Western Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Denver, Colorado, established in 2005. The organization is an environmentalist grantmaking foundation that provides funding to nonprofit organizations supporting conservation efforts across the western United States. The foundation focuses on building leaders and champions for conservation while educating the public about environmental issues and actions taken by public officials that impact natural resources.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.1M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.6M
+14.3% YoY
Grant Count
114
+18.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$66K
-3.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Building leaders to protect the West's land, air, and water.
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations through grants focused on:
- Education: Building champions for conservation by bringing new voices to the conservation debate, identifying timely issues, and educating the public about actions taken by public officials that impact western United States natural resources
- Special Opportunities: Funding projects that complement the foundation's mission but fall outside historically targeted geographies
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$50,000
How to Apply
** The foundation accepts applications and is open to grant proposals.
Ready to take the next step with Western Conservation Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Colorado, California, and New Mexico, with capacity to support projects in other western states that align with its conservation mission.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,928,047 | 2023 |
| Total Assets | $8,064,628 | 2024 |
| Total Revenues | $14,955,171 | 2023 |
| Total Expenses | $13,894,191 | 2023 |
| Total Giving | $7,581,562 | 2024 |
| Annual Revenue | $17,093,075 | Recent |
| Giving Rate | 83.5% of assets | 2024 |
Staffing: The foundation employs 24 staff members as of 2023.
Financial Rating: The foundation received a 97% score and Four-Star rating based on accountability and financial metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,064,628 | $7,928,047 | $6,746,323 |
| Revenue | $14,580,557 | $14,955,171 | $12,702,937 |
| Expenses | $14,382,287 | $13,894,191 | $12,592,869 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $141,716 | $166,171 | $60,937 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arizona Wildlife Federation ($229,000), Indigenous Voices of Nevada ($158,137), California Environmental Voters Edu ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350 COLORADO BOULDER, CO | CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATI | $20,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR A JUST SOCIETY SEATTLE, WA | CONSERVATION EDUCATI | $30,000 |
| AMARGOSA CONSERVANCY SHOSHONE, CA | CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATI | $20,000 |
| ARIZONA FAITH NETWORK PHOENIX, AZ | CONSERVATION EDUCATI | $85,000 |
| ARIZONA HERITAGE ALLIANCE PHOENIX, AZ | CONSERVATION EDUCATI | $10,000 |
| ARIZONA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT TEMPE, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATI | $55,000 |
| ARIZONA PIRG EDUCATION FUND GILBERT, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATI | $15,000 |
| ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION PHOENIX, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATI | $33,000 |
| ARIZONA SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRIES SCOTTSDALE, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATI | $45,000 |
| ARIZONA TRAIL ASSOCIATION TUCSON, AZ | CONSERVATION EDUCATI | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chief Executive Officer: Brandon Cechovic
- Chief of Staff: Shara Kaplin
- Government Relations Director: Matt McKnight
- Deputy Director, Federal Public Lands Programs - Western: Hannah Clark
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRENDON CECHOVIC | CEO | 28 | $191,129 |
| SHARA KAPLIN | CHIEF OF STA | 28 | $163,537 |
| LEAH WIENEKE | CHIEF OPS OF | 29 | $145,161 |
| AARON BROWNING | DIR FED PUBL | 39 | $203,875 |
| MONICA PIERGROSSI | PROGRAM DIRE | 13 | $60,550 |
| BRENNAN BILBERRY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LISA PAWLEK JAGUZNY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CHRIS KILLINGSWORTH | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MOLLY MCUSIC | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| BILL ROBERTS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1675 Larimer Street, Suite 420, Denver, CO 80202
- Phone: 720-249-4272
- Website: www.wcfnd.org
- Tax ID (EIN): 33-1107506
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Western Conservation Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Building leaders to protect the West's land, air, and water. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations through grants focused on: • **Education:** Building champions for conservation by bringing new voices to the conservation debate, identifying timely issues, and educating the public about actions taken by public officials that impact western United States natural resources • **Special Opportunities:** Funding projects that complement the foundation's mission but fall outsid…
How do I apply for a grant from Western Conservation Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Typical grant awards range from $6,000 to $362,500 • 2024: 96 grants totaling $6.6 million • 2023: 89 grants totaling $6.7 million • Median grant size: $50,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Western Conservation Action: $345,000 • Wild Montana (Montana Wilderness Association): $225,000 • National Wildlife Federation: $210,000 • Vet Voice Foundation: $210,000 • Conservation Colorado Education Fund: $172,000 • New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: $169,000 • Arizona Wildlif…
Where does Western Conservation Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Colorado, California, and New Mexico, with capacity to support projects in other western states that align with its conservation mission.
What size grants does Western Conservation Foundation award?
In 2024, Western Conservation Foundation awarded 114 grants totaling $7.6M — an average of about $66K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Western Conservation Foundation's EIN?
Western Conservation Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-1107506. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western Conservation Foundation'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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