Our Impact Areas
FORESTS
Support working forests and the use of sustainable forest management practices for the health and retention of U.S. forests.
Communities
Work with trusted partners within rural forest-reliant communities to build economic prosperity and resilience.
Markets
Support forest industry processes and products, both traditional (e.g., paper mills, sawmills) and emerging (e.g., biochar, carbon).
$26.6M
Total amount awarded in 2023
32
States (and DC) where projects were awarded in 2023
100
Total awards in 2023
$10K-$1.8M
Range of amounts awarded in 2023
2023 FUNDING PARTNERS
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN
Chris McIver
Chairman
Peter Madden
President and Secretary
In our 17th year, we increased our project impact and supported our partners and grantees in their quest to shape the future of forestry.
The Endowment occupies a unique niche. We are the nation’s largest public charity dedicated to working forests, but we put equal emphasis on the health and vitality of forest-reliant communities. Benefitting the North American forest industry is in our DNA. We also seek to ensure that America’s forests are sustainably managed to meet broad, societal objectives, such as marketable products, clean waters and other ecological services, and wildlife habitat. This is a tall order.
The future of forestry is bright. We will continue to collaborate with public and philanthropic partners to steward and shape the future of forests for all their environmental, societal, and economic benefits and values.
COMMERCIALIZING BIOCHAR
Shaping the future of forestry often requires a comprehensive approach to developing new products, such as biochar. Biochar can provide revenue to forest owners by generating carbon credits and for its value as a soil amendment for crops or as a water purifier. It offers a market-based approach for removing small-diameter trees that contribute to wildfire risk and forest health challenges.
REFORESTING LEGACY MINE LANDS
Developing market-based solutions to reforestation and forestry-focused natural climate solutions is vital to creating a bright forestry future. That’s why the Endowment supports partners like Bosland Growth that is spearheading the Legacy Mine Land Restoration Initiative throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Pioneering Transparency in the Forest Supply Chain
New technologies can streamline sustainable forest management for a better forest future. ForesTrust, LLC, is a groundbreaking venture and collaboration between the Endowment, Chainparency, and consortium members. It uses blockchain technology to support a secure and efficient forest product and fiber supply chain.
SFLR: A Leading Voice for African American Forest Landowners
For 10 years, the Endowment and the American Forest Foundation administered the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Network (SFLR). Now the members have agreed to incorporate as a standalone non-profit organization to better serve as a leading voice for African American landowners.
Creating Equitable Workplaces so all can benefit from forests
In 2023, the Endowment led the formation of the U.S. Forest and Wood Products Inclusion Council. The Council’s vision is to create equitable workplaces where people feel valued, safe, and that they belong, so that all people can sustain and benefit from forests.
The Future Forest Economy Initiative
Using a $3 million Congressional appropriation to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Endowment partnered with the Northern Forest Center to launch the Future Forest Economy Initiative to increase production, commercialization, and use of wood products in the Northeast and New York over five years.
Preparing Plan B: A Guidebook for Forest Industry-Reliant Communities Facing Economic Transition
In response to the critical need for proactive strategies in forest industry-reliant communities facing economic challenges, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) announces the launch of Preparing Plan B: A Guidebook for Forest Industry-Reliant Communities Facing Economic Transition.
