Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Chestnut Foundation
Address:	160 Zillicoa Avenue, Suite D
	Asheville, NC 28801
Phone:	828-281-0047 828-281-0047
Web Address:	www.acf.org

ACF meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

To restore the American chestnut, TACF breeds blight-resistant trees to reintroduce into the forest. The organization reports having research farms in Meadowview, VA, where over 56,000 trees are planted on over 150 + acres. The research farm supports breeding and genetic research. In support of this effort, TACF reports that it operates 300 other nurseries across the eastern U.S. to ensure that trees that are genetically variable and adapted to a variety of climates are developed. TACF has 16 state chapters with approximately 6,000 members located throughout the chestnut’s native range. Members identify flowering American chestnuts, pollinate these survivors, and establish and maintain local orchards. Members also educate the public about the American chestnut using educational materials developed by TACF such as The Chestnut Learning Box and The Charlie Chestnut Environmental Education program. The organization also works with a network of partners from backyard orchard growers, to colleges and universities, and the U.S. Forest Service. One of its key partnerships is with the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative to restore mine lands in Appalachia to their original mixed-species hardwood forests.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, ACF's program expenses were:

Program service	1,703,877
Total Program Expenses:	$1,703,877

Chief Executive : Bryan Burhans, President and CEO

Compensation*:

$120,000

Chair of the Board: Glen Rea
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Senior Account Executive, Means Investment

Board Size: 39

Paid Staff Size: 19

*July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,104,240, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on ACF's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds
Contributions and foundation grants	1,057,116
Federal grants	475,452
Membership dues	307,692
Donated services	263,500
Investment return	142,850
Merchandise sales, net	28,587
Advertising income	10,600
Other suppoort and revenue	1,408
Donated supplies	480
Total Income	$2,287,685

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 78%  Fund Raising: 4%  Administrative: 18%

Total income				$2,287,685
	Program expenses			$1,703,877
	Fund raising expenses			85,795
	Administrative expenses			383,866
Total expenses				$2,173,538
Income in Excess of Expenses				114,147
Beginning net assets				3,040,011
Ending net assets				3,154,158
Total liabilities				725,755
Total assets				$3,879,913

Note: In ACF's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the organization received in-kind contributions in the amount of $263,980 which includes professional scientific services ($235,000), legal/editorial/secretarial services ($28,500), and supplies ($480).