The Wetlands Initiative
To restore the wetland resources of the midwest to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and reduce flood damage. The Wetlands Initiative seeks to conduct and support high-quality restoration projects though direct, on-the-ground work and by forming larger partnerships to demonstrate innovative ways to finance large-scale wetland restoration, such as water quality trading markets with a focus on science-based, economically sustainable projects and collaborative work with public agencies, the organization's goal is to develop restoration methods and models that others may copy.
The Wetlands Initiative at a glance
In short: The Wetlands Initiative gave $31K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,500
- +146.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,250
- +23.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,250
- Total assets
- $12,709,496
- +5.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Wetlands Initiative funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Calumet Collaborative ($19K). Together the top 2 received $31K.
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 3 (100%).
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2023) to $31K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Calumet Collaborative Chicago, IL | Support for a Community Engagement Consultant. | $18,500 |
| Brown Faces Green Spaces Inc Gary, IN | Support for Little Calumet River-Chase Street Restoration Project. | $12,000 |
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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 | $12,709,496 | $3,465,450 | $2,723,493 | $30,500 | 2 | $127,855 |
| 2023 | $12,021,467 | $1,976,921 | $2,801,091 | $12,398 | 1 | $66,168 |
| 2022 | $13,019,424 | $4,955,328 | $2,791,326 | — | — | $35,483 |
| 2021 | $10,732,259 | $2,934,398 | $2,348,685 | — | — | $-28 |
| 2020 | $10,049,194 | $2,434,760 | $1,984,747 | — | — | $1,927 |
About The Wetlands Initiative
Based on IRS filings
The Wetlands Initiative is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $12.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $31K. Net investment income was $128K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wetlands Initiative is led by Paul R. Botts, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul R. Botts
President
Director & President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$138K (2020) → $157K (2024)
Charles T. Pick
Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abigail Mattson
Director of Development & Committee
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Allen D. Grosboll
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Gardner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Byron Goulding
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carl R. Yudell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Repenning
Director
Director & Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher B. Burke PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas F. Stotz PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward K. Chandler
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George M. Covington
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John W. Robinson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark D. Maffei PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael B. Zeddies Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven M. Ryan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Freyer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William F. Dooley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chinmay Soman PhD
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Sullivan
Senior Restoration Ecologist
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Jill Kostel
Senior Environmental Engineer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Linda M. Kurtz
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebeccah A. Sanders
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Bruce M. Becker (2020–2023) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Thomas J. Conrad (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert Hutchinson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard P. Toft (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 $157K, to Paul Botts (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Wetlands Initiative
How much does The Wetlands Initiative give each year?
The Wetlands Initiative gave $31K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $12K across 1 grant.
How large is The Wetlands Initiative?
The Wetlands Initiative reported $12.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What is The Wetlands Initiative?
The Wetlands Initiative is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $12.7M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Wetlands Initiative operate?
The Wetlands Initiative has awarded grants in Illinois, Indiana.
What is The Wetlands Initiative's EIN?
The Wetlands Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3942451. 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Wetlands Initiative funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wetlands Initiative's focus areas in our free grants database
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