South Carolina’s forests are at a crossroads. Despite having more forest acreage than at any point in the last century, the state’s timber industry faces declining markets, threatening the economic stability of rural communities and the long-term sustainability of its working forests.
In an op-ed for The Post and Courier, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities CEO Pete Madden explores how innovative solutions like biomass energy can revitalize struggling forest economies, provide sustainable energy alternatives, and ensure that private landowners have the incentive to maintain healthy forests for future generations.
Read the complete article here.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities:
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.
For more information contact:
Aleta Rogers, aleta@usendowment.org
A Win for American Working Forests: Red Oak and National Security
The United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities is proud to celebrate a significant milestone for American working forests.
The FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law in late December, includes a provision encouraging the U.S. Department of Defense to rapidly transition from Southeast Asian apitong wood to domestically sourced red oak as the preferred material for military trailer decking.
This marks a meaningful step toward sustainability, national security, and supporting local economies tied to forestry.
“This development is a trifecta win for our nation’s working forests, their caretakers, and the environment,” said Pete Madden, president and CEO of the Endowment. “Our domestic hardwood industry has long set the standard for sustainability and security, and it stands ready to meet this vital need for the U.S. military.”
For decades, apitong, a Southeast Asian hardwood, has been the material of choice for military trailer flooring. However, its use has come with significant environmental and operational risks. Unregulated harvesting has contributed to deforestation and ecosystem harm, while reliance on a global supply chain creates vulnerabilities for military readiness. Shifting to domestically sourced red oak ensures a reliable, sustainable supply chain free from geopolitical risks.
Red oak, abundant across the U.S., is not only durable and well-suited for military applications but is also receptive to treatments that enhance its resistance to pests and decay, extending its lifespan. Moreover, the transition to red oak supports rural American jobs and protects forests by ensuring that significantly more red oak is grown than harvested—helping maintain healthy, thriving forests.
The Endowment views this as a pivotal moment that reinforces the value of domestic hardwoods in strengthening America’s economy and environment while supporting national defense. It highlights the importance of working forests and sustainable practices in ensuring resources for future generations
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities:
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.
For more information contact:
Aleta Rogers, aleta@usendowment.org
Up to $6.5 Million Available with March 11, 2025, Proposal Deadline
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) has officially released a request for proposal (RFP) for the second round of its Impact Investing Program, with up to $6.5 million in funding available.
The Impact Investing Program aims to drive measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns by supporting sustainable forestry practices, economic resilience in rural, forest-reliant communities and innovation within forest-based markets.
More information on the program is available here: www.usendowment.org/impact-investing.
An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 15 at 12 p.m. PST for interested parties to learn more about the Impact Investing program and the RFP process.
Key Dates:
Informational Webinar: Wednesday, January 15 at 12 p.m. PST
Initial “Pre-Screen” Submittal Deadline: Wednesday, February 5 by 5 p.m. PST
Final Submission Deadline: Thursday, March 13 by 5 p.m. PST
Decision Notification: Late April
The program focuses on three primary areas:
- FORESTS: Support working forests and the use of sustainable forest management practices for the health and retention of U.S. forests.
- COMMUNITIES: Work with trusted partners within rural forest-reliant communities to build economic prosperity and resilience.
- MARKETS: Support forest industry processes and products, both traditional (e.g., paper mills, sawmills) and emerging (e.g., biochar, carbon).
The first round of the Endowment’s Impact Investing Program resulted in $3.5 million invested in three companies contributing to sustainable forestry and forest products. Round two seeks to deploy up to $6.5 million in 2025 through impact investments in companies, funds or projects that advance systemic, transformative and sustainable benefits for the health and vitality of our nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.
Gordian Knot Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in strategic climate solutions, is supporting the Endowment in scaling the Impact Investing Program’s reach and effectiveness. The RFP can be viewed here: gordianknotstrategies.com/impactinvestingprogram.
About Gordian Knot Strategies:
Gordian Knot Strategies (GKS) is a leading consulting firm specializing in strategic climate solutions. We provide advisory and project management services to a global clientele interested in climate finance, impact investing, carbon asset development, and go-to-market strategies. To learn more about Gordian Knot Strategies, please visit our website at gordianknotstrategies.com.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities:
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.
For more information contact:
Aleta Rogers, aleta@usendowment.org
Dear Valued Partners and Grantees,
As we wrap up 2024, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the ongoing support, collaboration and trust that you have shown the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. This year has been a remarkable one, filled with new milestones and initiatives that further our mission to support working forests and forest-reliant communities across the country.
A Year of Growth and Impact
2024 marked a major milestone with the launch of the Endowment’s Impact Investing Program. The first round of this initiative resulted in $3.5 million invested in three companies that are contributing to sustainable forestry and forest products. Building on this success, we are excited to announce that round two of the program will seek to deploy up to $6.5 million in 2025. These investments will target companies, funds and projects that create systemic, transformative and sustainable benefits for the health and vitality of our nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. This continued focus on mission-related investments reflects our commitment to both safeguarding our capital and driving meaningful, long-term change in the forestry sector.
