Quick charity verification for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated (EIN: 116107128)
Verdict: Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated appears trustworthy
85/100Mission Score
$552.7MRevenue
$391.7MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Latest period (202309) shows a significant deficit of approximately $79 million (Expenses $326,456,967 vs. Revenue $247,057,586).
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, which may indicate compensation is reported elsewhere or not at all, requiring further investigation of the full 990.
Strengths
Strong asset base, with assets of $477,638,635 in the latest filing, significantly exceeding liabilities.
History of substantial revenue generation, with several periods showing large surpluses (e.g., $149 million surplus in 202109).
Consistent growth in assets over the past decade, indicating financial stability and capacity.
Clear mission alignment with environmental protection (NTEE C600).
Spending Breakdown
How Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
75%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated (EIN: 116107128) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated a good charity to donate to?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated has a Mission Score of 85/100. Revenue: $552.7M. Assets: $391.7M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is 116107128. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated spend its money?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's tax-exempt status using EIN 116107128 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated demonstrates a strong financial position with substantial and generally growing revenue, reaching $247,057,586 in the 202309 period. While the organization experienced a deficit in the latest period, with expenses exceeding revenue by approximately $79 million, this follows several years of significant surpluses, such as the $149 million surplus in 202109. The organization maintains robust assets, reported at $477,638,635 in the latest filing, significantly outweighing liabilities. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings is a notable aspect of its transparency, indicating that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field, which might warrant further investigation into other compensation disclosures within the full 990 form. Overall, the organization appears financially stable, though the recent deficit should be monitored.