Non-profit

Earthjustice

Official logo of Earthjustice (link) by Earthjustice is licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 (link)
Location:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Tax ID:

94-1730465

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2016):

Revenue: $51,911,899
Expenses: $45,596,020
Assets: $84,009,013

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Earthjustice (formerly the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund) is a public interest law firm that litigates cases related to left-leaning climate and energy policy, often on behalf of left-leaning climate policy organizations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Rainforest Action Network, the League of Conservation Voters, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. 1

Earthjustice’s initial funding came from the Ford Foundation. 2 It has received significant financial support from several other left-leaning foundations, such as the Sandler Foundation,3 the MacArthur Foundation,4 the David and Lucile Packard Foundation,5 6 7 and the Brainerd Foundation. 8

Earthjustice works with local activists to achieve left-leaning climate and energy policy goals, such as two projects in 2018 and 2019 to impede production of new natural gas fired power plants in California. 9 A Community-Based Initiatives Program was launched in 2018 with the announced goal of helping local activists block oil and gas production. 10 Earthjustice made a priority of attempting to stop the Trump administration from enacting its regulatory reduction and energy policy, filing more than 100 lawsuits against the administration. 11

Background

Earthjustice, formerly known as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, is a public interest law firm that litigates cases related to left-leaning climate and energy policy, often on behalf of left-leaning climate policy organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Earthjustice’s work is done pro bono, with funding from cases provided by donors. Funding from the Ford Foundation helped Earthjustice mature from an organization backed by lawyers with other jobs to a law firm with infrastructure, staff, etc. Its structure as a law firm was based upon the model created by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 12 13 14

Always an independent group despite its name affiliation with the Sierra Club, Earthjustice changed its name in 1997. 15

First Case

Earthjustice was founded as the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund in 1971 when the environmental activists at the Club sued to stop Walt Disney from building a ski resort in Sequoia National Park land known as Mineral King. 16 The Club sued after spending six years opposing the resort, and lost at the U.S. Supreme Court when the justices ruled the group had no legal standing. 17

However, the Court’s decision included two notations which gave the Club the chance to again challenge the Mineral King resort. First, a dissenting Supreme Court justice said the environment should have an advocate–that trees would have to rely on third-party legal assistance. Additionally, the Court’s ruling was based on a lack of proven harm to the Club and its members. In its second challenge, the Club found nine people who claimed that their wilderness experiences would be harmed by the construction of a resort, and sued on their behalf. A lower court issued an injunction against Disney. By this time, Disney had fought to build the resort for over a decade. 18 The legal battle eventually became irrelevant when Congress included Mineral King in protected lands in 1978. 19

From 1990s to Present

The Mineral King case was groundbreaking for the environmental movement, which previously had limited success with lawsuits. The representative harm strategy became a foundation of the left-of-center climate and environmental lawsuits for the next several decades. 20

Twenty-six years after its founding, the Sierra Club Defense Fund changed its name, declaring that its legal mission had gone beyond the Club’s interests. 21 At the time of the name change, Earthjustice had 50 attorneys in nine cities. 22 As of May 2020, the organization had 143 attorneys in 14 cities pursuing over 600 cases. 23 It has represented hundreds of organizations, including left-leaning climate policy organizations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Rainforest Action Network, the League of Conservation Voters, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. 24

Earthjustice sometimes promotes a left-leaning ideology that is unrelated to climate and energy policy. In 2020, the organization published an analysis which compared the COVID-19 pandemic to the effects of climate change. It asserted that “America’s racist past and economic exclusion” and an alleged ongoing “influence of racism” were responsible for the pandemic disproportionately harming minority communities. 25

Litigation Agenda

Earthjustice’s case study website examines its lawsuits regarding coal, bird protection, pesticides, national forest protections, and more. 26 In 2014, Earthjustice won a case in which it represented the NAACP, the Sierra Club, and other organizations which opposed weakening a 2012 air toxins regulation. 27

Earthjustice was key to Massachusetts’ 2007 Supreme Court victory where the Court told the EPA it had the authority to regulate output of greenhouse gases. Originally filed by private citizens in 1999, the lawsuit took eight years to be completed because the EPA said it did not have authority to regulate greenhouse gas output. Additionally, though the case was originally filed by private organizations, it was eventually taken up by government authorities in a variety of states and municipalities, including Massachusetts. The Supreme Court did not stipulate how the EPA should regulate greenhouse gases, but merely determined that the agency had the statutory authority to do so. 28

Earthjustice described Ronald Reagan’s environmental record as “abysmal.” 29 Reagan was a supporter of the Disney ski resort as California’s governor. 30

Earthjustice regularly opposed the environmental policies of the George W. Bush administration. Timber deregulation in 2008 drew a lawsuit. 31 The administration settled on timber regulations in 2003. 32 And Earthjustice filed a number of lawsuits in 2001 against the Bush administration, as well as pointing to what it claimed was a reduction in pollution enforcement by the administration. 33

While Earthjustice filed “hundreds of lawsuits” against the Obama administration, Earthjustice’s then-president said in 2016 that the group was “profoundly grateful” to the administration for its prioritizing climate policy record. 34

Opposition to the Trump Administration

Earthjustice made a priority of attempting to stop the Trump administration from enacting its regulatory reduction and energy policies. Over 100 lawsuits were filed against the administration, 49 of which have received a court decision, with Earthjustice claiming victory in 39 of them. 35

A 2016 Obama-era moratorium on leasing public land to coal miners was overturned early in the Trump administration, but an Earthjustice lawsuit led a judge to order reinstatement of the Obama-era rule. 36 Trump’s decision to allow oil and gas exploration and drilling in Alaska was likewise halted after a judge ruled that the moratorium should stay in place. 37 Earthjustice also convinced a court that Trump-era deregulation of chemical plant disaster plan requirements was unlawful. 38 In February 2020, Earthjustice argued that a 2017 rule which did not allow people receiving Environmental Protection Agency grants and other funding to serve on agency advisory committees went too far in terms of protecting taxpayers from ethics issues. 39

One of Earthjustice’s energy pipeline victories overturned a Trump administration rule which allowed the Dakota Access Pipeline to be built. A court determined in 2020 that a full environmental survey should be done first, something which the Obama administration required in 2016. 40 In a similar battle over four Obama-era conservation and energy efficiency regulations which were implemented in December 2016–in between Trump’s victory and his instatement into office–Earthjustice convinced a court to order the Trump administration to publish the standards in a public space. According to the judge, the Trump administration’s failure to publish the standards “is a violation of the Department’s duties under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.” 41

Earthjustice has won cases favoring animal habitat rights and hunting restrictions against the administration. In at least one of those cases, the Trump administration was enforcing an Obama-era decision. 42

Earthjustice also took on the Trump administration’s revocation of a California waiver which allowed California to enact greenhouse emissions standards which are more stringent than federal standards. Earthjustice said the administration’s action risked similar standards in other states. 43

Partnerships

Earthjustice regularly works with Native American tribes to protect their lands from being used for energy pipelines and other economic development. 44

A spokesperson for Earthjustice was quoted as opposing the federal government’s virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, asserting that technological difficulties among Native American tribes meant that tribe members could not attend such meetings and would thus be denied an effective voice on matters affecting tribes. 45

Earthjustice works with local activists to achieve left-leaning climate and energy policy goals, such as two projects in 2018 and 2019 to impede production of new natural gas fired power plants in California. 46 The Community-Based Initiatives Program was launched in 2018 with the announced goal of helping local activists block oil and gas production. 47

In 2015, Earthjustice joined the Creation Action Network to create an art protest initiative designed to protect wolves. The effort was specifically designed to oppose congressional efforts to take wolves off the endangered species list. 48

Leadership

Staff and Board

Abigail Dillen has been Earthjustice’s president since 2018. 49 A former Climate & Energy vice president and an attorney for Earthjustice’s anti-coal initiatives, Dillen first came to Earthjustice in 2000. 50 Dillen is married to architect Jasmit Singh Rangr. 51

