Indiana Forest Alliance

What Indiana Forest Alliance does

Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered at 615 N Alabama Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the only organization dedicated solely to the protection and advocacy of Indiana's public forest land, with an explicit focus on the state's 158,019 acres of state forests and 203,000 acres of national forest. IFA operates a portfolio of interconnected programs combining rigorous scientific research with grassroots advocacy and, when necessary, legal action. Its core scientific asset is the Ecoblitz program, a multi-year systematic biodiversity inventory of Indiana's hardwood forests that has documented 3,077 species (including 129 species never before recorded in Indiana) with scientists from 13 Indiana colleges and universities. The Forests for Indy program applies ArcGIS-based mapping and a benefit-scoring framework to rank 4,237 urban forests in Indianapolis for heat, flood, and pollution mitigation. The Wild Indiana Campaign proposes 13 wild areas totaling 36,820 acres (23.6% of state forest acreage) for wild area designation, while the Deam Wilderness Expansion pursues federal legislation to more than double the Charles Deam Wilderness from 12,953 to 28,253 acres and create a 29,382-acre Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area. Additional programs include the High Conservation Value Forest designation campaign, Hellbender water quality monitoring, and litigation against specific logging projects (Houston South, Buffalo Springs).

IFA is led by Executive Director Jason Flickner (appointed December 2025, succeeding Jeff Stant who led the organization since 2013), Board President Dave Seastrom, and Business Director Melody Dunn, supported by a network of volunteer directors and consulting advisors. Revenue comes from individual donations ($40 annual membership tier that includes the Forest Defender printed journal), foundation and corporate grants (Indianapolis Foundation, Herbert Simon Family Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Duke Energy Foundation, Patagonia Works, among others), and product sales including the Ecoblitz book published by Indiana University Press and affiliated partner products. The organization reaches 10,000+ Hoosier supporters through a community-led go-to-market combining its website, social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), the Forest Defender journal, the Ecoblitz book and documentary films, and in-person events across Indiana.

The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent company, institutional investors, or commercial ownership. IFA's go-to-market is community-led grassroots organizing supplemented by paid media and digital marketing. Customers and beneficiaries are Indiana residents (Hoosiers), Indianapolis urban communities, and broader environmental advocates who benefit from scientific research, forest protection advocacy, and urban canopy preservation programs.

Name

Indiana Forest Alliance

Legal name

Indiana Forest Alliance

Website

https://indianaforestalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Indiana Forest Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 and the only organization dedicated solely to protecting Indiana's public forests. It combines the Ecoblitz scientific biodiversity survey, the Forests for Indy urban canopy program, and grassroots advocacy campaigns serving Hoosiers and Indianapolis communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Forest Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

Keywords

• Forest conservation
• Environmental advocacy
• Biodiversity research
• Urban forestry
• Wilderness protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: IFA generates revenue primarily through donations from individuals and organizations. A $40 donation makes someone an IFA member and includes automatic receipt of the Forest Defender printed journal. The organization also accepts donations through its EveryAction platform.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: IFA receives funding from foundations including the Indianapolis Foundation, Herbert Simon Family Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Duke Energy Foundation, and others. Corporate sponsors also support the organization's work.
3. Product Sales: IFA sells the 'Ecoblitz: An Indiana Forest Expedition' book published by Indiana University Press. Revenue also comes from affiliated product partnerships such as Wood Warbler Coffee, Backcountry Ale from Bloomington Brewing Company, and Tanners Creek Bourbon.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Indiana Forest Alliance advocates for the protection of Indiana's public forests through scientific research, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy. It conducts the Ecoblitz biodiversity survey program, runs the Forests for Indy urban forest preservation initiative, pursues legislative efforts such as the Deam Wilderness Expansion, and publishes the Forest Defender journal. The organization mobilizes over 10,000 supporters and partners with scientists from 13 Indiana colleges and universities to inform forest management decisions.

