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Non-profit

California Trout (CalTrout)

Website:

caltrout.org/
Location:

San Francisco, CA
Tax ID:

23-7097680
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $20,921,260
Expenses: $18,695,298
Assets: $13,152,840
Type:

Environmental advocacy group
Formation:

1971
Executive Director:

Curtis Knight
Budget (2023):

Revenue: $19,318,319
Expenses: $20,757,230
Assets: $14,944,228

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California Trout (CalTrout) is a San Francisco-based environmentalist nonprofit organization founded in 1971 that advocates for polices in order to protect California’s wild trout, salmon, and steelhead populations along with the river systems that support them. CalTrout operates regional habitat restoration programs, conducts scientific research, and engages in policy advocacy related to fisheries and water management. 1 The organization is a public charity with reported revenues of $19.3 million in 2023. 2

Background

California Trout (CalTrout) was founded in 1971 by Richard May and a group of anglers that claimed to issue concern over the alleged decline in wild trout and steelhead populations in California. A day after its incorporation on January 4, 1971, CalTrout petitioned the Federal Power Commission (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as of 2025) to intervene in relicensing hearings for water and power diversions at the Van Arsdale Dam on the Eel River. 3

In 1972, CalTrout launched the California Wild Trout Program, aimed at protecting wild trout streams throughout the state. That same year, it supported the passage of the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which provided permanent protection to 1,800 miles of free-flowing rivers. 3

Programs

California Trout (CalTrout) operates several programs focused on restoring state populations and improving river health across the state of California. The organization runs regional efforts in key areas, including the Shasta-Lassen region, North Coast, South Coast, Central Valley, Sierra, and Bay Area. In addition to its regional programs, CalTrout oversees statewide initiatives such as its advocacy and engagement program and science program. 4

Leadership

Curtis Knight is the executive director of California Trout. Knight joined the organization in 2000 and previously held the role of conservation director beforehand. Prior to CalTrout, Knight was a project ecologist at The Nature Conservancy, a Virginia-based environmentalist nonprofit. 5

According to California Trout’s publicly available tax filings, additional members of its leadership team include chief administrative officer Alan J. Roesberry, director of development and communications Tracey Diaz, finance director Sharrin Rios, institutional giving director Gabriella Roff, program director Sandra Jacobson, and senior scientist Jacob Katz. 2

Finances

In 2023, CalTrout reported $19,318,319 in total revenue, with $19,328,563 coming from grants and public contributions. The organization’s expenses for the year totaled $20,757,230, exceeding its revenue by approximately $1.4 million. As of 2022, CalTrout reported total assets of $14,944,228. 2

Funding

In 2023, California Trout received $762,933 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for a fish passage design project. 6 That same year, it received $352,633 from the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program. 7 In 2022, the organization received $540,000 from the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund (GSPF). 8

References

  1. California Trout, 10 Apr. 2024, https://caltrout.org/.
  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – California Trout Full Filing. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237097680/202421369349314252/full.
  3. “Historical Timeline: 50 Years of Impact.” California Trout, 11 Jan. 2021, https://www.caltrout.org/50th/timeline.
  4. “Projects/Programs.” California Trout, 4 Oct. 2013, https://www.caltrout.org/regions/south-coast-region/keystone-initiative-empowering-local-action/scrsc/projectsprograms.
  5. “Curtis Knight.” LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-knight-b9454714/.
  6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Full Filing. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521384139/202402269349300850/full
  7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Full Filing. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/232888152/202441359349309439/full.
  8.  ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Full Filing. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311774905/202312859349302266/full.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: April 1, 1971

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Jun Form 990 $20,921,260 $18,695,298 $13,152,840 $3,967,716 N $20,891,241 $0 $10,492 $518,680
    2021 Jun Form 990 $17,085,987 $13,426,178 $11,384,181 $4,540,800 N $16,983,761 $40,210 $5,542 $366,900
    2020 Jun Form 990 $9,238,117 $8,404,298 $4,942,888 $1,759,316 N $9,151,605 $56,657 $7,644 $378,064 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $9,610,769 $8,856,551 $4,295,897 $1,946,144 N $4,143,899 $5,668,314 $9,154 $304,780 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $6,961,537 $6,929,904 $3,314,687 $1,719,152 N $3,465,037 $3,474,261 $1,053 $281,100 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $4,978,809 $5,896,349 $2,428,271 $864,369 N $2,926,897 $2,045,822 $1,017 $264,208 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $6,977,384 $5,482,405 $3,587,256 $1,105,814 N $4,487,934 $2,372,817 $43 $254,188 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $4,653,511 $4,700,603 $1,688,669 $702,206 N $2,219,673 $2,330,541 $85 $226,866 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $2,288,394 $3,840,706 $1,704,851 $671,296 N $1,330,379 $922,340 $78 $280,557 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $2,703,826 $2,864,006 $5,498,681 $2,912,814 N $2,672,850 $0 $727 $262,500 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $2,844,376 $2,491,081 $3,113,210 $369,545 N $2,763,959 $0 $2,154 $291,800 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $2,661,703 $1,877,856 $2,554,094 $163,724 N $2,538,230 $0 $5,298 $230,309 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    California Trout (CalTrout)

    435 PACIFIC AVE STE 200
    San Francisco, CA 94133-4664