Drew Caputo is Earthjustice’s vice president of Litigation for Lands, Wildlife and Oceans. He began his legal career with Earthjustice before spending 13 years with another environmental group and eight years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in San Francisco, California. 52

Jill Tauber leads Earthjustice’s Climate & Energy litigation as vice president. Her Earthjustice bio states that her department’s goal is to use the legal system “to achieve a swift and equitable shift from fossil fuels to 100% clean energy and to curb the devastating effects of climate change.” She was previously managing attorney for Earthjustice’s clean energy litigation, where she represented clients who wanted to force public utilities to adopt environmentalist energy sources. 53

Fern Shepard is Earthjustice’s board chair. She is also president of Rachel’s Network, an “ecofeminist” organization. She was previously an attorney with Earthjustice for 11 years. 54

Earthjustice board members often represent other influential groups and/or industries. Examples include the Sandler Foundation’s executive president, a former senior executive of Toyota’s North American operations, former and current hedge fund industry representatives, and college professors. 55

Founders

Earthjustice’s founders were Phil Berry, Fred Fisher, and Don Harris. Former Sierra Club legal experts, they founded the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund in 1971. 56

Berry was previously chair of the Sierra Club Legal Committee and was elected president of the Sierra Club in 1969. He also was president of the Club again in 1991.

Fisher was board chair of the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund from 1995 to 2000.

Harris was on Earthjustice’s board for 35 years and was board chair of the group from 1971 to 1989.

Financials

Earthjustice’s initial funding came from the Ford Foundation, which helped it fight the Mineral King case and generally develop its groundbreaking environmental strategy. 57 The Foundation grant was $98,000 – approximately $630,000 in 2020 dollars. 58 59

The organization regularly receives significant funding from outside foundations. The Sandler Foundation, which helped found groups like the Center for American Progress, gave $3 million from 2009 to 2015. 60 The Sandler Foundation website describes Earthjustice as “the premier nonprofit environmental law organization” and stated that its financial assistance has focused on improving Earthjustice’s internal infrastructure. 61

Examples of other major left-leaning foundation donors include:

The JPB Foundation, which gave $2 million dollars in 2017. 62

The William + Flora Hewlett Foundation gave $350,000 in 2012. 63

The MacArthur Foundation donated $4.69 million from 1987 to 2018, including three million dollars in 2018. 64

The Conservation Alliance donated nearly $300,000 from 2012 to 2019. 65

The Educational Foundation of America gave $225,000 to Earthjustice in 2014. 66

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, which donated $510,000 in two grants in 2017 and $500,000 in 2018. 67 68 69

The Brainerd Foundation has given approximately $1.6 million in annual donations since 2001. 70

According to a report in Axios, Earthjustice’s revenues jumped in 2016 and 2017 due to environmental activists’ concerns about President Donald Trump’s focus on federal deregulation of industries which impact the environment. 71 Revenues increased from over $47 million in 2015 more than $90 million in 2016. 72 2017 revenues were more than $74 million, more than 50 percent above 2015 revenues. 73 Two-thirds of Earthjustice’s expenses in 2015, 2016, and 2017 were employee pay, benefits, and other compensation. 74 75

References

  1. Earthjustice, “Our clients.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/our_work/clients
  2. Earthjustice, “Mineral King: Breaking down the courthouse door.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/mineral-king-breaking-down-the-courthouse-door
  3. Jonathan M. Hanen, “No shame on the left,” Capital Research Center, February 05, 2015. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://capitalresearch.org/article/no-shame-on-the-left/
  4. MacArthur Foundation, “Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.macfound.org/grantees/7229
  5. [1] The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, “Earthjustice,” 2017 grant to use the law to defend environmental protections for marine ecosystems in 2017. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/earthjustice/
  6. [1] The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, “Earthjustice,” 2017 grant for the ocean program. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/earthjustice-2/
  7. [1] The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, “Earthjustice,” 2018 grant to continue the ongoing defense of marine protected areas, challenges to the expansion of offshore drilling, advocacy of sustainable fisheries management, and protection of the Endangered Species Act. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/earthjustice-3/
  8. [1] The Brainerd Foundation, “Groups we’ve funded: Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.brainerd.org/grantee-profile.php?orgID=00035
  9. Earthjustice, “Community Partnerships Program.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/about/offices/community-partnerships
  10. Earthjustice, “Angela Johnson Meszaros to lead new community partnership work at Earthjustice,” October 17, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2018/angela-johnson-meszaros-to-lead-new-community-partnership-work-at-earthjustice

  11. Earthjustice, “Trump Administration.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/environmental-lawsuits-trump-administration
  12. Earthjustice, Our History. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/about/our_history
  13. Earthjustice, “What you should know about Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020.https://earthjustice.org/features/what-you-need-to-know-about-earthjustice
  14. Trip Van Noppen, “In memory of H. Donald Harris,” Earthjustice, February 02, 2015. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/blog/2015-january/in-memory-of-h-donald-harris
  15. Earthjustice, “What you should know about Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/what-you-need-to-know-about-earthjustice
  16. Earthjustice, Our History. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/about/our_history
  17. Justia, “Sierra Club v. Morton, 405 U.S. 727 (1972).” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/405/727/
  18. Earthjustice, “Mineral King: Breaking down the courthouse door.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/mineral-king-breaking-down-the-courthouse-door
  19. Nathan Masters, “Disney’s Lost plans to build a ski resort in Sequoia National Park,” KCET, February 20, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/disneys-lost-plans-to-build-a-ski-resort-in-sequoia-national-park
  20. Earthjustice, “Mineral King: Breaking down the courthouse door.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/mineral-king-breaking-down-the-courthouse-door
  21. Earthjustice, “Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund changes name to Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund,” June 14, 1997. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/news/press/1997/sierra-club-legal-defense-fund-changes-name-to-earthjustice-legal-defense-fund
  22. Earthjustice, “Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund changes name to Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund,” June 14, 1997. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/news/press/1997/sierra-club-legal-defense-fund-changes-name-to-earthjustice-legal-defense-fund
  23. Earthjustice, Main Website Page. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/
  24. Earthjustice, “Our clients.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/our_work/clients
  25. Jessica A. Knoblauch and Keith Rushing, “Justice in the time of two crises: COVID and climate change,” May 04, 2020. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/blog/2020-may/justice-in-the-time-of-two-crises-covid-and-climate-change
  26. Earthjustice, “Victories.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/our_work/victories

  27. Earthjustice, “Court upholds air safeguard that would prevent thousands of deaths,” April 15, 2014. Accessed May 28, 2020.https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2014/court-upholds-air-safeguard-that-would-prevent-thousands-of-deaths
  28. The United States Department of Justice, “Massachusetts v. EPA.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://www.justice.gov/enrd/massachusetts-v-epa

  29. Ted Zukoski, “Reagan’s eco legacy is a trifle one-sided,” Earthjustice, February 07, 2011. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/blog/2011-february/reagan-s-eco-legacy-is-a-trifle-one-side

  30. Earthjustice, “Mineral King: Breaking down the courthouse door.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/mineralking/courthouse/

  31. Earthjustice, “Bush administration challenged over abandonment of wildlife protections,” May 06, 2008. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2008/bush-administration-challenged-over-abandonment-of-wildlife-protections

  32. Earthjustice, “Bush administration and timber industry settle lawsuits,” January 15, 2003. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2003/bush-administration-and-timber-industry-settle-lawsuits

  33. Earthjustice, “Bush environmental rollbacks: The first year,” January 10, 2002. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2002/bush-environmental-rollbacks-the-first-year

  34. Trip Van Noppen, “Thank you, President Obama,” Earthjustice, January 13, 2017. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/blog/2017-january/thank-you-president-obama

  35. Earthjustice, “Trump Administration.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/features/environmental-lawsuits-trump-administration

  36. Earthjustice, “This land is our land.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/features/coal-leasing-moratorium

  37. Earthjustice, “Inside the legal case: A federal judge nixed Trump’s attempt to drill the Arctic and Atlantic,” April 05, 2019. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/features/inside-legal-case-judge-nixed-trump-attempt-drill-arctic-atlantic

