Southern Environmental Law Center
501(c)(3) Donations tax-deductible
83% goes to programs $11 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Southern Environmental Law Center is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia, registered in 1986, with $58,167,590 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 83% of spending to programs.
120 Garrett St Ste 400, Charlottesville, VA, 22902 EIN 52-1436778 Since 1986
Revenue (FY2024)
$58.2M
▼ 7.4% vs prior year
Expenses (FY2024)
$50.5M
Net assets
$261.0M
Employees
267
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 rating83% to programs · $11 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 Southern Environmental Law Center: 83% to programs · $11 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating62 mo reserves · +13% 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 Southern Environmental Law Center: 62 mo reserves · +13% margin earns a B+ 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 Southern Environmental Law Center: 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 Southern Environmental Law Center: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
See part iii line 1.
What they do
Water: goals - to protect and restore water quality and water flow to ensure surface and ground waters in our region can meet long-term human and ecological needs. in pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to protect drinking water and waterways from pollution and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Land and community: goals - to promote vibrant communities, protect natural/rural areas, reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions/pollutants through smarter growth/sustainable transportation systems. selc litigates cases benefiting citizens by enforcing existing laws.
Wetlands and coasts: goals - to protect and preserve the wetlands and high priority coastal ecosystems in the south for the benefit of wildlife, marine life, and people. in pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to protect wetlands, wildlife, and marine life, safeguard communities from flooding, and enforce existing laws and regulations.
Contact & location
- Address
- 120 Garrett St Ste 400, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
- City
- Charlottesville
- State
- Virginia
- Category
- —
- Subcategory
- —
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $23.9M (FY2013) to $58.2M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $20.0MNet assets $261.0M
Operating margin
13.3%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$280.9M
Total liabilities
$20.0M
Net assets
$261.0M
Salaries & benefits
$32.1M
64% of expenses
Board members
28
27 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $58,167,590▼7.4% | $50,454,619▲17.1% | $260,965,773▲6.0% | $280,923,159▲8.1% | 990 |
| 2023 | $62,847,748▲17.5% | $43,104,630▲6.4% | $246,188,597▲24.4% | $259,911,032▲21.8% | 990 |
| 2022 | $53,489,044▼35.4% | $40,519,983▲23.5% | $197,848,615▼2.0% | $213,324,163▼1.8% | 990 |
| 2021 | $82,818,237▲102% | $32,820,610▲12.9% | $201,838,269▲10.7% | $217,137,686▲18.3% | 990 |
| 2020 | $40,991,033▲2.8% | $29,057,840▼2.7% | $182,398,657▲37.7% | $183,515,377▲37.6% | 990 |
| 2019 | $39,889,386▼33.6% | $29,861,261▲2.5% | $132,439,370▲1.1% | $133,395,925▲1.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $60,076,970▲27.8% | $29,119,018▲4.9% | $131,054,002▲10.8% | $131,988,934▲10.8% | 990 |
| 2017 | $47,016,574▲24.9% | $27,768,510▲4.6% | $118,324,261▲24.9% | $119,095,278▲24.8% | 990 |
| 2016 | $37,651,474▲6.4% | $26,551,471▲19.2% | $94,717,935▲20.4% | $95,406,749▲20.3% | 990 |
| 2015 | $35,398,817▼9.3% | $22,279,867▲7.1% | $78,658,169▲17.4% | $79,294,547▲16.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $39,032,095▲63.6% | $20,811,748▲21.7% | $66,998,516▲43.5% | $67,930,031▲43.4% | 990 |
| 2013 | $23,854,021 | $17,097,949▲20.5% | $46,703,255▲26.2% | $47,377,045▲25.5% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $14,192,984▲17.4% | $36,996,798▲15.1% | $37,740,070▲15.3% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $12,084,350▲12.1% | $32,135,134▲6.8% | $32,743,247▲5.6% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $10,782,737 | $30,099,979 | $31,007,536 | 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 (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Dj Gerken — $321,468 (0.64% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dj Gerken | President & Executive Director | 50 | $321,468 |
| John Suttles | Deputy Director | 50 | $256,257 |
| Derb Carter | Senior Advisor & Senior Attorney | 50 | $252,098 |
| Katie Shevlin | Chief Development Officer | 50 | $227,893 |
