Non-profit

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

Logo for the Environmental Defense Fund - white background (link)
Website:

www.edf.org

Location:

NEW YORK, NY

Tax ID:

11-6107128

DUNS Number:

02-031-5511

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $365,118,097
Expenses: $216,037,687
Assets: $437,217,657

Formation:

1967 in New York, NY

Founders:

Dennis Puleston

Charles Wurster

Victor Yannacone

President:

Fred Krupp (Since 1984)

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a nonprofit environmental group known for its advocacy for public policies concerning global warming and a left-wing political agenda.

Since the EDF was founded in 1966, it has grown into a behemoth $150 million per year environmental action organization with twelve offices across the United States, and international offices in China, Europe, and Mexico.1 2

EDF uses interdisciplinary communications and litigation programming to advance what they describe as a bipartisan climate agenda.3  In reality, the group supports a liberal expansion of environmentalist policies including a federally mandated 20 percent decrease in carbon emissions in less than a decade; a 40-50 percent reduction in methane emissions resulting from natural gas production; and mandated reductions in chemicals that the EDF argues impact human health.4 5

The EDF is a strong ally of former President Barack Obama, calling him “the most consequential of any president in our history.” It has since declared its intent to continue fighting to preserve his administration’s environmental agenda, including his Green Power Plan and opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.6 7

The EDF has pledged to fight against President Donald Trump’s environmental agenda.8 It has opposed his administration’s proposals, including cabinet nominations, attempts to roll back the Obama administration’s environmental regulations, and Trump’s decision to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.9 10 11

The group’s massive budgets have been supported by a number of left-wing organizations, including the Joyce Foundation and Pew Charitable Trusts.12 In turn, the EDF has been frequently criticized for allowing its donors to use the organization’s work to advance their agendas.13

The Environmental Defense Action Fund is the EDF’s 501(c)(4) advocacy and “lobbying arm.”14 15

Founding

In 1965, a group of 10 scientists led by Dennis Puleston, Charles Wurster, and Victor Yannacone16 came together to support the findings contained in the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, which argued that the use of the pesticide DDT was having deleterious effects on the environment.17 Wurster said the group was created to do more than write letters to Congress to fight against corporations.18

In 1966, this group of scientists won their first action—a lawsuit against the Suffolk County Mosquito Commission for its use of the pesticide DDT.19 In 1967, the ten trustees gathered at Stony Brook University to formally incorporate the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund.20

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the Environmental Defense Fund expanded nationwide.21 The organization now has 12 offices across the United States, and international offices in China, Europe, and Mexico.22

Operational Overview

The Environmental Defense Fund’s programming activities are comprised of lobbying, research, communications, litigation, and providing legal advisory to other organizations.23 Each program is comprised of economists, lawyers, and scientists24 who focus on crafting issue-narratives based on four core “strategies,” economics, partnerships, policy, and science.25

The Environmental Defense Fund’s 2016 expenditures funded over $137 million worth of programs broken down across the following subjects26:

  • Climate and Energy ($75,453,948)
  • Oceans ($24,768,350)
  • Ecosystems ($20,985,800)
  • Health ($8,766,028)
  • Education ($7,040,201)

Currently the Environmental Defense Fund says that its main priority is to make sure that the EPA uses its authority to limit carbon emissions and is also focused on defending President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, expanding California’s strict state-wide greenhouse gas limits and seeking to further restrict natural gas production.27

Progressive Agenda

Environmental Defense Fund’s operations claim a bipartisan platform, purporting to work with allies “across the political spectrum.”28 However, the practiced agenda is not as bipartisan as portrayed, in fact the group readily admits, “most environmental issues are highly polarizing.29

One notably liberal policy that Environmental Defense Fund advocates is a so-called “carbon pricing,”30 which can either be accomplished through a new tax on emissions or an emissions trading scheme known as “cap and trade.”31

In 2014, the Environmental Defense Fund released a policy platform called BluePrint 2020.32 The blueprint lists a number of left-wing policies, which they label “high impact actions” that they hope to implement, including:33

  • A 20% decrease in American carbon emissions by 2025 utilizing the following policies:34
  • A federally mandated 30% cut in power-plant based emissions and support for President Obama’s EPA Clean Power Plan
  • Expansion and extension of California’s cap and trade program, with proceeds going to “disadvantaged communities,”
  • Work towards extending California’s program to a national cap and trade plan.
  • State energy policies to increase green energy market share
  • An approximate 40-50% reduction in methane emissions from natural gas production
  • And mandated reductions in chemicals that the group feels impact human health, via35:
  • A Federally mandated reduction in the use of chemicals based on “emerging” scientific theories.
  • Deep reductions in byproducts of the emissions from coal-fired power plants
  • An 80% reduction in “groundwater pollution” from natural gas production.