  38. Earthjustice, “Community groups force EPA to end delay of chemical disaster rule,” August 17, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2018/community-groups-force-epa-to-end-delay-of-chemical-disaster-rule

  39. Ellen M. Gilmer and Maya Earls, “Judges grapple with Trump EPA policy on science advisers (1),” Bloomberg Law, February 19, 2020. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/judges-grapple-with-trump-epa-policy-on-science-advisers

  40. Earthjustice, “Standing Rock Sioux Tribe prevails as federal judge strikes down DAPL permits,” March 25, 2020. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2020/standing-rock-sioux-tribe-prevails-as-federal-judge-strikes-down-dapl-permits

  41. United States District Court, Northern District of California, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., et al., v. James R. Perry, et al. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/files/81_Judge_Order%20Denying%20Mot%20to%20Dismiss%20and%20Granting%20MSJ_02-15-2018.pdf

  42. Jessica A. Knoblauch, “Dusky sharks snatch victory as courts tire of Trump antics,” Earthjustice, April 10, 2019. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/blog/2019-april/dusky-sharks-win-as-courts-tire-of-trump-antics

  43. Earthjustice, “Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and allies sue EPA over attack on California’s waiver,” November 22, 2019. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2019/earthjustice-sierra-club-and-allies-sue-epa-over-attack-on-california-waiver

  44. Earthjustice, “Tribal partnerships.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/our_work/tribal-partnerships

  45. Earthjustice, “Tribal partnerships.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/our_work/tribal-partnerships

  46. Earthjustice, “Community Partnerships Program.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/about/offices/community-partnerships

  47. Earthjustice, “Angela Johnson Meszaros to lead new community partnership work at Earthjustice,” October 17, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2018/angela-johnson-meszaros-to-lead-new-community-partnership-work-at-earthjustice

  48. Earthjustice, “Earthjustice partners with Creative Action Network to crowd-source art celebrating wolves,” August 04, 2015. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2015/earthjustice-partners-with-creative-action-network-to-crowd-source-art-celebrating-wolves

  49. Maxine Joselow, “Earthjustice chief: ‘Basic norms are getting blown up,’” E&E News, June 22, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2020.https://www.eenews.net/special_reports/offtopic/stories/1060086185
  50. Earthjustice, “Abigail Dillen.” Accessed May 28, 2020.https://earthjustice.org/about/staff/abigail-dillen
  51. Rangr Studio, Profile.  Accessed May 28, 2020.http://www.rangr.com/profile.html
  52. Earthjustice, “Drew Caputo.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/about/staff/drew-caputo

  53. Earthjustice, “Jill Tauber.” Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/about/staff/jill-tauber

  54. Earthjustice, Our Board of Trustees. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/about/board_of_trustees

  55. Earthjustice, Our Board of Trustees. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://earthjustice.org/about/board_of_trustees

  56. Earthjustice, “Our history: The founders of Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/founders
  57. Earthjustice, “Mineral King: Breaking down the courthouse door.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://earthjustice.org/features/mineral-king-breaking-down-the-courthouse-door
  58. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI Inflation Calculator. Accessed May 28, 2020.

