American Battlefield Trust

Washington, DC · Founded 1987

Preserves and protects America's hallowed battlegrounds from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War

Primary audience

General Public

Work area

Historic Preservation

Topic

American Military History

Contact

David N Duncan

Website Contact

About Organization

The American Battlefield Trust acquires and preserves endangered battlefield land across the United States through direct purchases, conservation easements, and grants to partner organizations. Founded in 1987 and based in Washington, DC, the organization operates with 80 employees and 111 volunteers, managing $222.8 million in assets with annual revenue of $31.2 million. The Trust has protected thousands of acres at significant battle sites including Gettysburg, Antietam, and Revolutionary War locations.

What They Focus On

Battlefield Land Conservation

Acquiring and protecting endangered battlefield properties through purchases, easements, and grants to prevent development

Historic Site Restoration

Funding rehabilitation projects at national and state battlefields to improve visitor experiences and preserve landscapes

American Military History

Preserving sites from Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War to honor sacrifice and educate future generations

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$31.2M

-4.6% vs 2022

Expenses (2023)

$22.3M

+15.5% vs 2022

Assets (2023)

$222.8M

+4.1% vs 2022

Employees (2023)

+19.4% vs 2022

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2023	$31,187,669	$22,258,978	$222,795,093	80
2022	$32,698,089	$19,273,792	$214,046,242	67
2021	$31,028,117	$16,827,963	$202,192,829	68
2020	$34,249,054	$13,820,675	$188,857,362	57
2019	$36,562,863	$15,774,376	$168,427,381	59
2018	$33,614,481	$22,185,692	$147,165,417	62
2017	$38,524,608	$18,615,067	$132,745,796	68

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Identify Endangered Sites

Research and prioritize threatened battlefield land facing development pressure or potential loss
02

Secure Funding

Raise donations from members and supporters to finance land acquisition and preservation
03

Acquire Property

Purchase battlefield tracts through direct acquisition or conservation easements with landowners
04

Preserve and Interpret

Transfer land to park services, maintain sites, and provide educational access

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Battlefield Trust

Battlefield Land Acquisition

Purchases endangered battlefield properties to permanently protect historic sites from development and ensure public access

Historic Preservation Grants

Provides funding to partners for battlefield rehabilitation, visitor improvements, and site protection projects nationwide

Civil War Site Protection

Acquires and conserves critical Civil War battlefields including Gettysburg, Antietam, and lesser-known engagement sites

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Battlefield Trust.

American Revolution Experience

USS Constitution

The Nature of History

Battlefields Educators

David N Duncan

President

Full-time

Compensation: $320,914

Thomas M Gilmore

Chief Real Estate Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $268,816

James J Campi

Chief Policy & Comm. Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $238,302

Lawrence Swiader

Chief Digital Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $180,571

Garry E Adelman

Chief Historian

Full-time

Compensation: $180,240

Mark Borcherding

Chief Financial Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $167,539

Stephen D Wyngarden

Chief Administrative Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $147,665

Alice D Mullis

Director of Development

Full-time

Compensation: $141,715

Milestones

1987

Organization Founded

1987

American Battlefield Trust established to begin preserving endangered Civil War battlefields

1988

Gained Tax-Exempt Status

1988

Received IRS 501(c)(3) recognition enabling tax-deductible contributions

2017

Peak Revenue Year

2017

Achieved highest annual revenue of $38.5 million for accelerated battlefield preservation

2023

Asset Growth Milestone

2023

Organizational assets reached $222.8 million reflecting sustained land preservation success

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

O James Lighthizer Trustee 1.00 hrs/week · $106,641

Barbara L Stewart Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Charles E Trefzger Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Christopher C Welton Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

David J Abbey Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Don Barrett Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Dr Mary Abroe Chair 5.00 hrs/week

General Richard P Mills Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

J Dennis Sexton Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Jeff P McClanathan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John BT Campbell III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John Culberson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John L Nau III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John M Taylor Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John Sivolella Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John T Beaty Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Madhu Tadikonda Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Marshal A Oldman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Noah B Mehrkam Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Richard G Etzkorn Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Robert C Daum Trustee 5.00 hrs/week

Stephan F Newhouse Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Susan Whitaker Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Thomas H Lauer Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Thomas P Hand Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Tommas B Nusz Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Travis K Anderson Treasurer 5.00 hrs/week

Van D Hipp Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

William J Hupp Vice-Chair 5.00 hrs/week

William W Vodra Secretary, Ex-officio 5.00 hrs/week

American Revolution Experience

USS Constitution

The Nature of History

Battlefields Educators

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$2.0M

Highest Paid

$369K

David N Duncan

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
David N Duncan	President	$320,914	$47,908	$368,822	50
Thomas M Gilmore	Chief Real Estate Officer	$268,816	$47,120	$315,936	40
James J Campi	Chief Policy & COMM. Officer	$238,302	$27,644	$265,946	40
Garry E Adelman	Chief Historian	$180,240	$41,036	$221,276	40
Stephen D Wyngarden	Chief Administrative Officer	$147,665	$44,665	$192,330	40
Lawrence Swiader	Chief Digital Officer	$180,571	$8,977	$189,548	40
Mark Borcherding	Chief Financial Officer	$167,539	$14,228	$181,767	40
Alice D Mullis	Director Of Development	$141,715	$29,528	$171,243	40
O James Lighthizer	Trustee	$106,641	—	$106,641	1

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
David N Duncan	President	$314,203	$35,191	$349,394	50
David N Duncan	President	$314,203	$35,191	$349,394	50
Thomas M Gilmore	Chief Real Estate Officer	$229,100	$26,507	$255,607	40
Thomas M Gilmore	Chief Real Estate Officer	$229,100	$26,507	$255,607	40
James J Campi	Chief Policy & Communications Officer	$219,175	$25,198	$244,373	40
James J Campi	Chief Policy & Communications Officer	$219,175	$25,198	$244,373	40
Garry E Adelman	Chief Historian	$171,927	$23,103	$195,030	40
Garry E Adelman	Chief Historian	$171,927	$23,103	$195,030	40
Lawrence Swiader	Chief Digital Officer	$168,057	$10,793	$178,850	40
Lawrence Swiader	Chief Digital Officer	$168,057	$10,793	$178,850	40
Stephen D Wyngarden	CAO	$131,116	$25,785	$156,901	40
Stephen D Wyngarden	CAO	$131,116	$25,785	$156,901	40
Alice D Mullis	Director Of Development	$125,036	$20,298	$145,334	40
Alice D Mullis	Director Of Development	$125,036	$20,298	$145,334	40
Ruth Hudspeth Ending 0321	CFO	$120,420	$17,412	$137,832	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
David N Duncan	President (Started 10/2020)	$255,325	$17,876	$273,201	50
O James Lighthizer	President (Until 9/2020)	$234,351	$36,186	$270,537	40
Thomas M Gilmore	Chief Real Estate Officer	$212,252	$37,066	$249,318	50
James J Campi	Chief Policy & COMM. Officer	$201,232	$27,308	$228,540	50
Garry E Adelman	Chief Historian	$156,711	$44,368	$201,079	50
Samuel F Deluca	Leader Office (Until 12/2020)	$140,315	$36,919	$177,234	50
Lawrence Swiader	Chief Digital Officer	$159,825	$10,547	$170,372	50
Ruth E Hudspeth	CFO	$146,678	$22,545	$169,223	50
Stephen D Wyngarden	CAO	$123,518	$41,103	$164,621	50
Thomas Moore	Principal Philanthropic Adv	$109,421	$31,063	$140,484	50
Kathleen Robertson	Deputy Director Of Re	$112,309	$21,870	$134,179	50

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
O James Lighthizer	President	$267,689	$83,721	$351,410	60
Thomas M Gilmore	Chief Real Estate Officer	$210,508	$43,201	$253,709	50
David N Duncan	Chief Development Officer	$223,395	$15,877	$239,272	50
James J Campi	Chief Policy & COMM. Officer	$191,213	$27,676	$218,889	50
Garry E Adelman	Chief Historian	$155,028	$47,849	$202,877	50
Lawrence Swiader	Chief Digital Officer	$155,639	$9,229	$164,868	50
Ruth E Hudspeth	CFO	$143,125	$21,415	$164,540	50
Stephen D Wyngarden	CAO	$119,490	$44,075	$163,565	40
Samuel F Deluca	Leader Office For Major Gifts	$118,783	$38,578	$157,361	50
Thomas Moore	Principal Philanthropic Adv	$108,242	$37,590	$145,832	50
Kathleen Robertson	Deputy Director Of Re	$109,609	$22,400	$132,009	50

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
O James Lighthizer	President	$261,920	$102,171	$364,091	60
Thomas M Gilmore	Chief Real Estate Officer	$206,510	$37,885	$244,395	50
David N Duncan	Chief Development Officer	$225,534	$13,048	$238,582	50
Garry E Adelman	Chief Historian	$150,012	$40,605	$190,617	50
James J Campi	Chief Policy & Communications Officer	$166,016	$20,695	$186,711	50
Ruth E Hudspeth	CFO	$140,116	$17,333	$157,449	50
Stephen D Wyngarden	CAO	$118,681	$38,243	$156,924	40
Lawrence Swiader	Chief Digital Officer	$149,841	$2,043	$151,884	50
Samuel F Deluca	Lead Officer For Major Gifts	$116,113	$33,748	$149,861	50
Thomas Moore	Principal Philanthropic Advisor	$104,312	$29,116	$133,428	50
Kathleen Robertson	Deputy Director Of Re	$105,380	$18,054	$123,434	50

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$5K Total Given

Republican $4,082 (79%)

Other/PAC $1,000 (19%)

Democratic $100 (2%)

6 Contributions

$864 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

5 Individual Donors

Mark Borcherding 2 contributions • $1,041 avg

$2,082

Travis K Anderson 1 contribution • $1,000 avg

$1,000

Robert C Daum 1 contribution • $1,000 avg

$1,000

O. James Lighthizer 1 contribution • $1,000 avg

$1,000

Ruth Swanson 1 contribution • $100 avg

$100

Quick Insights

🏆

Most Active Donor Mark Borcherding with 2 contributions

💰

Highest Avg per Contribution Mark Borcherding at $1,041 each

🎯

Top Recipient LISA MURKOWSKI FOR US SENATE — $2,000

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$602K

Total Forgiven

$606K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

Loan Details 1 loan

$601,600

Forgiven

Forgiven: $605,928 100%

Approved Apr 30, 2020

Lender Truist Bank

Jobs Reported 47

Forgiven On Jan 25, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$1.6M Grants Received

$1.3M Grants Given

20 Organizations

Top Funders

16 total

Greater Washington Community Foundation 2 grants

$706K

National Society Daughters Of The

$200K

Donors Trust Inc

$200K

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$190K

The Chicago Community Trust 2 grants

$56K

American Endowment Foundation

$54K

The Ayco Charitable Foundation

$54K

American Online Giving Foundation Inc.

$44K

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.

$25K

The Philadelphia Foundation

$22K

+6 more funders

Top Grantees

4 total

US Dept of Interior NPS Washington, DC

$1.0M

South Carolina Battleground Pres Trust charleston, SC · 2 grants

$265K

Save Historic Antietam Foundation Sharpsburg, MD

$35K

Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority Gettysburg, PA

$10K

Greater Washington Community Foundation National Society Daughters Of The Donors Trust Inc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund The Chicago Community Trust American Endowment Foundation The Ayco Charitable Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. The Philadelphia Foundation South Carolina Humanities Council The Community Foundation Inc. Community Foundation of Acadiana Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing The Independent Charitable Gift Fund T Rowe Price Program For Charitable US Dept of Interior NPS South Carolina Battleground Pres Trust Save Historic Antietam Foundation Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Federal Funding

Government awards and grants from USAspending.gov

$452K Total Obligated

$452K Total Amount

3 Awards

1 Agency

Awards

Agency	Award ID	Type	Period	Amount
Interior	P22AP01958	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2022-2025	$200,000
Interior	P22AP02436	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2023-2025	$165,241
Interior	P21AP12299	PROJECT GRANT (B)	2022-2025	$86,975

Source: USAspending.gov. Amounts represent total federal obligations.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

4 Registrations

2 Clients

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 2 total

American Battlefield Trust

3 filings

Self

American Battlefield Trust (Fka Civil War Trust)

1 filing

Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Battlefield Trust

Phone

(202) 367-1861

Social

Visit Website

1030 15th Street NW Suite 900 Eas Washington, DC 20005

American Battlefield Trust

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Identify Endangered Sites

Secure Funding

Acquire Property

Preserve and Interpret

Programs and Initiatives

Battlefield Land Acquisition

Historic Preservation Grants

Civil War Site Protection

Team & Leadership

American Revolution Experience

USS Constitution

The Nature of History

Battlefields Educators

David N Duncan

Thomas M Gilmore

James J Campi

Lawrence Swiader

Garry E Adelman

Mark Borcherding

Stephen D Wyngarden

Alice D Mullis

Milestones

Organization Founded

Gained Tax-Exempt Status

Peak Revenue Year

Asset Growth Milestone

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Individual Political Donors

Top Individual Donors

Quick Insights

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Loan Details 1 loan

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Top Grantees

Related Organizations

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

Federal Funding

Awards

Lobbying Activity

Clients 2 total

Contact

Phone

Social