Opposition to Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, and as of 2021 accounted for 20 percent of American electricity production—the largest source of zero carbon electricity in the United States. 36 An  October 2018 proposal from The Nature Conservancy noted that zero-carbon nuclear plants produced 7.8 percent of total world energy output and recommended reducing carbon emissions by increasing nuclear capacity to 33 percent of total world energy output. 37

In 2017 EDF advocated for the shutdown of a nuclear energy plant in New York. 38  In 2016 EDF promoted the shutdown of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in California. 39  Environmental Progress accused EDF of “hypocrisy” because EDF advocated for taxpayer subsidies for wind and solar energy but opposed similar assistance for nuclear energy. 40

Ties to the Obama Administration

The Environmental Defense Fund claimed that President Barack Obama was “committed to clean energy, climate progress, and protecting our natural heritage.”41 In 2011, Nat Keohane, an enviro-economist from Environmental Defense Fund joined the Obama administration as a White House special advisor on energy and environmental issues,42 and over the course of Obama’s presidency the group praised43 and endorsed44 many of his environmental initiatives.

Environmental Defense Fund glowingly described President Obama’s environmental legacy as equivalent to that of President Richard Nixon (under whose administration the Environmental Protection Agency was founded) as “the most consequential of any president in our history.”45

The Environment Defense Fund supported the Obama administration on at least ten major environmental areas, including his Clean Power Plan, Paris Climate Accords, mandates for automobile fuel economy standards, green energy production subsidies, the creation of “climate hubs” to combat climate change, and the designation of more national monuments than any other president restricting the economic use of 260 million acres of land, mostly in the Western United States.46

The Environmental Defense Fund joined with other environmental groups to write a letter to President Obama urging the President to block the Keystone XL oil pipeline, stating, “There is not an inch of daylight between our policy position on the Keystone XL pipeline, and those of the protesters being arrested daily.”47 In 2015, the Obama administration blocked the construction of Keystone pipeline.48

Opposition to the Trump Administration

The Environmental Defense Fund has consistently demonstrated their disdain for President Trump and his environmental policies49 and has pledged “to fight Trump’s attacks on climate action.”50

The Environmental Defense Fund criticized Trump’s cabinet nominations51 and officially opposed Scott Pruitt’s nomination for EPA administrator, a first for the group.52

The Environmental Defense Fund has fought against Trump’s EPA action that sought to rollback environmentalist prerogatives.53 The Environmental Defense Fund opposed “efforts to eliminate other climate rules and programs” and has pushed for stricter carbon regulations.54

The Environmental Defense Fund has also worked to continue President Obama’s environmentalist agenda in the face of President Trump’s attempts to roll much of it back. As of April 2018, the EDF is a party in the current lawsuit that is trying to save the Clean Power Plan.55 56

The Environmental Defense Fund also blasted Trump’s decision to approve the Keystone Pipeline and called on the courts to block his action.57

Lobbying

In 2016, the Environmental Defense Fund was “deeply engaged in lobbying” for multiple federal bills that expand the scope of the federal bureaucracy including:

  1. The passage of the Lautenberg Chemicals Safety Act, which gives the EPA wide-ranging authority and means to potentially ban ingredients used in everyday products such as shampoo, carpets, flooring, clothing and bedding.58 59
  2. The reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which allowed for expanded fishing limitations in areas that are not proven to be an essential fish habitat.60

Additionally, the EDF has lobbied state legislatures in California, Ohio, and Pennsylvania on legislation regarding pollution and carbon emissions.61 These bills were intended to implement the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan in Pennsylvania,62 expand renewable energy mandates in Ohio,63 and cause a “sharp” reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in California.64

Environmentalist Coalitions

Environmental Defense Fund has often partner with other environmental groups to advance their environmental agenda. In 2011, the group partnered with the National Wildlife Federation and the National Audubon Society to increase funding for wetland protections.65 In 2012, they teamed with the Nature Conservancy, the Public Lands Council and other environmentalist groups to support the Farm Bill.66

Environmental Defense Action Fund

Also see Environmental Defense Action Fund (Nonprofit)

The Environmental Defense Action Fund (EDAF) is the EDF’s 501(c)(4) advocacy affiliate and operates as “the lobbying arm of the Environmental Defense Fund.”67 The EDAF is described by the Environmental Defense Fund as its “Political Action Partner and Affiliated 501(c)(4) Organization of EDF.”68

EDAF Lobbying

In 2016, the Environmental Defense Fund gave $1.2 million to the EDAF to “provide general support and for the educational lobbying activities of EDAF…in furtherance of (EDAF’s) mission.”69

The EDAF has spent a total of $5.25 million on lobbying since 2014.70 71

During the 2016 election cycle, the EDAF spent a total $4.29 million on independent expenditures, with over $3.7 million, (82%) supporting Democrats or opposing Republicans, and only $781,000 (18%) in support of Republicans.72

In 2017, the EDAF spent $1 million to oppose Scott Pruitt’s nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency.73

Campaign Contributions

Since 1990, 86.7 percent of campaign contributions from employees of the Environmental Defense Fund have gone to Democratic candidates and organizations, while only 9.5 percent have gone to Republican candidates.74

The largest aggregate donations from EDF employees were given to Democrats Hillary Clinton ($38,402), Katie McGinty ($17,165), and Chis Van Hollen ($6,750), or 66.1 percent of total contributions given out by EDF employees during the 2016 campaign cycle.75

The top Republican candidate who received EDF employee donations was former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), who only received $5,000.76

Finances

The EDF originated as a nonprofit organization with less than a $3 million operating budget.77 Currently, Environmental Defense Fund is one the world’s largest environmental organizations, ranking with the likes of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club Foundation, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund).78 At the end of fiscal year 2016, Environmental Defense Fund’s net assets stood at $209 million.79

Over recent years the Environmental Defense Fund’s budgets have grown rapidly, in 2016, the Environmental Defense Fund’s revenues increased by 13.5 percent year over year from fiscal year 2015.80

2015 $ 2016 $ Chg. Amt. $ Chg. Amt. % 15-16
Total Revenue 138,533,291 157,295,165 18,761,874 13.54%

 

Meanwhile between fiscal year 2014, and fiscal year 2016 Environmental Defense Fund’s operating expenses grew by a total 22 percent from $126 million to $154 million.81

2014 $ 2015 $ 2016 $ Chg. Amt. $ Chg. Amt. % 15-16
Total Expenses 126,763,063 136,266,561 154,449,683 18,183,122 21.84%
Net Assets 203,950,105 204,077,421 208,689,132 4,611,711 2.26

 

Funding

The Environmental Defense Fund uses “a sprawling network of private donors, foundations, utilities, fossil fuel companies and others” to fund its projects.82

Environmental Defense Fund has received grants from at least 30 organizations,83 which include many liberal donor foundations:

Additionally, the Environmental Defense Fund took $14,256,453 in government grants during fiscal year 2016. This was a massive 700 percent increase from the prior year 2015 when the group received $2,694,319 in government grants.89

Environmental Defense Fund claims that their work is independent from the priorities of its funders;90 however, the Environmental Defense Fund has often been criticized by more radical environmentalist groups for authoring research that aids its funders that allows companies to “greenwash” their activities under the Environmental Defense Fund’s environmentalist banner.91 For instance, one article blasted carbon-trading markets, which Environmental Defense Fund fervently supports’ as “pay to pollute” programs.92

Between 2019 and 2020, the Environmental Defense Fund received $2.5 million from left-of-center LLC Arnold Ventures in order to support its “methane emissions measurement project.” 93

Hidden Ties to Wal-Mart

In 2010 the Walton family, the principal owners of Wal-Mart, gave the EDF $71.8 million.94  Additionally during year’s 2011 and 2012, Walton “supplied about one-eighth of the organization’s roughly $100 million annual budget.”95 Sam Walton, Wal-Mart’s founder, sits on the EDF’s board of trustees.96

EDF’s acceptance of Wal-Mart funding has been criticized for giving Wal-Mart an “an instant veneer of green credibility.”97 Other critics say that Environmental Defense Fund “greenwashes” Wal-Mart’s impact on the environment and natural resources.98

Similarly, the New York Times wrote an article lauding the alliance between EDF and Wal-Mart, arguing the EDF “does not accept contributions from Wal-Mart or other corporations it works with.” The Times was later forced to issue a correction disclosing the large amount of money that the Environmental Defense Fund receives from the Walton Family.99

People

Environmental Defense Fund has a leadership team that consists of 25 individuals, including 13 vice presidents for each major area of advocacy.100

Fredrick Krupp has served as Environmental Defense Fund’s president since 1984.101 Prior to his work at EDF, he served as founder and general counsel for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment (1978–1984).102 Since taking over as president over three decades ago, Krupp has expanded EDF into a large influential environmental group by increasing budget by over $157 million and staff by over 600.103

Diane Regas has been with Environmental Defense Fund as the executive director since 2006 after spending 20 years as a civil servant in the Environmental Protection Agency.104

References

  1. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Part I.
  2. “Our offices.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/our-offices.
  3. “How we work.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/how-we-work.
  4. “Blue Print 2020.” EDF. 2014. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/strategicplan_blueprint2020_interactive.pdf
  5. “Blue Print 2020.” EDF. 2014. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/strategicplan_blueprint2020_interactive.pdf
  6. “Ready to defend Obama’s environmental legacy? Top 10 accomplishments to focus on.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/01/12/ready-defend-obamas-environmental-legacy-top-10-accomplishments-focus.
  7. “Trump Decision to Approve the Keystone Pipeline.” Environmental Defense Fund. March 24, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/media/trump-decision-approve-keystone-pipeline-wrong-merits.
  8. “Don’t Give Up: Stand Against Trump’s Climate Attacks.” Environmental Defense Fund. Undated. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&id=2852&page=UserAction&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=edf_content-share_upd_mem&utm_medium=referral&utm_id=1478728172&utm_content=alert-short
  9. “Support the Environmental Defense Action Fund with a donation today! – Donate Today – Support Environmental Defense Action Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=6C1EBB6E854603F0F4409028C9B5D89B.app322b?13040.donation=form1&df_id=13040&utm_campaign=main&utm_source=googleplus&utm_medium=social-media.
  10. Brooks, Susanne. “Ensuring Environmental Outcomes from a Carbon Tax.” Market Forces. December 08, 2016. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://blogs.edf.org/markets/2016/11/03/ensuring-environmental-outcomes-from-a-carbon-tax/?_ga=1.171119456.1719400935.1486401781.
  11. “Trump Decision to Approve the Keystone Pipeline.” Environmental Defense Fund. March 24, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/media/trump-decision-approve-keystone-pipeline-wrong-merits.
  12. “Joyce Foundation Awards $10 million in Grants.” The Joyce Foundation. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.joycefdn.org/news/joyce-foundation-awards-10-million-in-grants.
  13. Hauter, Wenonah. “Even Environmental Groups Can Greenwash.” The Huffington Post. March 27, 2013. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wenonah-hauter/even-environmental-groups_b_2965751.html.
  14. “Support the Environmental Defense Action Fund with a donation today! – Donate Today – Support Environmental Defense Action Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=6C1EBB6E854603F0F4409028C9B5D89B.app322b?13040.donation=form1&df_id=13040&utm_campaign=main&utm_source=googleplus&utm_medium=social-media.
  15. “Environmental Defense Action Fund: Lobbying.” OpenSecrets.org. September 17, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000033473.
  16. Stony Brook University Special Collections & Archives. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/collections/manuscripts/ed/historical.html.
  17.   “DDT wars and the birth of EDF.” EDF. 2015. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/specialreport_summer2015.pdf.
  18.   “DDT wars and the birth of EDF.” EDF. 2015. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/specialreport_summer2015.pdf.
  19. “Memories And More.” The New York Times. December 29, 2001. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/30/nyregion/memories-and-more.html.
  20.   “DDT wars and the birth of EDF.” EDF. 2015. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/specialreport_summer2015.pdf.
  21. Stony Brook University Special Collections & Archives. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/collections/manuscripts/ed/historical.html.
  22. “Our offices.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/our-offices.
  23. Stony Brook University Special Collections & Archives. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/collections/manuscripts/ed/historical.html.
  24. Stony Brook University Special Collections & Archives. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/collections/manuscripts/ed/historical.html.
  25. “How we work.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/how-we-work.
  26. “Https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/fy16_audited_financial_statements.pdf .” EDF. September 30, 2016. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/fy16_audited_financial_statements.pdf.
  27. “Environmental Defense Fund: What We Do.” Environmental Defense Fund. Undated. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/climate/getting-laws-right
  28. “How we work.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/how-we-work.
  29. “The inside story of a bipartisan environmental law.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/health/inside-story-bipartisan-environmental-law.
  30. “Doubling down on carbon pricing.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/climate/doubling-down-carbon-pricing.
  31. “What Is It?” Carbon Pricing Leadership. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.carbonpricingleadership.org/what/.
  32. “Blue Print 2020.” EDF. 2014. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/strategicplan_blueprint2020_interactive.pdf
  33. “Blue Print 2020.” EDF. 2014. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/strategicplan_blueprint2020_interactive.pdf
  34. “Blue Print 2020.” EDF. 2014. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/strategicplan_blueprint2020_interactive.pdf
  35. “Blue Print 2020.” EDF. 2014. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/strategicplan_blueprint2020_interactive.pdf
  36. “Nuclear explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed August 16, 2021. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/us-nuclear-industry.php
  37. “ The Science of Sustainability.” The Nature Conservancy. October 13, 2018. Accessed August 16, 2021. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/the-science-of-sustainability/
  38. Christian, Rory. “New York Gets Closer to a Clean Energy Future with New Environmental Commitments.” Environmental Defense Fund. January 10, 2017. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.edf.org/media/new-york-gets-closer-clean-energy-future-new-environmental-commitments
  39. Kairam, Jayant. “California’s Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant to be Replaced with Renewable Energy.” Environmental Defense Fund. June 21, 2016. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.edf.org/media/californias-diablo-canyon-nuclear-plant-be-replaced-renewable-energy
  40. “EDF.” Environmental Progress. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://environmentalprogress.org/edf
  41. “Ready to defend Obama’s environmental legacy? Top 10 accomplishments to focus on.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/01/12/ready-defend-obamas-environmental-legacy-top-10-accomplishments-focus.
  42. Samuelsohn, Darren. “W.H. hires environmental economist.” Politico. January 3, 2011. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.politico.com/story/2011/01/wh-hires-environmental-economist-046973
  43. “Environmental Defense Fund Praises Obama Administration.” Environmental Defense Fund. March 18, 2009. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/news/environmental-defense-fund-praises-obama-administration.
  44. “EDF strongly endorses President Obama’s clean energy move.” Environmental Defense Fund. December 05, 2013. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/media/edf-strongly-endorses-president-obamas-clean-energy-move.
  45. “Ready to defend Obama’s environmental legacy? Top 10 accomplishments to focus on.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/01/12/ready-defend-obamas-environmental-legacy-top-10-accomplishments-focus.
  46. “Ready to defend Obama’s environmental legacy? Top 10 accomplishments to focus on.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/01/12/ready-defend-obamas-environmental-legacy-top-10-accomplishments-focus.
  47. Graves, Lucia. “Keystone XL Pipeline Obama’s ‘Biggest Climate Test,’ Green Groups Say.” The Huffington Post. August 24, 2011. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/24/lead-environmental-organizations-endorse-tar-sands-protests_n_935312.html.
  48. Labbott, Elise and Berman, Dan. “Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline.” CNN Politics. November 6, 2015. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/06/politics/keystone-xl-pipeline-decision-rejection-kerry/index.html
  49. “Trump’s first two weeks on the environment: The Bad, the Good and the Ugly.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/blog/2017/02/03/trumps-first-two-weeks-environment-bad-good-and-ugly.
  50. “Don’t Give Up: Stand Against Trump’s Climate Attacks.” Environmental Defense Fund. Undated. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&id=2852&page=UserAction&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=edf_content-share_upd_mem&utm_medium=referral&utm_id=1478728172&utm_content=alert-short
  51. “Support the Environmental Defense Action Fund with a donation today! – Donate Today – Support Environmental Defense Action Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=6C1EBB6E854603F0F4409028C9B5D89B.app322b?13040.donation=form1&df_id=13040&utm_campaign=main&utm_source=googleplus&utm_medium=social-media.
  52. Restuccia, Andrew. “Trump’s green assault off to fast start.” POLITICO. March 02, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/trump-epa-environmntal-regulations-235596.
  53. “This speaks volumes: Industry rushes in to defend EPA’s new TSCA regulations.” EDF Health. September 14, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://blogs.edf.org/health/2017/09/12/this-speaks-volumes-industry-rushes-in-to-defend-epas-new-tsca-regulations/.
  54. Brooks, Susanne. “Ensuring Environmental Outcomes from a Carbon Tax.” Market Forces. December 08, 2016. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://blogs.edf.org/markets/2016/11/03/ensuring-environmental-outcomes-from-a-carbon-tax/?_ga=1.171119456.1719400935.1486401781.
  55. “Clean Power Plan case resources.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/climate/clean-power-plan-case-resources.
  56. Milman, Oliver. “The Court Case That Will Decide Obama’s Climate Legacy.” Wired. June 03, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.wired.com/2016/09/court-case-will-decide-obamas-climate-legacy/.
  57. “Trump Decision to Approve the Keystone Pipeline.” Environmental Defense Fund. March 24, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/media/trump-decision-approve-keystone-pipeline-wrong-merits.
  58. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Schedule C Part IV.
  59. Grady, Barbara. “What the new Chemical Safety law means for business.” GreenBiz. June 22, 2016. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.greenbiz.com/article/what-new-chemical-safety-law-means-business.
  60. “Oceanography and Marine Biology.” Google Books. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://books.google.com/books?id=rEjNBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=%22magnus%2Bstevenson%2Bact%22&source=bl&ots=783ps29K8A&sig=sbEN-W0E3dGHcz6Z3fRj0DgYYIw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi35KSx_rbWAhXFhFQKHZ2jAhQQ6AEIKjAB#v=onepage&q=%22magnus%20stevenson%20act%22&f=false.
  61. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Schedule C Part IV.
  62. Center, Legislative Data Processing. “Bill Information – Senate Bill 1195; Regular Session 2015-2016.” The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 2016. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1195.
  63. “Senate Bill 320.” Senate Bill 320 – Summary | The Ohio Legislature. 2016. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA131-SB-320.
  64. Board, California Air Resources. “Assembly Bill 32 Overview.” California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board. 2016. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/ab32/ab32.htm.
  65. Tangley, Laura. “Gulf Coast Revival?” National Wildlife Federation. March 15, 2011. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Animals/Archives/2011/Gulf-Coast-Revival-After-Oil-Spill.aspx
  66. “Coalition of agriculture and conservation groups call for passage of Farm Bill this year which serves the West.” Environmental Defense Fund. February 29, 2012. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.edf.org/news/coalition-agriculture-and-conservation-groups-call-passage-farm-bill-year-which-serves-west
  67. “Support the Environmental Defense Action Fund with a donation today! – Donate Today – Support Environmental Defense Action Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=6C1EBB6E854603F0F4409028C9B5D89B.app322b?13040.donation=form1&df_id=13040&utm_campaign=main&utm_source=googleplus&utm_medium=social-media.
  68. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Part I.
  69. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Part I.
  70. “Support the Environmental Defense Action Fund with a donation today! – Donate Today – Support Environmental Defense Action Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://secure2.edf.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=6C1EBB6E854603F0F4409028C9B5D89B.app322b?13040.donation=form1&df_id=13040&utm_campaign=main&utm_source=googleplus&utm_medium=social-media.
  71. “Environmental Defense Action Fund: Lobbying.” OpenSecrets.org. September 17, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000033473.
  72. “Environmental Defense Action Fund.” OpenSecrets.org. September 17, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=C90014895&cycle=2016.
  73. Meyer, Theodoeric. “New players in border-adjustment tax fight.” POLITICO. February 02, 2017. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/politico-influence/2017/02/new-players-in-border-adjustment-tax-fight-218548.
  74. Center for Responsive Politics. “Environmental Defense Fund.” Opensecrets.org. May 16, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000033473&cycle=2016
  75. Center for Responsive Politics. “Environmental Defense Fund.” Opensecrets.org. May 16, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000033473&cycle=2016
  76. Center for Responsive Politics. “Environmental Defense Fund.” Opensecrets.org. May 16, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000033473&chamber=&party=&cycle=2016&state=&sort=A
  77. “Fred Krupp.” Environmental Defense Fund. September 05, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/people/fred-krupp.
  78. “The 200 Largest U.S. Charities List: Environment/Animal.” Forbes. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/14/200-largest-us-charities-11_rank-environment-animal.html.
  79. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Part I.
  80. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Part I.
  81. Environmental Defense Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2016, Part I.
  82. Bagley, Katherine, and Lisa Song. “EDF Recruits Sprawling Network to Fund Methane Leaks Research.” Inside Climate News. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/07042015/edf-recruits-sprawling-network-fund-methane-leaks-research-climate-change-natural-gas-fracking.
  83. Discover the Networks. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp?grpid=6940.
  84. “Environmental Defense Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund | The Bauman Foundation. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.baumanfoundation.org/grantee/67.
  85. “Meet Teresa’s Wealthy Friends: The Heinz Foundations and the Kerry Campaign.” Human Events. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://humanevents.com/2004/04/13/meet-teresas-wealthy-friends-the-heinz-foundations-and-the-kerry-campaign/.
  86. “Environmental Defense Fund – MacArthur Foundation.” RSS. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.macfound.org/grantees/284/.
  87. “Joyce Foundation Awards $10 million in Grants.” The Joyce Foundation. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.joycefdn.org/news/joyce-foundation-awards-10-million-in-grants.
  88. “Walton Family Foundation Invests $71.8 Million in Environmental Initiatives in 2010.” Walton Family Foundation. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/newsroom/walton-family-foundation-invests-71-8-million–in-environmental-initiatives-in-2010.
  89. “Https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/fy16_audited_financial_statements.pdf .” EDF. September 30, 2016. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/fy16_audited_financial_statements.pdf.
  90. “Corporate donation policy.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/approach/partnerships/corporate-donation-policy.
  91. Hauter, Wenonah. “Even Environmental Groups Can Greenwash.” The Huffington Post. March 27, 2013. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wenonah-hauter/even-environmental-groups_b_2965751.html.
  92. Hauter, Wenonah. “Even Environmental Groups Can Greenwash.” The Huffington Post. March 27, 2013. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wenonah-hauter/even-environmental-groups_b_2965751.html.
  93. ““Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated.” Arnold Foundation. Accessed February 15, 2021. https://www.arnoldventures.org/grants/environmental-defense-fund-incorporated.
  94. “Walton Family Foundation Invests $71.8 Million in Environmental Initiatives in 2010.” Walton Family Foundation. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/newsroom/walton-family-foundation-invests-71-8-million–in-environmental-initiatives-in-2010.
  95. Armstrong, Gin. “Environmental Defense Fund greenwashing: Walmart edition.” Eyes on the Ties. November 07, 2013. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://news.littlesis.org/2013/11/07/spincycle-environmental-defense-fund-caught-green-washing-again/.
  96. “NYT Obscures Wal-Mart, EDF Link.” Columbia Journalism Review. Accessed September 21, 2017. http://archives.cjr.org/the_observatory/nyt_obscures_wal-mart_edf_link.php.
  97. Mitchell, Stacy. “EDF sells green cred to Walmart for the low, low price of $66 million.” Grist. November 07, 2013. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://grist.org/business-technology/edf-sells-green-cred-to-walmart-for-the-low-low-price-of-66-million/.
  98. CorpWatch : Greenwashing Walmart. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=15707.
  99. Mitchell, Stacy. “EDF sells green cred to Walmart for the low, low price of $66 million.” Grist. November 07, 2013. Accessed September 22, 2017. http://grist.org/business-technology/edf-sells-green-cred-to-walmart-for-the-low-low-price-of-66-million/.
  100. “Our leadership team.” Environmental Defense Fund. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/our-leadership-team.
  101. “Fred Krupp.” Environmental Defense Fund. September 05, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/people/fred-krupp.
  102. “BIOGRAPHIES FOR APPOINTMENTS TO NYS 2100.” Accessed September 21, 2017. http://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/archive/assets/documents/NYS2100Biographies.pdf
  103. “Fred Krupp.” Environmental Defense Fund. September 05, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/people/fred-krupp.
  104. “Diane Regas.” Environmental Defense Fund. May 25, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2017. https://www.edf.org/people/diane-regas.

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Kathryn Murdoch
    Board Member
  2. Robert Litterman
    Economic Advisory Council Member
  3. Mark Heising
    Board Member
  4. Ann Doerr
    Board Member
  5. Fredd Krupp
    President
  6. Elena Craft
    Senior Director of Climate and Health
  7. Leslie Dach
    Former Science Associate (1976-1979)
  8. Arlie Schardt
    Former Executive Director

Donor Organizations

  1. Abell Foundation (Non-profit)
  2. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Non-profit)
  3. Anne Cox Chambers Foundation (Non-profit)
  4. Arnold Ventures (For-profit)
  5. Barr Foundation (Non-profit)
  6. Bauman Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  7. Benificus Foundation (Non-profit)
  8. Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust (Non-profit)
  9. Bloomberg Family Foundation (Bloomberg Philanthropies) (Non-profit)
  10. Blue Moon Fund (Cassiopeia Foundation) (Non-profit)
  11. Bobolink Foundation (Non-profit)
  12. Brightwater Fund (Non-profit)
  13. Cedar Tree Foundation (Non-profit)
  14. Christopher Reynolds Foundation (Non-profit)
  15. Craigslist Charitable Fund (Non-profit)
  16. Crankstart Foundation (Non-profit)
  17. Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation (Non-profit)
  18. David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Non-profit)
  19. Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (Non-profit)
  20. Druckenmiller Foundation (Non-profit)
  21. Educational Foundation of America (EFA) (Non-profit)
  22. Elizabeth B. and Arthur E. Roswell Foundation (Non-profit)
  23. Energy Foundation (Non-profit)
  24. Falconwood Foundation (Non-profit)
  25. Flora Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  26. Foundation for the Carolinas (FFTC) (Non-profit)
  27. Georgetown University (Non-profit)
  28. Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment (Non-profit)
  29. Heinz Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  30. Heising-Simons Foundation (Non-profit)
  31. High Tide Foundation (Non-profit)
  32. Hopewell Fund (Non-profit)
  33. Houston Endowment (Non-profit)
  34. John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (Non-profit)
  35. Joyce Foundation (Non-profit)
  36. Kohlberg Foundation (Non-profit)
  37. Lewis Foundation (Non-profit)
  38. Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund (Non-profit)
  39. Marie-Josee and Henry R. Kravis Foundation (Non-profit)
  40. Marty & Dorothy Silverman Foundation (Non-profit)
  41. Max and Anna Levinson Foundation (Non-profit)
  42. Merck Family Fund (Non-profit)
  43. MWC Foundation (Non-profit)
  44. National Wildlife Federation (Non-profit)
  45. Newman’s Own Foundation (Non-profit)
  46. NextGen Climate Action (Non-profit)
  47. Padosi Foundation (Non-profit)
  48. Partnership Project (Non-profit)
  49. Passport Foundation (Non-profit)
  50. Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (Non-profit)
  51. Pew Charitable Trusts (Non-profit)
  52. Pisces Foundation (Non-profit)
  53. Ploughshares Fund (Non-profit)
  54. Quadrivium Foundation (Non-profit)
  55. Robertson Foundation (Non-profit)
  56. Rockefeller Brothers Fund (Non-profit)
  57. Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  58. S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation (Non-profit)
  59. San Francisco Foundation (Non-profit)
  60. Sea Change Foundation (Non-profit)
  61. Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) (Non-profit)
  62. Sixteen Thirty Fund (1630 Fund) (Non-profit)
  63. Skoll Fund (Non-profit)
  64. Skoll Global Threats Fund (Non-profit)
  65. Tiffany & Co. Foundation (Non-profit)
  66. Turner Foundation (Non-profit)
  67. Walton Family Foundation (Non-profit)
  68. William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation (Non-profit)
  69. Windward Fund (Non-profit)
  70. Yellow Chair Foundation (Non-profit)

