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Non-profit

Environmental Law Institute (ELI)

This is a logo for Environmental Law Institute. (link)
Website:

www.eli.org/
Location:

WASHINGTON, DC
Tax ID:

52-0901863
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $6,530,655
Expenses: $6,332,792
Assets: $10,167,217
Type:

Environmental Activist Organization
Formation:

1969
President:

Jordan Diamond
2021 Budget Information:

2021 Annual Report

Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is a left-of-center environmentalist legal advocacy organization. ELI runs a judicial education program to teach judges left-of-center climate policy 1 and an environmental justice initiative to teach the far-left concept of “environmental justice.” 2 The organization also supports the critical race theory-influenced concept of racial justice. 3

In 2021, ELI received foundation and corporate support from William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Oak Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, 4 the Walton Family Foundation, and others. 5 In 2020, ELI received $500,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for its Climate Judiciary Project. 6

Between 1991 and 2016, the Environmental Law Institute received 16 grants totaling $3,977,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 7

History and Leadership

Environmental Law Institute was founded in 1969 at a national conference on environmental law that was held in Virginia. Later that year, ELI was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. ELI co-sponsored its first education program in 1970 and began publishing The Environmental Law Reporter in 1971. 8

Jordan Diamond is the president of the Environmental Law Institute. 9 Prior to joining ELI in January 2022, Diamond held various positions at the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment. 10 11

Activities and Funding

Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an environmentalist and climate advocacy organization that advocates for left-of-center policy outcomes and operates a judicial education program to teach judges left-of-center climate policy. 12

ELI’s develops law and policy, advocates environmentalist policy outcomes to professionals and the public, provides data and analysis, and convenes various groups to address environmental issues. 13

The institute supports the creation of regulatory rules to address the critical race theory-influenced concept of racial justice, 14 operates the Climate Equity for Local Governments initiative that supports the far-left concept of environmental justice, 15 publishes The Environmental Law Reporter, operates an Emerging Leaders Initiative, 16 runs a podcast, 17 and seeks to influence global environmental law and governance practices. 18

ELI operates the Climate Judiciary Project 19 and has provided training and resources to more than 3,000 judges in 28 countries on climate-related issues. 20 ELI also runs the Environmental Justice Initiative. 21 The initiative’s reading list includes books written by far-left activist Saul Alinsky, titles on “principles for environmental justice,” materials on democratic organizing, and an “equitable and just” national climate platform. 22

In 2021, ELI’s activities took place across 64 jurisdictions in across the United States, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. 23 The organization also runs monthly climate change-related briefings for its members 24 and operates the Jim Rubin International Fellowship and the Environmental Justice Clerkship. 25

Partner Organizations

Environmental Law Institute has various partner and member organizations. Its interest members include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Earthjustice, EarthX, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Ocean Conservancy, Southern Environmental Law Center, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Center for Progressive Reform, The Conservation Fund, Conservation Law Foundation, Eastern Environmental Law Center, Environmental Integrity Project, Midwest Environmental Advocates, National Whistleblower Center, New Mexico Environmental Law Center, Oceana, Sierra Club, South Carolina Environmental Law Protect, Upstate Forever, and the Watershed Institute. 26

ELI also has a corporate partnership with American technology firm IBM Corporation. ELI’s corporate associates and members include the Coca-Cola Company, DuPont, Lockheed Martin, Pfizer, Amazon, General Electric, PepsiCo, Walmart, and others. 27

The organization also has professional partnerships with various law firms. 28 Individuals from other organizations including Ballard Spahr LLP, Beveridge & Diamond PC, Southern Environmental Law Center, Howard Law School, Holland and Knight, Wiley Rein LLP, and Covington & Burling LLP. 29

Funding

Environmental Law Institute is funded by contributions and grants 30 31 from individuals, foundations, government, corporations, law firms, and other sources. In 2021, ELI reported revenue of $7,366,028 and expenses of $7,487,715. 32

In 2021, the ELI received foundation and corporate support from Atticus Trust, Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Fund, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, IBM Corporation, Internet Society Foundation, JPB Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Koch Industries, Leaves of Grass Fund, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, MSB Cockayne Fund, New York Community Trust, Oak Foundation, Pegasus Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Shark Conservation Fund, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, 33 Swedish Postcode Foundation, Nelson S. Talbott Foundation, Tinker Foundation, Waitt Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation. 34

In 2021, ELI received grants of $300,000 from the Walton Family Foundation 35 and $50,000 from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. 36 In 2020, ELI received a $500,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for the Climate Judiciary Project, 37 $26,000 from the Natural Resources Defense Council, 38 and $15,254 from EarthShare. 39

In 2019, ELI received grants of $250,000 from the Waitt Foudnation, 40 $145,000 from the Tinker Foundation, 41 $125,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 42 $125,000 from the Linden Trust for Conservation, 43 $100,000 from the McKnight Foundation, 44 $15,000 from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, 45 $10,000 from the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (Southwest Community Foundation), 46 and $7,375 from the left-of-center Perkins Coie Foundation. 47

In 2018, ELI received grants of $550,000 from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation 48 and $20,000 from the left-of-center San Francisco Foundation. 49 ELI also received a $285,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in 2017. 50

Between 1991 and 2016, the Environmental Law Institute received 16 grants totaling $3,977,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 51

ELI also received a $60,000 grant from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation in 2013  52 and a  $300,000 grant from the Ford Foundation in 2000. 53

