Trees Water and People
Trees, water and people is dedicated to provide a community-based approach to sustainable development through reforestation, watershed protection, cleantech and clean cookstoves, and educational programs in latin America and indigenous lands in the united states. Our work is guided by two core beliefs: natural resources are best protected when the local community plays an active role in their care and management; and the preservation of local ecosystems is essential for ongoing social, economic and environmental health of communities everywhere.
Trees Water and People at a glance
In short: Trees Water and People gave $128K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $127,754
- +167.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,292
- +78.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,774
- Total assets
- $2,323,807
- +28.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (51% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Trees Water and People funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jemez Pueblo Dept of Natural Resources ($39K). Together the top 6 received $128K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 20 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Trees Water and People gives
- Giving grew 37% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $36K (2020) to $143K (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $128K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jemez Pueblo Dept of Natural Resources Jemez Pueblo, NM | Program Support | $39,325 |
| Conservation Legacy Durango, CO | Program Support | $36,300 |
| Kwiyagat Community Academy Towaoc, CO | Program Support | $15,548 |
| Red Cloud Renewable Pine Ridge, SD | Program Support | $14,000 |
| CSU Foundation Fort Collins, CO | Sponsorship | $13,200 |
| Impact Investing Lenexa, KS | Program Support | $9,381 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,323,807 | $2,782,775 | $2,874,386 | $127,754 | 6 | $32,516 |
| 2024 | $1,805,989 | $2,525,907 | $2,427,483 | $47,799 | 4 | $72,646 |
| 2023 | $1,710,722 | $2,235,395 | $2,057,487 | $143,218 | 4 | $-7,512 |
| 2022 | $1,567,766 | $2,144,674 | $1,975,487 | $93,036 | 4 | $4,319 |
| 2021 | $1,435,985 | $1,570,462 | $1,555,450 | $47,800 | 2 | $5,539 |
| 2020 | $1,326,116 | $1,526,574 | $1,350,314 | $36,213 | 4 | $9,654 |
About Trees Water and People
Based on IRS filings
Trees Water and People is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Fort Collins, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $128K. Net investment income was $33K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Trees Water and People is led by Irene Romsa, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Irene Romsa
President
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Thayer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Thayer
Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2021
Secretary & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raul Tuazon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyrone Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Brown
Director
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Taylor
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Sarason
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sebastian Africano
Executive Di
Executive Director → Executive Di, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$65K (2020) → $104K (2025)
Jenny Bramhall
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Becker
Treasurer
Vice President → Director, 2022
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Zillis
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Henry Mouton (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Jake Tornatzky (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Stuart Conway (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Juan Pablo Castaneda (2022) — Director
- Former: James Welch (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Higgins (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lara Williams (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Hargis (2020) — Director
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 $104K, to Sebastian Africano (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Trees Water and People
How much does Trees Water and People give each year?
Trees Water and People gave $128K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $48K across 4 grants.
What is Trees Water and People's typical grant size?
Trees Water and People's median grant in 2025 was $14,774, and its average grant was $21,292, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Trees Water and People give grants?
Trees Water and People gives mostly in Colorado: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Mexico (31%) and South Dakota (11%).
Does Trees Water and People give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Trees Water and People's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (5 grants).
Who are Trees Water and People's largest grantees?
Trees Water and People's largest 2025 grantees include Jemez Pueblo Dept of Natural Resources ($39,325), Conservation Legacy ($36,300) and Kwiyagat Community Academy ($15,548), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Trees Water and People?
Trees Water and People reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What is Trees Water and People?
Trees Water and People is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Fort Collins, CO. It holds $2.3M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Trees Water and People's EIN?
Trees Water and People's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1462044. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 2020 (received by the IRS July 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Trees Water and People's focus areas in our free grants database
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