    https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

  59. Alan K. Chen and Scott Cummings, Public Interest Lawyering: A Contemporary Perspective, New York: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, 2014. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://books.google.com/books?id=Q57fDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT97&lpg=PT97&dq=earthjustice+%22ford+foundation%22&source=bl&ots=CG3GLMHA3F&sig=ACfU3U2qvhAkSsHa25biDpbsWlL6v0-WSA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivjuO51tfpAhWuneAKHQGoCEMQ6AEwBHoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=earthjustice%20%22ford%20foundation%22&f=false
  60. Jonathan M. Hanen, “No shame on the left,” Capital Research Center, February 05, 2015. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://capitalresearch.org/article/no-shame-on-the-left/
  61. Sandler Foundation, “Grants.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.sandlerfoundation.org/grants/
  62. Pro Publica, JPB Foundation 2017 990, Accessed July 23, 2019. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/900747216/201803169349100615/IRS990PF
  63. William + Flora Hewlett Foundation, “Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://hewlett.org/grants/earthjustice-for-general-operating-support/
  64. MacArthur Foundation, “Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.macfound.org/grantees/7229/
  65. The Conservation Alliance, “Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. http://www.conservationalliance.com/organizations/earthjustice/
  66. [1] The Educational Foundation of America, “2014 Environmental Committee Grants.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://theefa.org/past-grants-1/2017/1/9/2013-grants
  67. [1] The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, “Earthjustice,” 2017 grant to use the law to defend environmental protections for marine ecosystems in 2017. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/earthjustice/
  68. [1] The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, “Earthjustice,” 2017 grant for the ocean program. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/earthjustice-2/
  69. [1] The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, “Earthjustice,” 2018 grant to continue the ongoing defense of marine protected areas, challenges to the expansion of offshore drilling, advocacy of sustainable fisheries management, and protection of the Endangered Species Act. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.packard.org/grants-and-investments/grants-database/earthjustice-3/
  70. [1] The Brainerd Foundation, “Groups we’ve funded: Earthjustice.” Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.brainerd.org/grantee-profile.php?orgID=00035
  71. [1] Amy Harder and Harry Stevens, “Exclusive: Fundraising by environmental groups spikes under Trump,” September 09, 2019. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.axios.com/exclusive-fundraising-by-environmental-groups-spikes-under-trump-8cab9cde-e3cd-472b-aa7b-6583b506f539.html
  72. [1] ProPublica, EarthJustice 2016 990. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/941730465/10_2018_prefixes_91-94%2F941730465_201706_990_2018101715801959
  73. [1] ProPublica, EarthJustice 2017 990. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/941730465/04_2019_prefixes_92-99%2F941730465_201806_990_2019041216216657
  74. [1] ProPublica, EarthJustice 2017 990. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/941730465/04_2019_prefixes_92-99%2F941730465_201806_990_2019041216216657
  75. [1] ProPublica, EarthJustice 2016 990. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/941730465/10_2018_prefixes_91-94%2F941730465_201706_990_2018101715801959

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Janet Maughan
    Board Member
  2. Winsome McIntosh
    Board Member

Donor Organizations

  1. 444S Foundation (Non-profit)
  2. Abell Foundation (Non-profit)
  3. Annenberg Foundation (Non-profit)
  4. Baker Street Foundation (Non-profit)
  5. Bobolink Foundation (Non-profit)
  6. Brainerd Foundation (Non-profit)
  7. Bullitt Foundation (Non-profit)
  8. Campion Foundation (Non-profit)
  9. Christopher Reynolds Foundation (Non-profit)
  10. Compton Foundation (Non-profit)
  11. Craigslist Charitable Fund (Non-profit)
  12. Crankstart Foundation (Non-profit)
  13. Deer Creek Foundation (Non-profit)
  14. Educational Foundation of America (EFA) (Non-profit)
  15. Firedoll Foundation (Non-profit)
  16. Flora Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  17. Foundation for the Carolinas (FFTC) (Non-profit)
  18. Foundation to Decrease World Suck (Non-profit)
  19. High Tide Foundation (Non-profit)
  20. James Irvine Foundation (Non-profit)
  21. John Merck Fund (Non-profit)
  22. JPB Foundation (Non-profit)
  23. Kendeda Fund (Non-profit)
  24. Kohlberg Foundation (Non-profit)
  25. Krupp Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  26. La Salle Adams Fund (Non-profit)
  27. Leaves of Grass Fund (Non-profit)
  28. Libra Foundation (Non-profit)
  29. Marty & Dorothy Silverman Foundation (Non-profit)
  30. McIntosh Foundation (Non-profit)
  31. Mighty Arrow Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  32. MWC Foundation (Non-profit)
  33. Overbrook Foundation (Non-profit)
  34. Padosi Foundation (Non-profit)
  35. Park Foundation (Non-profit)
  36. Partnership Project (Non-profit)
  37. Passport Foundation (Non-profit)
  38. Paul M. Angell Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  39. Peace Development Fund (Non-profit)
  40. Pew Charitable Trusts (Non-profit)
  41. Rita Allen Foundation (Non-profit)
  42. Robertson Foundation (Non-profit)
  43. Rockefeller Brothers Fund (Non-profit)
  44. Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment (Non-profit)
  45. San Francisco Foundation (Non-profit)
  46. Sandler Foundation (Non-profit)
  47. Satterberg Foundation (Non-profit)
  48. Scherman Foundation (Non-profit)
  49. Schmidt Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  50. Tides Foundation (Non-profit)
  51. True North Foundation (Non-profit)
  52. Turner Foundation (Non-profit)
  53. WestWind Foundation (Non-profit)
  54. William B. Wiener Jr. Foundation (Non-profit)
  55. Wyss Foundation (Non-profit)

