Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
87% goes to programs $8 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) organization based in New York, New York, registered in 1969, with $298,689,286 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 87% of spending to programs.
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010 EIN 11-6107128 Since 1969
Revenue (FY2023)
$298.7M
▲ 20.9% vs prior year
Environment median: $250K
Expenses (FY2023)
$295.8M
Net assets
$299.8M
Employees
1,153
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating87% to programs · $8 to raise $100
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. For Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated: 87% to programs · $8 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating12 mo reserves · +1% 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 Fund Incorporated: 12 mo reserves · +1% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
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. For Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 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 Fund Incorporated: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
To preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. guided by science and economics, we find practical and lasting solutions (see schedule o)
What they do
Strengthen people's & nature's ability to thrive - in 2024, edf delivered results across our impact areas of resilient food, fisheries and water systems to strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive including progress on resilient water management in arizona and texas.
Core capacities and education - in 2024, edf delivered results across our capacities including science, economics, and corporate engagement. edf brought together eight companies with over $230 billion in global sales under the dairy methane action alliance to address methane emissions. through the net zero action accelerator, we trained more than 450 professionals to help deliver on their companies' climate goals. the edf-launched frontline resource institute worked with community-based organizations to achieve a clean healthy environment.
Contact & location
- Address
- 257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010
- City
- New York
- State
- New York
- Category
- Environment
- Subcategory
- Environmental Education
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $147.2M (FY2013) to $298.7M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $91.9MNet assets $299.8M
Operating margin
1.0%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$391.7M
Total liabilities
$91.9M
Net assets
$299.8M
Salaries & benefits
$147.7M
50% of expenses
Board members
42
42 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $298,689,286▲20.9% | $295,808,792▼9.4% | $299,778,794▲3.1% | $391,659,124▼18.0% | 990 |
| 2022 | $247,057,586▼13.2% | $326,456,967▲19.7% | $290,739,916▼19.6% | $477,638,635▲5.6% | 990 |
| 2021 | $284,762,302▼22.0% | $272,766,121▲26.3% | $361,565,657▼0.8% | $452,168,552▲3.4% | 990 |
| 2020 | $365,118,097▲82.0% | $216,037,687▲10.3% | $364,461,084▲70.8% | $437,217,657▲63.2% | 990 |
| 2019 | $200,629,015▲8.1% | $195,818,907▲3.8% | $213,395,043▲2.5% | $267,858,763▼4.6% | 990 |
| 2018 | $185,639,721▼11.9% | $188,642,920▲2.7% | $208,157,375▼1.8% | $280,913,957▲14.5% | 990 |
| 2017 | $210,596,240▲43.6% | $183,610,231▲7.0% | $211,976,209▲14.5% | $245,361,470▲11.0% | 990 |
| 2016 | $146,650,894▼6.8% | $171,540,690▲11.1% | $185,063,884▼11.3% | $221,119,624▼8.7% | 990 |
| 2015 | $157,295,165▲13.5% | $154,449,683▲13.3% | $208,689,132▲2.3% | $242,274,499▲7.6% | 990 |
| 2014 | $138,533,291▼5.9% | $136,266,561▲7.5% | $204,077,422▲0.1% | $225,204,064▲0.2% | 990 |
| 2013 | $147,163,910 | $126,763,063▲9.7% | $203,950,105▲9.2% | $224,847,024▲7.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $115,531,971▲13.2% | $186,701,339▲22.9% | $208,751,208▲20.6% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $102,031,443▲15.2% | $151,869,236▲10.8% | $173,139,307▲12.5% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $88,540,355▲0.5% | $137,034,172▲3.7% | $153,964,992▲1.4% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $88,087,456 | $132,197,665 | $151,858,743 | 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.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Frederic D Krupp — $1,238,682 (0.42% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frederic D Krupp | President | 36 | $1,238,682 |
| Amanda Leland | Executive Director | 40 | $629,295 |
| Catherine Nardonethru 1223 | Sr. Evp, Chief Dev. Officer | 36 | $554,272 |
| Jay Knott Thru 1223 | Coo, Senior Executive Vp | 40 | $511,819 |
| Angela Churie Kallhauge | Executive Vp, Impact | 40 | $423,364 |
| Thomas Murray | Evp, Solutions | 40 | $407,504 |
| Sean Cook | Svp, Chief Hr Officer | 40 | $402,057 |
| Gwen Ruta | Senior Advisor (thru 12/23) | 40 | $399,029 |
| Eric Schwaab | Svp, People and Nature | 40 | $388,270 |
