Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation

What Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation does

The Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation (ASFPM Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, co-located with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). It functions as the philanthropic and program arm of ASFPM, advancing education, scholarship, and applied research in floodplain management and community flood resilience. The Foundation does not sell a commercial product; instead it operates a portfolio of programs including the Future Leaders Scholarship (up to $20,000 per year for two years to undergraduates in flood-risk fields), the Annual Student Paper Competition, K-12 grants, the RISE Challenge (grades 5-10 stakeholder competition co-developed with Earth Force and FEMA), the biennial Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum, the Larry A. Larson Speaker Series, and state-level flood risk symposia across 12+ states.

The Foundation also funds applied projects through its grants program, with 22+ projects funded since 2016 spanning toolkits such as the No Adverse Impact (NAI) Toolkit, the Elevation Certificate Reference Guide, and a Guide for Elected Officials, as well as commissioned research including an AI utility assessment for floodplain management documents. Its technology footprint is modest and non-proprietary: an in-house Instructional Design Specialist builds online courses hosted on BlueSky's Path Learning Management System using Articulate Storyline and Rise 360, with the corporate website (asfpmfoundation.org) serving as the primary application and donation portal, and PayPal as the payment processor.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model combining individual donations, recurring giving, tribute/memorial gifts, corporate sponsorships (notably engineering firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, Stantec, HDR, Tetra Tech, and others underwriting the national forums), planned giving/bequests, employer matching gifts, and in-kind contributions. The customer base is a multi-segmented vertical: students seeking scholarships, K-12 educators and students, floodplain management professionals, and state/local government entities. The organization operates with approximately 8 staff, including shared roles with ASFPM, and is governed by a Board of Trustees with a Fellows Program (since 2016) providing volunteer and fundraising support.

Name

Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation

Legal name

Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation

Website

https://asfpmfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The ASFPM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1996 in Madison, WI, that supports floodplain management education, scholarships, and policy through programs serving students, professionals, and communities nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Floodplain Management Education and Research

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Emergency Preparedness & Response Funding (Public Health) (HLAJALAL)

Keywords

• Flood risk management
• Disaster resilience education
• Nonprofit scholarships grants
• Floodplain policy research
• Community resilience programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily funded through charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Revenue is generated through annual giving programs, one-time donations, recurring donations, and tribute/memorial gifts.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events including the Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forums, state symposia, and the Larry A. Larson Speaker Series. Sponsorships include Forum & Reception Sponsors and Forum Only Sponsors at various tiers.
3. Planned Giving: The Foundation accepts planned giving options including bequests, trusts, and other estate planning instruments that provide long-term sustainable funding.
4. Matching Gifts: Many employers match donations made by their employees, amplifying individual contributions through corporate matching programs.
5. Corporate and In-Kind Gifts: Companies and individuals can donate services, sponsor events, or partner through in-kind contributions and direct funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The ASFPM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances flood risk management and community resilience through scholarships (Future Leaders Scholarship, Student Paper Competition), K-12 grants, the RISE Challenge, and convenings such as the Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum, Larry A. Larson Speaker Series, and State Flood Risk Symposia. It also funds applied research and toolkits (e.g., the No Adverse Impact Toolkit, AI in floodplain management research) and supports professional development via instructional design within BlueSky's Path Learning Management System. Operations are funded through charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and matching gifts rather than product sales.

Product overview

The ASFPM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education, policy, and research that strengthens flood risk management and resilience. Rather than a unified software product, the Foundation offers a portfolio of programs including the Future Leaders Scholarship (offering up to $20,000 annually for undergraduate students in floodplain management fields), the Annual Student Paper Competition (engaging graduate and undergraduate students with prizes up to $1,600), and the K-12 Grants program supporting educational initiatives. Additional offerings include the RISE Challenge (a grades 5-10 student competition developed with Earth Force and FEMA), the biennial Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum (exploring topics including Big Data and AI in floodplain management), the Larry A. Larson Speaker Series, and State Flood Risk Symposia. The Foundation also funds projects including the No Adverse Impact (NAI) Toolkit, Elevation Certificate Reference Guide, and Guide for Elected Officials. Funding of 22+ projects has been allocated since 2016.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Future Leaders Scholarship Scholarship offering up to $20,000 per year for two years to undergraduate students committed to careers that reduce flood risk and impacts on communities, with applications due February 1 annually.
• Annual Student Paper Competition
• K-12 Grants Program Grants to K-12 schools and programs that engage students in understanding and addressing natural hazards through hands-on learning and civic engagement, including flood-resilient school infrastructure and STEM curricula.
• RISE Challenge Classroom learning, competition, and summit program engaging students in grades 5-10 in exploring community vulnerabilities to natural disasters and developing resilience ideas, developed in partnership with Earth Force and FEMA with a $15,000 annual ASFPM Foundation contribution.
• Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum Biennial invitational policy forum convening 100+ national experts to explore pressing floodplain management issues including Big Data, AI, urban flooding, climate-informed sciences, coastal management, and flood standards, and to develop recommendations for U.S. floodplain management practice.
• Larry A. Larson Speaker Series Speaker series creating opportunities for interaction among thought leaders on flood risk reduction policy, covering community-based flood risk management, nature-based solutions, AI in floodplain management, and coastal adaptation.
• State Flood Risk Symposia Regional symposia co-hosted with ASFPM state chapters focusing on local and regional flood risk management challenges, proposed action items, and progress measurement.