Clients

  1. American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) (Labor Union)
  2. Alaska Conservation Foundation (Non-profit)
  3. Alaska Wilderness League (Non-profit)
  4. Alliance For The Wild Rockies (Non-profit)
  5. American Bird Conservancy (Non-profit)
  6. American Friends Service Committee (Non-profit)
  7. American Lung Association (Non-profit)
  8. American Nurses Association (Non-profit)
  9. American Rivers (Non-profit)
  10. Anacostia Watershed Society (Non-profit)
  11. Appalachian Mountain Club (Other Group)
  12. Appalachian Voices (Non-profit)
  13. Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) (Non-profit)
  14. Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (Non-profit)
  15. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (For-profit)
  16. Beyond Pesticides (Non-profit)
  17. Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (Non-profit)
  18. BlueGreen Alliance (Non-profit)
  19. California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) (Non-profit)
  20. Cascadia Wildlands (Non-profit)
  21. Catskill Mountainkeeper (Non-profit)
  22. Center for Auto Safety (Non-profit)
  23. Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) (Non-profit)
  24. Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (Non-profit)
  25. Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) (Non-profit)
  26. Center for Effective Government (Non-profit)
  27. Center for Environmental Health (Non-profit)
  28. Center for Food Safety (Non-profit)
  29. Center for International Environmental Law (Non-profit)
  30. Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) (Non-profit)
  31. Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) (Non-profit)
  32. Chinese Progressive Association (San Francisco) (Non-profit)
  33. Citizens Coal Council (Non-profit)
  34. Clean Air Task Force (Non-profit)
  35. Clean Water Action (Non-profit)
  36. Climate Solutions (Non-profit)
  37. Communities for a Better Environment (Non-profit)
  38. Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice (Non-profit)
  39. Conservation Colorado Education Fund (Non-profit)
  40. Conservation Law Foundation (Non-profit)
  41. Consumer Federation of America (Non-profit)
  42. Consumer Reports (formerly Consumers Union) (Non-profit)
  43. Cook Inletkeeper (Non-profit)
  44. Corporate Ethics International (Non-profit)
  45. Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (Non-profit)
  46. David Suzuki Foundation (Non-profit)
  47. Defenders of Wildlife (Non-profit)
  48. Delaware Riverkeeper Network (Non-profit)
  49. Earth Charter Indiana (Non-profit)
  50. Earth Island Institute (Non-profit)
  51. Earthworks (Non-profit)
  52. Ecology Center (Non-profit)
  53. Endangered Habitats League (Non-profit)
  54. Environment California (Non-profit)
  55. Environmental Advocates of New York (Non-profit)
  56. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) (Non-profit)
  57. Environmental Integrity Project (Non-profit)
  58. Environmental Protection Information Center (Non-profit)
  59. Environmental Working Group (EWG) (Non-profit)
  60. Evergreen Islands (Non-profit)
  61. Florida Public Interest Research Group (Florida PIRG) Citizen Lobby (Non-profit)
  62. Food and Water Watch (FWW) (Non-profit)
  63. Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (Non-profit)
  64. Fresh Energy (Non-profit)
  65. Friends of Animals (Non-profit)
  66. Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (Non-profit)
  67. Friends of the Bitterroot (Non-profit)
  68. Friends of the Earth (Non-profit)
  69. Gas Free Seneca (Non-profit)
  70. Great Old Broads for Wilderness (Non-profit)
  71. GreenAction for Health and Environmental Justice (Non-profit)
  72. Greenpeace (Non-profit)
  73. Heal the Bay (Non-profit)
  74. Humane Society International (Non-profit)
  75. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) (Non-profit)
  76. Idaho Rivers United (Non-profit)
  77. Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) (Non-profit)
  78. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (Non-profit)
  79. International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) (Labor Union)
  80. International Center for Technology Assessment (Non-profit)
  81. International Forum on Globalization (Non-profit)
  82. Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (Non-profit)
  83. Klamath Forest Alliance (Non-profit)
  84. League of Conservation Voters (LCV) (Non-profit)
  85. League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (Non-profit)
  86. Mattawoman Watershed Society (Non-profit)
  87. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (Non-profit)
  88. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (Non-profit)
  89. National Audubon Society (Non-profit)
  90. National Parks Conservation Association (Non-profit)
  91. National Wildlife Federation (Non-profit)
  92. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) (Non-profit)
  93. Neighbors for Clean Air (Non-profit)
  94. New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) (Non-profit)
  95. Ocean Conservancy (Non-profit)
  96. Oceana (Non-profit)
  97. Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) (Non-profit)
  98. Ohio Public Interest Research Group (Ohio PIRG) Citizen Lobby (Non-profit)
  99. Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (Non-profit)
  100. Oil and Gas Accountability Project (Non-profit)
  101. Our Children’s Earth Foundation (Non-profit)
  102. Pacific Environment and Resources Center (Non-profit)
  103. Partnership for Policy Integrity (Non-profit)
  104. Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) (Non-profit)
  105. Pesticide Watch Education Fund (Non-profit)
  106. Physicians for Social Responsibility (Non-profit)
  107. Potomac Riverkeeper Network (Non-profit)
  108. Public Citizen (Non-profit)
  109. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Non-profit)
  110. Rainforest Action Network (RAN) (Non-profit)
  111. RE Sources for Sustainable Communities (Non-profit)
  112. ReThink Energy Florida (Non-profit)
  113. San Francisco Baykeeper (Non-profit)
  114. San Juan Citizens Alliance (Non-profit)
  115. Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (Non-profit)
  116. Save the Manatee Club (Non-profit)
  117. Sierra Club (Non-profit)
  118. Sightline Institute (Non-profit)
  119. Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (Non-profit)
  120. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (Non-profit)
  121. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (Non-profit)
  122. Surfrider Foundation (Non-profit)
  123. Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (Non-profit)
  124. The Lands Council (Non-profit)
  125. Trout Unlimited (Non-profit)
  126. Turtle Island Restoration Network (Non-profit)
  127. U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG) (Non-profit)
  128. Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) (Non-profit)
  129. United Farm Workers of America (Labor Union)
  130. Valley Watch (Non-profit)
  131. Vermont Natural Resources Council (Non-profit)
  132. Waterkeeper Alliance (Non-profit)
  133. Western Organization of Resource Councils (Non-profit)
  134. Western Resource Advocates (Non-profit)
  135. Western Watersheds Project (Non-profit)
  136. WildEarth Guardians (Non-profit)
  137. Wilderness Society (Non-profit)
  138. Women’s Voices for the Earth (Non-profit)
  139. World Wildlife Fund (Non-profit)
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: February 1, 1971

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2016 Jun Form 990 $51,911,899 $45,596,020 $84,009,013 $9,777,881 N $47,415,416 $3,529,854 $850,161 $3,020,491
    2015 Jun Form 990 $48,137,000 $43,134,272 $78,989,760 $10,956,741 N $45,063,123 $2,168,829 $905,123 $3,007,902 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $46,083,715 $38,423,512 $71,435,477 $8,598,399 N $42,562,786 $2,337,012 $982,390 $1,921,548 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $37,964,755 $34,911,296 $58,945,673 $8,244,593 N $32,609,428 $4,109,785 $867,250 $2,346,115 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $38,343,960 $33,216,785 $53,908,481 $7,791,128 N $32,386,669 $5,079,648 $682,413 $1,853,508 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $34,546,225 $29,369,765 $48,383,883 $7,127,033 N $29,629,520 $3,974,499 $806,801 $2,176,286 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Earthjustice

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