| Steven Hamburg | Svp, Chief Scientist | 40 | $378,604 |
| N Louis Mkanganwi | Svp, Cfo & Cto | 36 | $344,267 |
| Catharina M Vandervoort | Clo & Corp Secy (thru 2/24) | 40 | $312,902 |
| Ronora Pawelko As of 524 | Sr Dir, Sr Cnsl-pol Law & Secy | 4 | $178,827 |
| Abby Leigh | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Alice Hill | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Bruce V Rauner | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Carl Ferenbach | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Charles J Hamilton Jr Esq | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Christopher A Cole | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Christopher Costello | Trustee | 2 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Edgemark Partners Inc | Printing & Mailing | $4,035,417 |
| Berlin Rosen LLC | Communications | $1,070,000 |
| Donahue Goldberg LLP | Legal | $868,040 |
| Innovairre Global LLC DBA Quadriga | Direct Mail/postage | $810,906 |
| Amp Insights LLC | Tech & Strat Support | $555,100 |
Grants received · $511.3M total
712 grants to Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated totaling $511.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windward Fund | Environmental programs | 2024 | $7,765,690 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Environment & animal protection | 2024 | $6,768,750 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Environment | 2024 | $6,557,983 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $5,285,000 |
| Climateworks Foundation | To support the transition to a sustainable aviation sector ($250,000); sustainable maritime shipping ($650,000); the transition to a sustainable finance system ($100,000); responsible carbon removal and restore the climate ($110,000); decarbonization efforts and the transition to clean energy in china ($2,000,000); to support the transition to a sustainable food system ($350,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($722,129) | 2024 | $4,182,129 |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | Environmental protection | 2024 | $3,175,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | Civil rights, social action & advocacy, environment, agriculture & food, environment, environment | 2024 | $2,705,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $2,153,500 |
| The New York Community Trust | For general support. | 2024 | $2,074,850 |
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $2,061,000 |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support education and outreach to build a clean energy future. to promote education and analysis on the benefits of clean transportation. | 2024 | $983,958 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $822,166 |
| Resources Legacy Fund | Land or marine conservation, climate change, and/or environmental equity and justice | 2024 | $633,000 |
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation | Policy implementation | 2024 | $350,000 |
| Fiduciary Charitable Foundation | Donations | 2024 | $277,150 |
Grants made · $14.1M in FY2023
150 grants totaling $14.1M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Defense Action Fund | — | $5,371,270 |
| Cornell University | — | $711,619 |
| West Virginia University Research Corporation | — | $414,685 |
| Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator Inc | — | $407,800 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | — | $265,000 |
| Five Nature LLC | — | $250,000 |
| Ceres Inc | — | $247,500 |
| University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill | — | $241,089 |
| Community College Partners Program Inc | — | $240,000 |
| Ihs Global Inc | — | $212,500 |
| Partnership Project Inc | — | $200,000 |
| African American Mayors Association Inc | — | $190,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University | — | $189,368 |
| Ground Water Protection Research Foundation Inc | — | $170,000 |
| Interfaith Center On Corporate Responsibility | — | $167,500 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 11-6107128, based in New York, New York. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's EIN?
- Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 11-6107128.
- How much revenue does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated report?
- Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated reported $298,689,286 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's spending goes to programs?
- Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated spends about 87% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated have?
- CharityIndex grades Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's latest Form 990 is $1,238,682, paid to Frederic D Krupp (President).
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Data for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated (EIN 11-6107128) 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.