California Trout (CalTrout)
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
Contents
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
Financial Statistics
Total Assets
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
| Year | Total Assets | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,321,482 | $22,870,279 | $23,336,326 | View |
| 2023 | $14,944,228 | $19,318,319 | $20,757,230 | View |
| 2022 | $13,152,840 | $20,921,260 | $18,695,298 | View |
| 2021 | $11,384,181 | $17,085,987 | $13,426,178 | View |
| 2020 | $4,942,888 | $9,238,117 | $8,404,298 | View |
Prior year filings: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Revenue Detail
Expenses Detail
Employee Compensation
- Number of Employees: 60
Highest Earning Employees
Grant Activity
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
- Total Grant Value: $32,298,861
- Number of Grants: 727
- Number of Funders: 158
Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years: