RAHC Donor Update | August 2025

By realamericanhardwood
August 13, 2025

RAHC Awarded 2025 USDA Forest  Service Wood Innovations Grant

The Real American Hardwood Coalition (RAHC) will receive $275,000 in funding under the 2025 USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant program as part of an $80 million, nationwide investment to promote forest health and support rural communities through expansion and innovation of  markets for timber and wood products.

A robust forest industry with strength in every sector of  the supply chain provides the infrastructure to implement management  practices that sustain and improve the health of national, state, and private forestlands and associated rural communities across the U.S. For the past 25  years, consumption of U.S. hardwood lumber has decreased by more than 75%,  due in large part to competition from unsustainably sourced and produced “wood-look” building, remodeling, and furnishing materials that have gained  market share by misleading the public about the perceived benefits of  non-wood products.

With this USDA Forest Service funding, the Real American  Hardwood Coalition will educate, inspire, and mobilize architects, designers, and builders in the awareness and utilization of U.S. hardwoods by creating  and updating continuing education offerings on sustainable hardwood products, biophilic design, and hardwood cross laminated/mass timber applications, and  by hosting a series of hardwood design / build contests for architect and  design students in cooperation with U.S. universities.

This funding also will allow the RAHC to further the  development of public awareness messaging relative to sustainability—specifically the connection between science-based working  forest management and sustainable manufacturing, and how those practices are  facilitated and furthered by public demand for Real American Hardwood®  products.

“On behalf of the RAHC Board of Directors, we appreciate  the USDA Forest Service for acknowledging the role of vibrant markets in supporting sustainable forest management,” said Dallin Brooks, chairman of  the RAHC Board. “We look forward to deploying this funding to promote increased utilization of domestically sourced and manufactured hardwood  products.”

As noted by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, the Trump Administration is “...investing in innovation that ensures a  steady, sustainable supply of American wood that not only supports jobs and  fuels economies, it protects the people and communities we serve, as well as  the forest resources they depend on to survive and thrive.”

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Real American Hardwood Coalition Offers Flexible Giving Options

Real American Hardwood Campaign donors now have more freedom to support the movement—on their schedule. In addition to making an annual lump-sum contribution, supporters can opt for monthly or quarterly donation plans to better align with their budgeting needs.

These flexible options make it easier than ever to champion authentic hardwood products, while maintaining steady support throughout the year.

Donors also have access to personalized account dashboards, where they can:

  • Update organizational contact information
  • Retrieve donation receipts
  • Review giving history and manage contribution plans

Ready to make your impact even more manageable? Contact us today to learn more and get started.

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New and Renewing Donors

‍Our thanks to the following individuals and organizations for supporting RAHC initiatives and the promotion of real American hardwood! 

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News From RAHC Supporters

Amy Shields, RAHC board member and executive director of Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group  (AHUG), recently provided a deep dive on the creation, accomplishments and future plans of the Real American Hardwood Coalition to a  joint gathering of the Keystone and North East Kiln Drying Associations, held in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. See more news from the PA Delegation

From Brooke  Pajkurich, NHLA Hardwood  Technical Design Director: "Explore our latest completed  projects and get a sneak peek at some exciting initiatives currently  underway." Read more

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Let's Get Social with RAHC

This summer, the Real American Hardwood Coalition (RAHC)  continued sharing informative posts, as well as inspiring project photos  showcasing the natural charm and character of Real American Hardwood®  products. Following is a brief recap to get you caught up on posts you may  have missed.

Educating Homeowners on the Value of Hardwood

June marked National Homeownership Month and the RAHC took the opportunity to remind its followers of the natural beauty and benefits of Real American Hardwood flooring.

From aesthetics to ROI, there are a multitude of reasons to choose real luxury flooring for your home. See the post on Instagram.

Beating the Summer Heat & Humidity

Depending on the time of year, homeowners may notice some changes in their Real American Hardwood floors. For example, gaps between floorboards in winter that aren’t there in summer.

In July, the RAHC shared a post to educate its followers on why these changes occur. In the colder months with less humidity, wood will shrink. And during the warmer months with more humidity, they’ll expand.

These seasonal changes are normal, and can be minimized by keeping your home’s relative humidity between 30–50%. Monitor your HVAC settings and—depending on the season—consider utilizing a humidifier or dehumidifier. See the post on Instagram.

Are you using the  RAHC logo?

As a valued supporter of RAHC, you’re invited to showcase  your connection by including the RAHC logo on your website and marketing  materials. It’s a powerful way to signal your commitment to the movement,  build credibility with your audience, and help reinforce our collective  impact—especially at this pivotal moment for our industry.

You can download the logo here.

Need help or have questions? Reach out to us anytime at admin@realamericanhardwood.org.

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