Product overview

Indiana Forest Alliance is a non-profit statewide organization (founded 1996) dedicated to protecting and restoring Indiana's native hardwood forest ecosystem. The organization operates several interconnected programs: the Ecoblitz scientific survey program conducts comprehensive biodiversity inventories of state and national forests; Forests for Indy is a data-driven urban forest preservation initiative for Indianapolis using GIS mapping and benefit scoring; the Wild Indiana Campaign advocates for designating 13 wild areas across state forests; and the Deam Wilderness Expansion effort pursues federal legislation. Additional offerings include economic research publications (Concealed Costs, Hidden Values), the Forest Defender Journal newsletter, and advocacy campaigns on specific forest protection issues. The organization applies research and science to inform advocacy before Indiana's General Assembly, state agencies, and federal authorities, while organizing grassroots opposition to logging and development threats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ecoblitz Forest Census Multi-year scientific survey program that examines the natural diversity in Indiana's hardwood forests using systematic methodology, examining multiple taxa over growing seasons. Designed for scientists, conservationists, and the public to establish baseline biodiversity data, currently documenting 3,077 species including 40 federal or state-listed species.
• Forests for Indy Data-driven initiative to identify, assess, and preserve urban forests in Indianapolis, establishing a network of urban forest preserves. Identified and ranked 4,237 urban forests including top 100 for heat, flood, and pollution mitigation benefits. Designed for Indianapolis residents and communities seeking environmental resilience.
• Wild Indiana Campaign Advocacy campaign to protect wild nature in Indiana's state forests by proposing 13 wild areas totaling 36,820 acres (23.6% of state forest acreage) for human enjoyment and habitat protection. Designed for environmental advocates and conservationists.
• Deam Wilderness Expansion Legislative effort to more than double the Charles Deam Wilderness Area from 12,953 to 28,253 acres and establish a Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area of 29,382 acres, creating the largest protected public forest in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Designed for the general public and conservationists.
• Ecoblitz: An Indiana Forest Expedition Book Published book documenting the Ecoblitz scientific inventory of Indiana's hardwood forests, published by Indiana University Press. Contains 21 profiles of Ecoblitz scientists and their findings, translating five years of meticulous research for a non-science audience. Designed for general readers and conservation enthusiasts.
• Concealed Costs, Hidden Values Report Economic analysis examining revenues from state forest timber sales sold at below-market prices and comparing with less destructive alternatives that generate more revenues. Designed for policymakers and the public.
• Forest Defender Journal Membership Annual IFA membership for $40 donation that includes automatic receipt of the Forest Defender printed journal filled with science-based articles, advocacy updates, and organizational news covering strategic efforts to protect Indiana's state forests. Designed for Indiana citizens and supporters.
• Ecoblitz Species Inventory Database Comprehensive taxonomic inventory documenting 3,077 species including 40 federal or state-listed species, with species lists from Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests 2014-2018. Designed for scientists, conservationists, and researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,077 species documented including 40 federal or state-listed species
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conservation Law CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFA works closely with Conservation Law Center on legal advocacy and forest protection efforts in Indiana.
• Earth Charter IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on promoting sustainable practices and forest conservation values across Indiana.
• Friends of Lake MonroecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFA collaborates with Friends of Lake Monroe to protect the drinking water supply for 120,000+ Hoosiers from forest management impacts.
• HeartwoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional forestry advocacy organization working on forest protection across the Midwest.
• Hoosier Environmental CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFA works closely with HEC on advocacy efforts including the Mid-States Corridor Project opposition and forest management advocacy.
• Indiana Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on protecting bird habitats in Indiana's forests through conservation advocacy.
• Save MaumeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots organization working on watershed protection that collaborates with IFA on forest-related water quality issues.
• Sierra Club – Hoosier ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFA partners with Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter on advocacy campaigns and forest protection efforts.
• Sophisticated GivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic organization that supports IFA's conservation work through donor connections.
• Time to Choose CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on climate action that collaborates with IFA on forest conservation issues.
• Stand4ForestscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational forest advocacy organization that IFA collaborates with on forest protection campaigns.
• Friends of Salamonie ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition working to protect Salamonie River State Forest from logging, supported by IFA's advocacy efforts.
• Owen-Putnam Friends of the ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition advocating for forest protection in Owen and Putnam counties, affiliated with IFA's Wild Indiana campaign.
• Wild Tecumseh FriendscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition working to protect wild areas in the Tecumseh region of Indiana state forests.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hoosier Environmental Council: Indiana's leading independent environmental advocacy organization, directly comparable to IFA in scope of statewide environmental policy advocacy, donor base, and coalition-based approach. Already partners with IFA on campaigns like the Mid-States Corridor Project.
• Stand4Forests: International forest advocacy organization that collaborates with IFA on forest protection campaigns. Comparable grassroots advocacy model and focus on public forest protection from logging.
• Indiana Audubon Society: Indiana-based wildlife and habitat conservation organization focused on bird protection. Directly partners with IFA on forest habitat advocacy and shares a similar nonprofit, donor-supported operating model.
• Heartwood: Regional forestry advocacy organization covering the Midwest, with a mission and operational model (grassroots organizing, legal advocacy, public land forest protection) closely aligned with IFA's. Listed as a core IFA partner.
• Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter: Indiana chapter of the Sierra Club, a major environmental advocacy organization with overlapping forest protection and public lands advocacy mission. Directly partners with IFA on campaigns and shares grassroots organizing DNA.
• Conservation Law Center: Indiana-based environmental law organization that partners with IFA on legal advocacy and forest protection litigation, including federal court actions against the US Forest Service.
• Save the Dunes: Indiana-based nonprofit focused on protecting the Indiana Dunes and surrounding natural areas; comparable in scale, grassroots organizing model, and statewide advocacy positioning to IFA.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy - Indiana: Indiana chapter of the national TNC, a far larger environmental organization with overlapping forest, habitat, and biodiversity goals but a much broader portfolio of land acquisition, science, and corporate engagement than IFA's advocacy-only model.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Established regional conservation organization with comparable programs in forest advocacy, scientific research, publication, and outdoor recreation. Larger and older, but operates a similar nonprofit advocacy-plus-science model.

Regional players

• Hoosier Riverwatch: Indiana volunteer water quality monitoring program affiliated with DNR; comparable community-led environmental stewardship model in Indiana and overlaps with IFA's Hellbender water quality monitoring work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/inforests
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCag1PTbznanrnNaUV4DRa9w
• Facebookfacebook.com/indianaforestalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/8146786
• Instagraminstagram.com/indianaforestalliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Indiana Forest Alliance