Western Rivers Conservancy
Western Rivers Conservancy's mission is to protect outstanding river ecosystems in the western united states. We acquire land to conserve critical habitat, provide public access for compatible use and enjoyment, and cooperate with other organizations and agencies to secure the health of whole river ecosystems.
Western Rivers Conservancy at a glance
In short: Western Rivers Conservancy gave $4.0M across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $808K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,040,968
- -47.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $808,194
- -79.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $54,397,285
- -30.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Western Rivers Conservancy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The York Tribe a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe ($3.4M). Together the top 5 received $4.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 7 grants of 12 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Western Rivers Conservancy gives
- Giving grew 45005% 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 $9K (2022) to $7.8M (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $4.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The York Tribe a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe Klamath, CA | Restoration and Stewardship of Land | $3,355,968 |
| Colorado Open Lands Lakewood, CO | Restoration and Stewardship of Land | $500,000 |
| State of Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife Denver, CO | Restoration and Stewardship of Land | $100,000 |
| Esselen Tribe of Monterey County Carmel Valley, CA | Restoration and Stewardship of Land | $75,000 |
| Yes on Prop 4 Californians for Safe Drinking Water and Wildlife Prevention Sacramento, CA | Donation to Yes on Prop 4 Campaign | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,397,285 | $11,441,931 | $11,116,738 | $4,040,968 | 5 | $1,759,476 |
| 2024 | $78,470,097 | $25,203,080 | $15,610,993 | $7,704,187 | 2 | $1,555,971 |
| 2023 | $64,820,415 | $16,821,602 | $14,319,260 | $7,834,266 | 3 | $1,602,526 |
| 2022 | $69,706,599 | $6,069,985 | $14,727,214 | $8,959 | 1 | $-204,708 |
| 2021 | $58,994,549 | $12,098,253 | $18,980,670 | $4,004,000 | 1 | $1,219,256 |
| 2020 | $56,005,451 | $9,028,473 | $6,050,240 | $266,880 | 3 | $1,355,644 |
About Western Rivers Conservancy
Based on IRS filings
Western Rivers Conservancy is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Portland, OR. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $54.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $4.0M. Net investment income was $1.8M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Western Rivers Conservancy is led by Nelson Mathews, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nelson Mathews
President
Vice President → V.p. & Interim President, 2024
V.p. & Interim President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$174K (2020) → $240K (2025)
Carter Macnichol
Chair
Vice Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2024
Board Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Cox
Director of Donor Relations
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $133K (2025)
Josh Kling
Conservation Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$122K (2020) → $143K (2025)
Juliette Harding
Treasurer & Director of Finance
Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Finance & Administrator → Treasurer, Director of Finance & Administrator, 2022
Treasurer, Director of Finance & Administrator → Treasurer & Director of Finance, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$129K (2020) → $166K (2025)
Daniel Palmerlee
Director of Marketing & Communications
Director of Marketing & Comms. → Director of Marketing & Communications, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$124K (2023) → $151K (2025)
Heidi Wilcox
Director of Foundation & Corp. Relations
Director of Foundation & Corp. Relations → Director of Foundation & Corporate, 2024
Director of Foundation & Corporate → Director of Foundation & Corp. Relations, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $135K (2025)
Bill Brown
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Williams
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Smith
Director
Chair → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Grossman
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liam Thornton
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Loacker
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy McKay
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Wood
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen Damon
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rich Hasslacher
Director
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Wulfekuhle
Director
Board Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dechen Bartso
Assistant Secretary & Paralegal
Secretary & Paralegal → Assistant Secretary & Paralegal, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$53K (2022) → $102K (2025)
Julia Turrini
Secretary & Corporate Counsel
Board Secretary → Secretary & Corporate Counsel, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$151K (2025)
Anne M. Tattam
Associate Director Foundation Relations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$130K (2025)
Eric Adema
Vice Chair
Director → Board Director, 2024
Board Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Sue Doroff (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Peter Colby (2023–2024) — California Program Director
- Former: R. Willis Yarberry (2020–2022) — Director of Government Affairs
- Former: Shaun Hamilton (2020–2022) — Project Manager
- Former: Zach Spector (2022) — Project Manager
- Former: Betsy Jewett (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Darcy Saiget (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Peter Moyle (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sara Sandford (2020–2021) — Corporate Counsel
- Former: Jon Roush (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 $240K, to Nelson Mathews (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Western Rivers Conservancy
How much does Western Rivers Conservancy give each year?
Western Rivers Conservancy gave $4.0M across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.7M across 2 grants.
What is Western Rivers Conservancy's typical grant size?
Western Rivers Conservancy's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $808,194, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Western Rivers Conservancy give grants?
Western Rivers Conservancy gives mostly in California: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (15%).
Does Western Rivers Conservancy give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Western Rivers Conservancy's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Restoration and Stewardship of Land" (4 grants).
Who are Western Rivers Conservancy's largest grantees?
Western Rivers Conservancy's largest 2025 grantees include The York Tribe a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe ($3,355,968), Colorado Open Lands ($500,000) and State of Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Western Rivers Conservancy?
Western Rivers Conservancy reported $54.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.4M.
What is Western Rivers Conservancy?
Western Rivers Conservancy is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Portland, OR. It holds $54.4M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Western Rivers Conservancy's EIN?
Western Rivers Conservancy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1326405. 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 23, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Western Rivers Conservancy funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Western Rivers Conservancy's focus areas in our free grants database
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Western Rivers Conservancy down — hundreds of funders to go?