| Erin Malec | Director of Communications | 50 | $215,939 |
| Nat Mund | Director of Federal Affairs | 50 | $202,745 |
| Alys Campaigne | Climate Initiative Leader | 50 | $194,511 |
| David Carr | Gen. Counsel, Tres -(5/24- 11/24) | 50 | $194,361 |
| Sarah Francisco | Director, Va Office | 50 | $192,201 |
| Trip Pollard | Senior Attorney | 50 | $190,553 |
| Gilbert Rogers | Director, Ga Office | 50 | $190,269 |
| Deborah Murray | Senior Attorney | 50 | $187,393 |
| Chandra Taylor | Environ. Justice Initiative Leader | 50 | $178,991 |
| Mary Maclean Asbill | Director, Nc Office | 50 | $177,188 |
| Geoff Gisler | Program Director | 50 | $174,882 |
| Hayley Parrish | Assis. To Ed & Board Admin. | 50 | $110,275 |
| Christie Wiggans | Fin. & Invest. Tres. (4/24-5/24) | 50 | $95,455 |
| Holly Hueston | Dir. Fin. & Admin./tres (to 4/24) | 50 | $80,496 |
| Cali Busch | Controller, Treasurer (from 11/24) | 50 | $42,276 |
| Allen M Mccallie | Trustee | 5 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin Rosen | Communication Support | $514,030 |
| Culmer Raphael Ltd | Communications & Advocacy | $401,773 |
| Energy Futures Group Inc | Prepare Testimony In Multiple Proceeding | $362,066 |
| Porcaro Stolarek Mete Partners LLC | Onsite Support & Managed It Services | $317,180 |
| Build Consulting LLC | It Strategy & Operations Consulting | $315,202 |
Grants received · $302.5M total
303 grants to Southern Environmental Law Center totaling $302.5M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $26,472,000 |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | Environmental protection | 2024 | $1,250,000 |
| Multiplier | Transmission solutions for a clean energy future | 2024 | $500,000 |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support education and outreach to build a clean energy future. | 2024 | $290,000 |
| The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta Inc | Environment | 2024 | $218,000 |
| Winston-salem Foundation | 13 grant(s) for varying purposes | 2024 | $167,739 |
| Maine Community Foundation Inc | Natural resources conservation & protection | 2024 | $150,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | Environment | 2024 | $150,000 |
| The New York Community Trust | For program support. | 2024 | $150,000 |
| The Community Foundation Inc | Economic prosperity | 2024 | $108,750 |
| The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc | Enhancing the environment | 2024 | $87,850 |
| Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc | Environment | 2024 | $79,500 |
| Philadelphia Foundation | General operating support | 2024 | $75,000 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $41,500 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $34,850 |
Grants made · $67K in FY2024
4 grants totaling $67K in FY2024. All grants made by Southern Environmental Law Center →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolinians For Passenger Rail | Lobbying for nc passenger rail | $23,750 |
| Conservation Alabama | Lobbying for alabama statewide public transporation needs assessment | $20,000 |
| Asian American Advocacy Fund Inc | Purchase and distribution of yard signs in support of county transit referenda | $13,500 |
| Virginia Wilderness Committee | Grant to support work in george washington and jefferson national forests | $10,000 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Southern Environmental Law Center a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Southern Environmental Law Center is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 52-1436778, based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Southern Environmental Law Center's EIN?
- Southern Environmental Law Center's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 52-1436778.
- How much revenue does Southern Environmental Law Center report?
- Southern Environmental Law Center reported $58,167,590 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Southern Environmental Law Center's spending goes to programs?
- Southern Environmental Law Center spends about 83% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Southern Environmental Law Center have?
- CharityIndex grades Southern Environmental Law Center A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Southern Environmental Law Center's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Southern Environmental Law Center's latest Form 990 is $321,468, paid to Dj Gerken (President & Executive Director).
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Data for Southern Environmental Law Center (EIN 52-1436778) 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.