Donation Recipients

  1. Alliance for Climate Education (Non-profit)
  2. American Lung Association (Non-profit)
  3. American Security Project (Non-profit)
  4. Aubin Pictures (Non-profit)
  5. California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (Non-profit)
  6. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) (Non-profit)
  7. Center for Civic Policy (Non-profit)
  8. Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) (Non-profit)
  9. Ceres (Non-profit)
  10. Civic Nation (Non-profit)
  11. Clean Air Task Force (Non-profit)
  12. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Labor Union)
  13. Colorado Civic Engagement Roundtable (Non-profit)
  14. Conservation Colorado (Non-profit)
  15. Conservation International (Non-profit)
  16. Earthworks (Non-profit)
  17. Environment America Research and Policy Center (Non-profit)
  18. Environment Texas Research and Policy Center (Non-profit)
  19. Environmental Defense Action Fund (Non-profit)
  20. Environmental Integrity Project (Non-profit)
  21. Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest (Non-profit)
  22. Environmental Working Group (EWG) (Non-profit)
  23. Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) (Non-profit)
  24. Global Partnerships for Oceans (Other Group)
  25. Gulf of Maine Research Institute (Non-profit)
  26. Hip Hop Caucus (Non-profit)
  27. Hispanic Federation (Non-profit)
  28. Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (Non-profit)
  29. James Beard Foundation (Non-profit)
  30. Mi Familia Vota Education Fund (Non-profit)
  31. National Audubon Society (Non-profit)
  32. National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) (Non-profit)
  33. National Wildlife Federation (Non-profit)
  34. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (Non-profit)
  35. New Venture Fund (NVF) (Non-profit)
  36. North Carolina Conservation Network (Non-profit)
  37. NYC Environmental Justice Alliance (Non-profit)
  38. Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) (Non-profit)
  39. Oregon Environmental Council (Non-profit)
  40. Partnership Project (Non-profit)
  41. PennFuture (Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future) (Non-profit)
  42. Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) (Non-profit)
  43. Physicians for Social Responsibility (Non-profit)
  44. Priorities USA Action (Non-profit)
  45. Public Citizen Foundation (Non-profit)
  46. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Non-profit)
  47. Regeneration Project (Non-profit)
  48. Resources for the Future (RFF) (Non-profit)
  49. Resources Legacy Fund (Non-profit)
  50. Rocky Mountain Institute (Non-profit)
  51. Tides Foundation (Non-profit)
  52. Trust for Conservation Innovation (For-profit)
  53. Virginia Organizing (Non-profit)
  54. Voto Latino (Non-profit)
  55. West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT for Environmental Justice) (Non-profit)
  56. Western Environmental Law Center (Non-profit)
  57. Western Resource Advocates (Non-profit)
  58. Woods Hole Research Center (Non-profit)
  59. Young Invincibles (Non-profit)
  See an error? Let us know!

Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: September - August
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 1969

  • 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
    2021 Sep Form 990 $365,118,097 $216,037,687 $437,217,657 $72,756,573 N $358,400,390 $0 $2,388,747 $3,411,809
    2020 Sep Form 990 $200,629,015 $195,818,907 $267,858,763 $54,463,720 N $195,256,867 $0 $1,436,048 $2,691,721
    2019 Sep Form 990 $185,639,721 $188,642,920 $280,913,957 $72,756,582 N $181,701,428 $0 $1,997,423 $2,174,898 PDF
    2018 Sep Form 990 $210,596,240 $183,610,231 $245,361,470 $33,385,261 Y $207,828,937 $0 $1,334,695 $1,598,488 PDF
    2017 Sep Form 990 $146,650,894 $171,540,690 $221,119,624 $36,055,740 N $144,334,196 $0 $803,427 $1,325,423 PDF
    2016 Sep Form 990 $157,295,165 $154,449,683 $242,274,499 $33,585,367 N $156,568,084 $0 $1,065,925 $1,344,764 PDF
    2015 Sep Form 990 $138,533,291 $136,266,561 $225,204,064 $21,126,642 N $135,480,611 $0 $1,077,567 $1,314,397 PDF
    2014 Sep Form 990 $147,163,910 $126,763,063 $224,847,024 $20,896,919 N $140,115,942 $0 $782,631 $1,323,996 PDF
    2013 Sep Form 990 $149,720,163 $115,531,971 $208,751,208 $22,049,869 Y $145,135,042 $0 $1,054,786 $1,235,525 PDF
    2012 Sep Form 990 $111,915,138 $102,031,443 $173,139,307 $21,270,071 Y $110,051,773 $0 $1,118,951 $1,173,233 PDF
    2011 Sep Form 990 $96,358,261 $88,540,355 $153,964,992 $16,930,820 Y $94,076,678 $0 $1,031,816 $1,061,387 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

    257 PARK AVENUE SOUTH
    NEW YORK, NY 10010-7304