Quantifiable outcome

• $240,000 in scholarships awarded to 7 future leaders since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• Earth ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASFPM Foundation partners with Earth Force on the RISE Challenge program, which engages students in grades 5-10 in natural hazard education and community resilience. The Foundation provides $15,000 annual contribution and floodplain management professionals as volunteers for judging and classroom visits. Originally developed as Rocky Mountain Environmental Challenge (RMEC), the program was rebranded to RISE Challenge in 2020.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEMA partnered with Earth Force and ASFPM Foundation to develop the RISE Challenge program. FEMA provides experts and resources to further natural hazards education and create more resilient communities. FEMA has also been involved in state symposia programming.
• AECOMflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerForum & Reception Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum on Big Data & AI. AECOM has been a long-standing supporter of Foundation events, with representatives participating in forum planning and execution.
• OST GlobalflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerForum & Reception Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• AtkinsRealismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• Michael Baker InternationalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum. Michael Baker has been a consistent sponsor across multiple forum years.
• CDM SmithmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• DewberrymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• HDRmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• JacobsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• Moffatt & NicholmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum. ASFPM Foundation President Doug Plasencia is associated with Moffatt & Nichol.
• StantecmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• Tetra TechmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForum Only Sponsor for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum.
• George Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the 2025 Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum and 2010 Forum. Academic partner providing conference facilities for national policy discussions.
• ASFPM State ChapterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASFPM state chapters (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas) co-host state flood risk symposia with the Foundation, choosing topic focus and developing invitee lists.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• APA Foundation (American Planning Association): The philanthropic arm of the American Planning Association, funding research and education on community planning, including resilience and hazard mitigation. Comparable as a profession-aligned foundation supporting workforce development, scholarships, and applied community-resilience research.
• Resources for the Future: An independent nonprofit research institution focused on energy, environmental, and natural resource policy. Comparable as a policy-research and education nonprofit in the climate/environmental domain with similar small-staff operating model.
• Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI): A nonprofit focused on environmental policy education for policymakers, professionals, and the public. Comparable mission of advancing environmental/climate policy awareness and education through convenings and educational programming.
• ASCE Foundation: The philanthropic arm of the American Society of Civil Engineers, supporting scholarships, grants, and programs for civil engineering students and professionals. Highly comparable as a profession-affiliated foundation funding workforce development and applied research in engineering-adjacent fields.
• American Water Resources Association (AWRA): A professional association focused on water resources including flood risk management, with its own scholarships and student programs. Comparable mission and audience overlap with ASFPM Foundation's student scholarship and conference programs.
• Earth Force: A national environmental education nonprofit that co-develops and co-delivers the RISE Challenge with the Foundation. Directly comparable as a civic-engagement, K-12 natural-hazards education partner serving overlapping student and educator audiences.
• Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM): The parent/sister 501(c)(6) professional association whose members, conferences, and policy work the Foundation exists to support. ASFPM provides the Foundation with its professional audience (1,200+ attendees), shared staff, brand credibility, and state-chapter infrastructure, making it the closest functional peer.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest U.S. environmental nonprofits, operating climate-resilience and floodplain-related programs at significantly greater scale. Comparable as a major environmental grantmaker/donor competing for philanthropic dollars in overlapping climate-adaptation and resilience categories.
• National Wildlife Federation: A large national environmental nonprofit with significant education and conservation programming. Comparable as a competitor for environmental/climate philanthropic dollars and as a provider of K-12 and community-level environmental education at greater scale.

Others

• Floods.org (parent organization contact domain): The shared web and email infrastructure used by both ASFPM and ASFPM Foundation. Included as an ecosystem reference point given that the Foundation's contact and digital operations run through the floods.org domain, illustrating the close operational coupling with ASFPM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asfpmfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation