Environmental Defense Action Fund
Only null% goes to programs Growing revenue
Environmental Defense Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization based in New York, New York, registered in 2003, with $32,711,189 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B.
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010 EIN 90-0080500 Since 2003
Revenue (FY2023)
$32.7M
▲ 63.9% vs prior year
Environment median: $250K
Expenses (FY2023)
$27.0M
Net assets
$10.8M
Employees
—
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
B
★★★★
Rated on 2 of 4 criteria — the rest aren't reported in this filing type.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →—Program efficiency40% of the ratingNo expense breakdown in filings
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. Not scored for Environmental Defense Action Fund— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating5 mo reserves · +17% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Environmental Defense Action Fund: 5 mo reserves · +17% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
—Governance25% of the ratingNot reported in this filing type
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. Not scored for Environmental Defense Action Fund— this filing type doesn't report it, and the rating simply skips it (never counts it against the organization). See the exact thresholds →
CTransparency10% of the rating2 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Environmental Defense Action Fund: 2 of 5 disclosure signals earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Contact & location
- Address
- 257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010
- City
- New York
- State
- New York
- Category
- Environment
- Subcategory
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $9.8M (FY2013) to $32.7M (FY2023) across 7 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $4.7MNet assets $10.8M
Operating margin
17.4%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$15.6M
Total liabilities
$4.7M
Net assets
$10.8M
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $32,711,189▲63.9% | $27,019,957▲44.1% | $10,824,549▲111% | $15,550,134▲139% | 990 |
| 2022 | $19,958,140▼31.2% | $18,745,301▼36.9% | $5,142,120▲30.9% | $6,517,593▲0.7% | 990 |
| 2021 | $29,024,607▲48.1% | $29,722,209▲44.5% | $3,929,424▼15.1% | $6,474,489▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2020 | $19,598,592▼27.3% | $20,571,776▼24.8% | $4,627,026▼17.4% | $5,843,832▼22.6% | 990 |
| 2019 | $26,957,552▲285% | $27,373,946▲197% | $5,600,210▲6.1% | $7,551,039▲31.6% | 990 |
| 2014 | $7,003,521▼28.8% | $9,205,900▲18.6% | $5,279,591▼29.4% | $5,737,560▼24.9% | 990 |
| 2013 | $9,843,094 | $7,760,090▲31.5% | $7,481,970▲38.6% | $7,636,999▲33.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $5,900,620▲51.3% | $5,398,966▲13.3% | $5,712,165▲14.7% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $3,900,851▼19.1% | $4,764,459▼7.9% | $4,979,381▼7.1% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $4,823,785▼61.3% | $5,171,533▼36.5% | $5,361,641▼41.6% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $12,453,177 | $8,140,207 | $9,183,716 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Grants received · $59.6M total
31 grants to Environmental Defense Action Fund totaling $59.6M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sixteen Thirty Fund | Environmental programs | 2024 | $1,000,000 |
| Fund For A Better Future Inc | Climate and environmental advocacy | 2024 | $445,000 |
| Catalyst4 Inc | For the purpose of environmental programs | 2024 | $400,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Environmental programs | 2024 | $70,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated | — | 2023 | $5,371,270 |
| Sixteen Thirty Fund | Environmental programs | 2023 | $200,000 |
| Advocacy Action Fund Inc | Support for clean energy advocacy | 2023 | $75,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Environmental programs | 2023 | $20,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated | Public & government | 2022 | $7,867,820 |
| Breakthrough Energy Action Inc | Us clean energy innovation policies | 2022 | $725,000 |
| Sixteen Thirty Fund | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | 2022 | $50,000 |
| Advocacy Action Fund Inc | To support advocacy on carbon capture and sequestration | 2022 | $40,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Environmental programs | 2022 | $11,500 |
| Breakthrough Energy Action Inc | Federal clean energy investments | 2021 | $2,900,000 |
| Sixteen Thirty Fund | Environmental programs | 2021 | $1,950,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Environmental Defense Action Fund a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Environmental Defense Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 90-0080500, based in New York, New York.
- What is Environmental Defense Action Fund's EIN?
- Environmental Defense Action Fund's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 90-0080500.
- How much revenue does Environmental Defense Action Fund report?
- Environmental Defense Action Fund reported $32,711,189 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- What financial grade does Environmental Defense Action Fund have?
- CharityIndex grades Environmental Defense Action Fund B, based on financial health (reserves and operating margin).
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Data for Environmental Defense Action Fund (EIN 90-0080500) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.