Western Conservation Action is a 501(c)(4) civic league and social welfare organization based in Denver, Colorado. The organization operates as an advocacy and grantmaking entity focused on strengthening the western conservation movement through direct action, education, and lobbying activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.1M
+35.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+44.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
+9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
+32.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Increase the strength, effectiveness, and political power of the western conservation movement.
The organization operates through two primary program areas:
Education and Advocacy — Bringing greater relevance to the western U.S. conservation community through advocacy, education, and lobbying activities.
Special Opportunities — Funding projects that complement the organization's mission but fall outside geographies that Western Conservation Action has historically focused on.
Primary funding focus areas include renewable energy, environmental education, science education, and community and school gardens.
Grantmaking
The organization funds nonprofits supporting public education activities and efforts to build conservation leaders across the western United States.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $7,500 to $420,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Western Conservation Action primarily funds work in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada, though the Special Opportunities program extends beyond these traditional geographic areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,130,713
- Total Revenue: $5,192,032
- Total Expenses: $4,114,809
- Net Income: $1,077,223
- Total Liabilities: $143,000
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,047,052
- Total Revenue: $4,373,855
- Total Expenses: $3,009,878
Revenue is primarily derived from contributions ($5,190,000 in 2024).
Program Expenses (2023):
- Education and Advocacy: $3,527,792
- Special Opportunities: $283,824
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,130,713 | $3,047,052 | $1,832,327 |
| Revenue | $5,192,032 | $4,373,855 | $1,691,268 |
| Expenses | $4,114,809 | $3,009,878 | $3,700,736 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,032 | $1,355 | $1,268 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
182 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Stewardship Utah ($250,000), Western Way Action ($240,000), Arizonans for a Clean Economy ($220,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMARGOSA CONSERVANCY SHOSHONE, CA | CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCAC | $75,000 |
| ARIZONA PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GR GILBERT, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCAC | $25,000 |
| ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL PHOENIX, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCAC | $95,000 |
| ARIZONANS FOR A CLEAN ECONOMY PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $220,000 |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC ACTION ALBUQUERQUE, NM | CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCAC | $95,000 |
| COLORADO COMMUNITIES FOR CLIMATE AC GOLDEN, CO | CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCAC | $30,000 |
| CONSERVATION COLORADO DENVER, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $80,000 |
| CONSERVATIVES FOR RESPONSIBLE STEWA OAKTON, VA | CONSERVATION ADVOCAC | $67,000 |
| DREAMS IN ACTION NM ALBUQUERQUE, NM | GENERAL SUPPORT | $132,000 |
| FAITH IN COLORADO DENVER, CO | CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCAC | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Brendon Cechovic
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRENDON CECHOVIC | BOARD MEMBER | 5 | — |
| SHARA KAPLIN | CHIEF OF STA | 5 | — |
| LEAH WIENEKE | CHIEF OPS OF | 5 | — |
| AARON BROWNING | DIR FRD PUBL | 5 | — |
| MONICA PIERGROSSI | PROGRAM DIRE | 20 | — |
| BRENNAN BILBERRY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LISA PAWLEK JAGUZNY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Western Conservation Action has been active in supporting conservation initiatives across the western region, including participation in habitat stewardship programs and grassroots conservation organization funding. The organization continues to expand its grantmaking portfolio while maintaining focus on advocacy and education activities that strengthen the broader conservation movement.
TCA Awards $410,000 to Grassroots Conservation OrganizationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Western Conservation Action fund?
**Mission:** Increase the strength, effectiveness, and political power of the western conservation movement. The organization operates through two primary program areas: 1. **Education and Advocacy** — Bringing greater relevance to the western U.S. conservation community through advocacy, education, and lobbying activities. 2. **Special Opportunities** — Funding projects that complement the organization's mission but fall outside geographies that Western Conservation Action has historically foc…
How do I apply for a grant from Western Conservation Action?
**Grant Activity:** Western Conservation Action made approximately $2.74 million in grants in 2024. **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $7,500 to $420,000. **Recent Grant Example:** A $250,000 general support grant was awarded in December 2023. The organization funds nonprofits supporting public education activities and efforts to build conservation leaders across the western United States.
Where does Western Conservation Action make grants?
Western Conservation Action primarily funds work in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada, though the Special Opportunities program extends beyond these traditional geographic areas.
What size grants does Western Conservation Action award?
In 2024, Western Conservation Action awarded 36 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $76K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Western Conservation Action's EIN?
Western Conservation Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8091495. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western Conservation Action's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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