We also celebrate an exciting partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. Together with our partners, including the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Network (SFLR), Khuba International and mano-Y-ola, LLC, we received a $20 million award aimed at providing underserved forest landowners with equitable access to emerging markets. This will foster landscape-scale impacts and advance our commitment to ensuring that all communities benefit from the opportunities that working forests offer.
Leadership and Partnerships
At the same time, we continue to strengthen the leadership that guides our organization. We are excited to welcome William Crawford and Deborah Spalding to our board of directors. Their experience and dedication will be invaluable as we work together to chart new paths for our mission. I also want to take a moment to thank outgoing board members Mark Reed and Cris Stainbrook for their outstanding service. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Endowment’s success, and we wish them well in their future endeavors.
Looking Ahead
As we look toward 2025 and beyond, we remain focused on our long-term mission to create a more sustainable future for forests and communities alike. With innovative investments, new leadership and a growing network of committed partners, we are well-positioned to take on the challenges ahead and continue making a lasting, positive impact.
On behalf of the entire team at the Endowment, I thank you for your ongoing partnership. Together, we will continue to advance the health of our forests and the well-being of the communities that rely on them.
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous holiday season.
Warm regards,
Pete Madden
President and CEO
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities

Board adds Crawford and Spalding to Board of Directors; Stainbrook and Reed retire.
Cramer named Chief Operating Officer and Stangel named Chief Development Officer
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) is pleased to announce William Crawford and Deborah Spalding were elected as new directors at the organization’s fall board meeting.
“William and Deborah’s combined expertise in investment management, environmental finance and corporate leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advance sustainable forestry and strengthen forest-reliant communities,” said Pete Madden, president and CEO of the Endowment. “We are excited to bring them on board and leverage their extensive backgrounds to help lead us into our next chapter of growth.”

Crawford serves as chief executive officer of Pacolet Milliken, a family-owned investment firm based in Greenville, S.C. that owns and manages power, infrastructure and real estate assets across the United States, including waste-to-energy, woody biomass and timber assets. Crawford joined Pacolet in 2013 and prior to becoming CEO in 2020, served in various capacities, including general counsel, chief operating officer and president.
Before joining Pacolet Milliken, Crawford spent a decade in the regional bank and public company arena. Prior to banking, he was an attorney in private practice, focusing on SEC, M&A and corporate finance matters. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. A dedicated conservationist and avid hunter, Crawford and his wife, Marion, own a 500-acre historic farm in Laurens, S.C.

Lucas De Britto
Spalding is the global lead of the Nature Finance Division at Conservation International where she works to unlock investments for nature at scale, helps drive finance toward nature-based solutions for climate and biodiversity, develops investment partnerships and builds the division’s portfolio of carbon projects.
Prior to Conservation International, Spalding served as chief investment officer of Commonfund OCIO. Previously, she was chief investment officer for the State of Connecticut. Additionally, she has worked for Working Lands Investment Partners, Schroder Investment Management, Scudder Kemper Investments and has been teaching forest finance at the Yale School of the Environment since 2010. She received a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Asian studies from Tufts University and holds graduate degrees from Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley and Yale University, where she received a Master of Forestry.
The board and staff recognized the achievements of outgoing board members Mark Reed and Cris Stainbrook. Reed served as vice chair of the Endowment board and is the founder and manager of Contact Fund, a private investment fund focused on high-impact community development in New York City. Stainbrook is president of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and served as the Endowment’s head of the audit committee.
“Cris and Mark have been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of our organization. Their wisdom, commitment and leadership have strengthened our foundation and advanced our mission in countless ways. As they conclude their board service, we extend our appreciation for their years of dedicated stewardship,” added Madden.
The Endowment also announced key organizational changes to its executive leadership team. Peter Stangel will transition from his role as chief operating officer to serve as chief development officer, leveraging his extensive experience to advance the organization’s impact investing and partnership initiatives. Additionally, Alicia Cramer, who has served as senior vice president of programs, will assume the position of chief operating officer.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities:
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.
LU_Lab at University of Miami Secures Landmark Certification for Southern Yellow Pine Mass Timber in Miami-Dade County
Product approvals for Southern Yellow Pine Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) products have been accepted by Miami-Dade County for use in construction, marking a significant milestone for sustainable building practices in Florida. This certification allows Southern Yellow Pine timber products, much of which is sourced from Florida, to be used as the primary structural system in construction projects throughout the state’s most stringent building jurisdiction.
The University of Miami’s Littoral Urbanism Lab (LU_Lab), led by Christopher Meyer, secured this Florida Building Products certification through a grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities titled Making Southern Yellow Pine Mass Timber Florida Market Ready.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of our entire team,” said Christopher Meyer, director of the LU_Lab. “By working closely with regional manufacturers, testing labs, engineers and county officials, we’ve been able to pave the way for greater sustainability in Florida’s construction industry.”
