Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
Environmental Defense Fund reports a $79 million deficit in latest period after years of surpluses, maintaining strong assets.
EIN: 116107128 · New York, NY · NTEE: C600 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $552.7M |
| Total Expenses | $326.5M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $290.7M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated (EIN: 116107128) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code C600. The organization reported total revenue of $552.7M and total assets of $391.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 57 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 8.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $247.1M |
| Total Expenses | $326.5M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-79,399,381 |
| Total Assets | $477.6M |
| Total Liabilities | $186.9M |
| Net Assets | $290.7M |
| Operating Margin | -32.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 39.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 17.6 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated reported a deficit of $79.4M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 17.6 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 39.1% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -13.2% | +19.7% | +5.6% |
| 2022 | -22.0% | +26.3% | +3.4% |
| 2021 | +82.0% | +10.3% | +63.2% |
| 2020 | +8.1% | +3.8% | -4.6% |
| 2019 | -11.9% | +2.7% | +14.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2800 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1969 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $79.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 39.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The reported 0% officer compensation across all filings suggests that executive compensation is either not paid or not reported in the 'Officer Comp' field, which is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue, warranting a deeper look into other compensation schedules within the full 990.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's IRS 990 filings:
- 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
The following positive indicators were identified for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated:
- 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).
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) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated spend its money?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated tax-deductible?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 116107128). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's spending goes to programs?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is above average for NTEE category C600 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated located?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 116107128. It is classified under NTEE code C600.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated have?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $552.7M in total revenue.
Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated a good charity?
Based on the available data, the organization demonstrates strong financial health with substantial assets and a history of significant revenue generation. The consistent 0% officer compensation reported is a positive indicator of transparency, though further detail on executive pay would be beneficial. Its mission alignment with environmental protection (NTEE C600) is clear, and its scale suggests significant programmatic reach.
Why was there a $79 million deficit in the 202309 period?
In the 202309 period, Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated reported expenses of $326,456,967 against revenues of $247,057,586, resulting in a deficit. The specific reasons for this deficit are not detailed in the summary data but could be due to increased programmatic spending, strategic investments, or fluctuations in fundraising.
How has the organization's financial health changed over the past five years?
Over the past five years (201909-202309), Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated has seen significant growth in revenue, peaking at $365,118,097 in 202109, and a substantial increase in assets from $280,913,957 to $477,638,635. While the latest period shows a deficit, the overall trend indicates robust financial growth and asset accumulation.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's revenue has grown by 156.4%, moving from $96.4M to $247.1M. Total assets increased by 210.2% over the same period, from $154.0M to $477.6M. Total functional expenses rose by 268.7%, from $88.5M to $326.5M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated reported a deficit of $79.4M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $186.9M in liabilities against $477.6M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 39.1%), resulting in net assets of $290.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $247.1M | $326.5M | $477.6M | $186.9M | — | — |
| 2022 | $284.8M | $272.8M | $452.2M | $90.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $365.1M | $216.0M | $437.2M | $72.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $200.6M | $195.8M | $267.9M | $54.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $185.6M | $188.6M | $280.9M | $72.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $210.6M | $183.6M | $245.4M | $33.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $146.7M | $171.5M | $221.1M | $36.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $157.3M | $154.4M | $242.3M | $33.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $138.5M | $136.3M | $225.2M | $21.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $147.2M | $126.8M | $224.8M | $20.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $149.7M | $115.5M | $208.8M | $22.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $111.9M | $102.0M | $173.1M | $21.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $96.4M | $88.5M | $154.0M | $16.9M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $247.1M, expenses of $326.5M, and assets of $477.6M (revenue -13.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $284.8M, expenses of $272.8M, and assets of $452.2M (revenue -22.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $365.1M, expenses of $216.0M, and assets of $437.2M (revenue +82.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $200.6M, expenses of $195.8M, and assets of $267.9M (revenue +8.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $185.6M, expenses of $188.6M, and assets of $280.9M (revenue -11.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $210.6M, expenses of $183.6M, and assets of $245.4M (revenue +43.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $146.7M, expenses of $171.5M, and assets of $221.1M (revenue -6.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $157.3M, expenses of $154.4M, and assets of $242.3M (revenue +13.5% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $138.5M, expenses of $136.3M, and assets of $225.2M (revenue -5.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $147.2M, expenses of $126.8M, and assets of $224.8M (revenue -1.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $149.7M, expenses of $115.5M, and assets of $208.8M (revenue +33.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $111.9M, expenses of $102.0M, and assets of $173.1M (revenue +16.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $96.4M, expenses of $88.5M, and assets of $154.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.