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $15,000 |
| Fur Takers of America Oxford, NJ | Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects | $7,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,409,243 | $2,092,784 | $1,975,316 | $867,194 |
| 2023 | $1,228,030 | $2,184,537 | $2,115,432 | $1,017,518 |
| 2022 | $1,149,305 | $2,153,262 | $2,150,327 | $1,071,168 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,409,243 | $1,228,030 | $1,149,305 |
| Revenue | $2,092,784 | $2,184,537 | $2,153,262 |
| Expenses | $1,975,316 | $2,115,432 | $2,150,327 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,102 | $11,448 | $1,680 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ryan Brown as president and director; Ted Will as vice-president and director; Lynn Posey as secretary-treasurer and director; Jason Maxedon and Wade Free as at-large executive board members and directors; and Rich Storm, Tyler Bosworth, Doug Schoenrock, Jason Sumners, and Kyle Briggs as directors.
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc is led by Ross Melinchuk, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 2 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ross Melinchuk
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$49K (2022) → $70K (2024)
Ryan Brown
President & Director
Secretary-Treasurer & Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
Vice President & Director → President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paul Johansen
Past President & Director
Past President & Director → Director, 2022
Director → Past President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Rich Storm
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ted Will
Vice President & Director
Director → Secretary-Treasurer & Director, 2022
Secretary-Treasurer & Director → Vice President & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jason Maxedon
At-Large Executive Board Member & Director
Director → At-Large Executive Board Member & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Lynn Posey
Secretary-Treasurer & Director
Director → Secretary-Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Nicole Angeli
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
David Yoskowitz
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Roger Young
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Jason Sumners
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Wade Free
At-Large Executive Board Member & Director
Director → At-Large Executive Board Member & Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Doug Schoenrock
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Kyle Briggs
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Open Seat-Alabama
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Thoms S. Milliken
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Tyler Bosworth
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Angelyn R. Mewborn
Finance Manager
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$45K (2020) → $61K (2024)
Former officers (14)
- Former: Austin Booth (2020–2023) — At-Large Exective Board Member & Director
- Former: Cameron Ingram (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Charles Sykes (2020–2023) — At-Large Exective Board Member & Director
- Former: Robert Boyles (2020–2023) — President & Director
- Former: Madison Sheahan (2023) — Director
- Former: Curtis R. Hopkins (2020–2022) — Former Executive Secretary
- Former: Eric Sutton (2020–2022) — Past President & Director
- Former: Jd Strong (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sara Parker Pauley (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Rob Shadoin (2022) — Director
- Former: Carter Smith (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jack Montoucet (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bobby Wilson (2020) — Director
- Former: Sam Polles (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 $70K, to Ross Melinchuk (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1487 Herndon Dairy Road, Aiken, SC 29803
Phone: (512) 202-5433
Frequently asked questions about Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc
How much does Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc give each year?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc gave $867K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 14 grants.
What is Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's typical grant size?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's median grant in 2024 was $60,035, and its average grant was $86,719, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc that year got $152K on average.
Where does Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc give grants?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's top state is Maryland, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Mississippi (17%) and Illinois (14%).
Does Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Partnering on Fish and Wildlife Projects" (9 grants).
Who are Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's largest grantees?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's largest 2024 grantees include MGH Inc ($300,000), CJ Aquatic Restoration LLC ($148,000) and Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation ($121,210), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.1M.
What does Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to provide a forum for state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to share ideas and information, pool resources, and initiate actions benefiting fish and wildlife management and conservation in the Southeast. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's EIN?
Southeastern Assoc of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0542609. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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