The project team, backed by the Endowment’s grant, successfully obtained Notices of Approval (NOA) for cross-laminated timber products in 3-ply, 5-ply, and 7-ply configurations, as well as for glue-laminated (glu-lam) columns and beams. The grant initiatives culminated in a wood-based educational exhibition held at Miami’s first mass timber structure, House In A Garden, designed by Atelier Mey Architects. The efforts behind the mass timber product certifications were highlighted during Open House Miami, allowing the public to engage with Atelier Mey about designing and working with mass timber in such structures
“The Endowment is proud to have supported this pioneering effort to establish Florida as a leader in sustainable forestry and construction,” said Alicia Cramer, chief operating officer of the Endowment. “By using locally-sourced materials and locally-owned suppy chains, this project demonstrates the potential for state buildings to lead the way in environmentally-conscious design.”
The certification of Southern Yellow Pine CLT products marks an important step towards a more sustainable future for Florida’s construction industry. This achievement sets the stage for wider adoption of mass timber technologies and the use of local, renewable resources in the built environment.
“These product approvals are the start of sustainable and environmentally driven architecture in Florida. Industry education will be crucial in the next steps to ensure that mass timber buildings are designed and constructed effectively,” added Shawna Meyer, principal at Atelier Mey and LU_Lab collaborator.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities:
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.
U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities Announces Second Round of Impact Investing Program – Up to $6.5 Million Available with March 11, 2025, Proposal Deadline
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) announces the second round of its Impact Investing Program, with up to $6.5 million in funding available. A Request for proposals (RFP) will be released in January 2025 and an informational webinar will be offered in December 2024. Use this link to sign up for notifications on the webinar and to receive the RFP: https://gordianknotstrategies.com/impactinvestingprogram.
The Endowment’s Impact Investing Program aims to drive positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns by supporting sustainable forestry practices, economic resilience in rural, forest reliant communities, and innovation within forest-based markets.
The program focuses on three primary areas:
- FORESTS: Support working forests and the use of sustainable forest management practices for the health and retention of U.S. forests.
- COMMUNITIES: Work with trusted partners within rural forest-reliant communities to build economic prosperity and resilience.
- MARKETS: Support forest industry processes and products, both traditional (e.g., paper mills, sawmills) and emerging (e.g., biochar, carbon).
“Our Impact Investing Program is already making strides for America’s working forests and forest-reliant communities, with $3.5 million invested in innovative forestry solutions during our first round,” said Pete Madden, the Endowment’s president and CEO. “Impact investing is an invaluable extension of our traditional grantmaking, enabling us to leverage our resources for even greater impact. We are particularly interested in engaging other investors with a shared commitment to the economic, environmental, and social benefits of our forests to continue to scale our program through co-investments or other financial partnerships.”
The first round of the Endowment’s Impact Investing Program resulted in $3.5 million invested in three companies contributing to sustainable forestry and forest products. Round two seeks to deploy up to $6.5 million in 2025 through impact investments in companies, funds, or projects that advance systemic, transformative and sustainable benefits for the health and vitality of our nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.
Gordian Knot Strategies, a leading consulting firm specializing in strategic climate solutions, is supporting the development of the Endowment’s Impact Investing program and will host an informational webinar about the opportunity in early December 2024.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities:
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.
About Gordian Knot Strategies:
Gordian Knot Strategies (GKS) is a leading consulting firm specializing in strategic climate solutions. We provide advisory and project management services to a global clientele interested in climate finance, impact investing, carbon asset development, and go-to-market strategies. To learn more about Gordian Knot Strategies, please visit our website at gordianknotstrategies.com.
Trevor Cutsinger has joined the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) as vice president, natural capital solutions. The Endowment is the nation’s largest public charity dedicated to serving the forestry sector, and Cutsinger will work hand in hand with investors, foundations and corporations seeking to make investments for forest-positive impact.
“Trevor brings to the Endowment a deep experience in forestry, carbon markets and conservation finance” said Pete Madden, president and CEO. “With his extensive experience in the forestry sector, forest conservation community and work with investors and institutional timberland managers, he is uniquely positioned to forge strategic financial partnerships and expand funding for our programs. He is passionate about the Endowment’s role in catalyzing innovative, market-driven solutions to improve the health and resilience of our working forests and the communities that depend on their sustainable management.”

Prior to the Endowment, Cutsinger worked at Pilot Travel Centers as a senior manager in carbon business development where he led upstream origination for the carbon team at the largest travel center company in North America. He previously held business development and operations positions at Finite Carbon, The Conservation Fund and the U.S. Army Environmental Command.
“I’m honored to join the team and contribute to their vital work,” said Cutsinger. “Innovative financial models are needed in the forestry, conservation and climate arenas and I’m eager to leverage my experience across public, private and philanthropic entities to expand opportunities with the Endowment’s existing and future programs.”
Cutsinger received a master’s degree in environmental management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in Durham, N.C. and a bachelor’s degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity working collaboratively with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.