References

  1.  “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf
  2. “Welcome to the Environmental Justice Initiative at ELI.” Environmental Law institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/environmental-justice.
  3. Goodwin, James. “When the System Fosters Racial Injustice.” The Environmental Forum. May/June 2021. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://cpr-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/regs-racial-justice-goodwin-oped-envforum-050121.pdf.
  4. “Grants.” Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://sloan.org/grant-detail/8461.
  5. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  6. “Environmental Law Institute.” William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. January 21, 2020. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://hewlett.org/grants/environmental-law-institute-for-the-climate-judiciary-project/.
  7.  [1] “Environmental Law Institute.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/environmental-law-institute-8280/.
  8. “History of the Environmental Law Institute.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/history-environmental-law-institute.
  9. “ELI Staff.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/staff.
  10. “Jordan Diamond.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/bios/jordan-diamond.
  11. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  12. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  13. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  14. Goodwin, James. “When the System Fosters Racial Injustice.” The Environmental Forum. May/June 2021. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://cpr-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/regs-racial-justice-goodwin-oped-envforum-050121.pdf.
  15. “ELI Announces Climate Equity for Local Governments Initiative.” Environmental Law Institute. May 2022. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/news/eli-announces-climate-equity-local-governments-initiative.
  16. “Emerging Leaders Initiative.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.eli.org/emerging-leaders-initiative.
  17. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf
  18. “About the Environmental Law Institute.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/about-environmental-law-institute.
  19. “Climate Judiciary Project.” Environmental Law institute. Accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.eli.org/climate-judiciary-project.
  20. “Training.” Environmental Law institute. Accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.eli.org/judicial-education/training.
  21. “Welcome to the Environmental Justice Initiative at ELI.” Environmental Law institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/environmental-justice.
  22. “Environmental Justice Reading List.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-reading-list.
  23. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  24. “All Events.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.eli.org/events-calendar.
  25. “Donate.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=13.
  26. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf
  27.  “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  28. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  29. “Our Supporters.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/our-supporters.
  30. “Donate.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=13.
  31. “Ways to Donate.” Environmental Law Institute. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.eli.org/ways-donate.
  32. “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  33. “Grants.” Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://sloan.org/grant-detail/8461.
  34.  “2021 Annual Report.” Environmental Law Institute. Pg. 19. https://www.eli.org/sites/default/files/files-pdf/ELI%202021%20Annual%20Report%20web_0.pdf.
  35. “Walton Family Foundation Inc.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2021. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133441466/202223199349107147/IRS990PF.
  36. “The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2021. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/941655673/202233189349104163/IRS990PF.
  37. “Environmental Law Institute.” William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. January 21, 2020. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://hewlett.org/grants/environmental-law-institute-for-the-climate-judiciary-project/.
  38. [1] “Natural Resources Defense Council Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2020. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/132654926/202231249349302368/IRS990ScheduleI.
  39. “Earthshare.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2020. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521601960/202240859349300109/IRS990ScheduleI.
  40. “Waitt Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/460428166/202023219349107222/full.
  41. “The Tinker Foundation Inc.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2018. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510175449/201933049349100038/full.
  42. “John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation Consolidated.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237093598/202023179349103467/IRS990PF.
  43. “Linden Trust for Conservation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133748063/202013149349101101/IRS990PF.
  44. “The McKnight Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2019. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/410754835/202023189349104352/IRS990PF.
  45. “Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133615533/202023189349308117/full.
  46. “Dallas Jewish Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/752836123/202111669349301511/full.
  47. “Perkins Coie Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/204824430/202032889349301308/full.
  48. “Grants.” Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://sloan.org/grant-detail/8461.
  49. “The San Francisco Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/10679337/202011549349301116/full.
  50. “William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/941655673/201823069349100707/IRS990PF.
  51. “Environmental Law Institute.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed July 6, 2023. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/environmental-law-institute-8280/.
  52. “Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2013. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431152398/201443179349301289/full.
  53. “Ford Grant Will Upgrade ELI Brownfields Program.” Environmental Law Institute. February 2000. Accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.eli.org/news/ford-grant-will-upgrade-eli-brownfields-program.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: May 1, 1970

    • 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
    2020 Dec Form 990 $6,530,655 $6,332,792 $10,167,217 $2,705,026 Y $4,778,864 $1,343,560 $103,693 $445,657 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $5,889,963 $6,328,289 $8,621,540 $1,839,061 Y $4,475,484 $1,066,184 $163,142 $417,613 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $6,321,579 $5,936,661 $8,825,989 $2,165,113 Y $5,130,770 $919,877 $146,442 $403,014 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $5,013,919 $5,604,514 $9,121,036 $2,377,526 Y $3,823,359 $969,119 $109,234 $392,522 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $6,090,630 $4,657,145 $8,993,882 $2,148,656 Y $4,853,959 $935,791 $100,367 $357,333 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $4,940,793 $5,069,707 $7,370,057 $2,143,662 Y $3,727,871 $1,022,606 $115,300 $344,494 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $4,776,177 $5,485,636 $6,763,136 $1,106,656 Y $3,497,580 $1,036,504 $167,534 $337,160 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $5,220,564 $5,583,221 $7,394,947 $1,109,611 Y $4,015,137 $967,604 $168,630 $330,924 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $5,790,911 $5,582,442 $7,223,813 $1,112,101 Y $4,530,083 $980,251 $172,919 $341,832 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $4,900,980 $5,697,147 $6,710,303 $1,140,800 Y $3,585,536 $1,087,696 $150,220 $340,514 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Map image for Environmental Law Institute (ELI)

    Environmental Law Institute (ELI)

    1730 M STREET NW SUITE 700
    WASHINGTON, DC 20036