Natural Resources Defense Council Inc
Natural Resources Defense Council maintains strong assets despite periods of deficit spending.
EIN: 132654926 · New York, NY · NTEE: C300 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $505.3M |
| Total Expenses | $226.9M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $462.5M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Natural Resources Defense Council Inc Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Natural Resources Defense Council Inc
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc (EIN: 132654926) is a nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, classified under NTEE code C300. The organization reported total revenue of $505.3M and total assets of $600.6M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Natural Resources Defense Council Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 56 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $193.1M |
| Total Expenses | $226.9M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-33,721,782 |
| Total Assets | $576.9M |
| Total Liabilities | $114.4M |
| Net Assets | $462.5M |
| Operating Margin | -17.5% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 19.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 30.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Natural Resources Defense Council Inc reported a deficit of $33.7M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 30.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.8% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Natural Resources Defense Council Inc's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +3.7% | +7.0% | -4.2% |
| 2022 | -32.0% | +16.4% | -10.9% |
| 2021 | +38.5% | -1.6% | +44.6% |
| 2020 | +8.7% | +6.9% | +5.5% |
| 2019 | -0.3% | +16.1% | +7.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1200 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1970 |
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 Natural Resources Defense Council Inc 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: 12%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 8%
According to IRS 990 filings, Natural Resources Defense Council Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 12%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 8%. With 80% 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 $33.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 19.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data consistently shows 0% for officer compensation across all filings, which is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue. This suggests that executive compensation is either not reported in this specific field on the 990, or is included within other expense categories, making it difficult to assess relative to the organization's substantial scale.
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 Natural Resources Defense Council Inc's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and may indicate a lack of detailed reporting in this specific field or inclusion in other categories, hindering full transparency.
- Occasional deficit spending where expenses exceed revenue (e.g., 2023 and 2022), suggesting reliance on reserves or investment income to cover operational costs.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Natural Resources Defense Council Inc:
- Strong and growing asset base, increasing from $293,669,408 in 2014 to $600,593,128 currently, indicating financial stability and capacity.
- Substantial revenue generation, with the latest reported revenue at $505,265,131, demonstrating significant public support.
- High program spending ratio (estimated 80%), indicating a strong focus on its mission.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), suggesting consistent compliance and transparency in reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Resources Defense Council Inc
Is Natural Resources Defense Council Inc a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Natural Resources Defense Council Inc (EIN: 132654926) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Natural Resources Defense Council Inc spend its money?
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Natural Resources Defense Council Inc tax-deductible?
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 132654926). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Natural Resources Defense Council Inc's spending goes to programs?
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc directs 80% to programs, 8% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Natural Resources Defense Council Inc compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Natural Resources Defense Council Inc is above average for NTEE category C300 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Natural Resources Defense Council Inc located?
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc is headquartered in New York, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 132654926. It is classified under NTEE code C300.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Natural Resources Defense Council Inc have?
Natural Resources Defense Council Inc 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 $505.3M in total revenue.
Is Natural Resources Defense Council Inc a good charity?
Based on the available data, NRDC appears to be a financially strong and impactful charity. It has a large asset base ($600,593,128) and substantial revenue, indicating significant capacity to pursue its mission. While there are periods of deficit spending (e.g., 2023 and 2022), its overall financial health and growth in assets are positive indicators. The high program spending ratio (estimated 80%) suggests efficient use of funds towards its mission.
How does NRDC manage its finances given occasional deficits?
NRDC has experienced periods where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2023 ($226,866,168 expenses vs. $193,144,386 revenue) and 2022 ($211,994,021 expenses vs. $186,185,838 revenue). This suggests the organization likely utilizes its substantial accumulated assets ($600,593,128) or investment income to cover these shortfalls, maintaining its operational capacity and long-term stability.
What is the trend in NRDC's financial growth?
NRDC has shown significant financial growth over the past decade. Its assets have more than doubled from $293,669,408 in 2014 to $600,593,128 currently. Revenue has also seen substantial increases, with the latest reported revenue at $505,265,131, indicating a strong upward trajectory in its financial capacity.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Natural Resources Defense Council Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Natural Resources Defense Council Inc's revenue has grown by 99%, moving from $97.1M to $193.1M. Total assets increased by 131.7% over the same period, from $249.0M to $576.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 131.2%, from $98.1M to $226.9M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Natural Resources Defense Council Inc reported a deficit of $33.7M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $114.4M in liabilities against $576.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 19.8%), resulting in net assets of $462.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $193.1M | $226.9M | $576.9M | $114.4M | — | — |
| 2022 | $186.2M | $212.0M | $602.3M | $126.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $273.7M | $182.1M | $675.6M | $130.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $197.6M | $185.0M | $467.3M | $80.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $181.8M | $173.0M | $442.8M | $75.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $182.3M | $149.0M | $411.5M | $62.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $177.1M | $128.8M | $366.7M | $60.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $129.8M | $133.4M | $301.6M | $65.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $155.2M | $126.7M | $306.3M | $62.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $121.6M | $115.8M | $293.7M | $61.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $116.0M | $102.4M | $268.2M | $59.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $98.7M | $104.3M | $241.8M | $59.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $97.1M | $98.1M | $249.0M | $51.5M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $193.1M, expenses of $226.9M, and assets of $576.9M (revenue +3.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $186.2M, expenses of $212.0M, and assets of $602.3M (revenue -32.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $273.7M, expenses of $182.1M, and assets of $675.6M (revenue +38.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $197.6M, expenses of $185.0M, and assets of $467.3M (revenue +8.7% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $181.8M, expenses of $173.0M, and assets of $442.8M (revenue -0.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $182.3M, expenses of $149.0M, and assets of $411.5M (revenue +2.9% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $177.1M, expenses of $128.8M, and assets of $366.7M (revenue +36.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $129.8M, expenses of $133.4M, and assets of $301.6M (revenue -16.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $155.2M, expenses of $126.7M, and assets of $306.3M (revenue +27.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $121.6M, expenses of $115.8M, and assets of $293.7M (revenue +4.9% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $116.0M, expenses of $102.4M, and assets of $268.2M (revenue +17.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $98.7M, expenses of $104.3M, and assets of $241.8M (revenue +1.7% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $97.1M, expenses of $98.1M, and assets of $249.0M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Natural Resources Defense Council Inc:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Natural Resources Defense Council Inc 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.