Non-profit

League of Conservation Voters (LCV)

Website:

www.lcv.org

Location:

WASHINGTON, DC

Tax ID:

52-1733698

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $78,082,041
Expenses: $71,608,762
Assets: $20,456,614

Formation:

1969

President:

Gene Karpinski

Board Chair:

Carol Browner

Latest Tax Filing (See Additional Filings Below):

2019 Form 990

2020 Form 990

2021 Form 990

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a 501(c)(4) organization that promotes candidates supporting the environmentalist agenda. The group has been accused of being a “dark money heavyweight” by the left-leaning Center for Public Integrity. 1 In November 2020 LCV was a signatory on a letter to the U.S. Senate stating that nuclear energy “amplifies and expands the dangers of climate change” (nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions). 2

The LCV also advocates for tougher environmental standards and educates voters on its issues. It was founded in 1969 by environmentalist David Brower and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The LCV also has 34 state affiliates that work on environmental issues on the state and local level.3 The group produces a scorecard called the “National Environmental Scorecard” which scores votes on issues such as clean air, energy, and land use. In 2015, the Senate average score was 45% and the House average was 41%.4

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Victory Fund is the super PAC affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters.

Issues

The League of Conservation Voters advocates for a left-of-center agenda in a number of policy areas.

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. 5  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. 6

The League of Conservation Voters was one of more than 100 co-signatories on a November 2020 letter to the U.S. Senate that expressed opposition to S. 4897, the “American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020.” The letter stated that nuclear power “amplifies and expands the dangers of climate change” and denounced it as an example of “false solutions to the climate crisis that perpetuate our reliance on dirty energy industries.” The letter was signed by Matthew Davis, who was identified as the legislative director for the LCV. 7

Expanded Offshore Drilling in the Arctic

In 2015, Royal Dutch Shell abruptly ceased all drilling operations in the Arctic off of Alaska’s coasts largely due to low oil prices and concerns over a potential Hillary Clinton presidency.8 In November 2016, President Barack Obama closed the Arctic to new oil and gas drilling for five years.910

Oil and Natural Gas Exports

After a 40-year ban, the U.S. began to export oil in 2016, which some energy experts believe has already shifted power away from OPEC and Russia.1112 When the U.S. House of Representatives voted to lift the ban, the LCV released a statement denouncing the “radical leadership” and accusing them of being “more concerned with lining the pockets of Big Oil than standing up for American families.” The LCV went on to call the legislation a “giveaway to polluters” and called for a transition to clean energy.13

Climate Change

The LCV strongly supported the Obama administration’s “Clean Power Plan,” which set national limits of carbon dioxide emissions. The group opposed efforts in Congress to block implementation of the plan.14

The LCV has also been supportive of a carbon tax and opposed efforts to cut funding for climate change research. 15

Dakota Access Pipeline

In 2016, the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and other protesters came out in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil pipeline project in North Dakota. The arguments against the pipeline were often rooted in half-truths and falsehoods concerning both water quality and Native American rights.1617 The LCV declared its support for the tribe, stating, “No community should have to jeopardize their access to clean water, sacrifice their beliefs or their places of cultural and spiritual importance.”18

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

The LCV calls the current voluntary labeling system of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) “inadequate” for telling consumers what is in their food, and has called for laws requiring food manufacturers to label products containing them.19 20 The demand for mandatory labeling comes despite the fact that no evidence has been produced showing that genetically engineered (GE) food was less safe than non-GE food.21 Slate wrote in 2015 that the case against GMOs was full of “errors, fallacies, misconceptions, misrepresentations, and lies.”22

“Clean Energy” Programs

Among the programs the LCV has supported are Victory Bonds for Clean Energy, a proposal which would have required the Secretary of the Treasury to issue $50 billion worth of bonds which would have been used to finance research into wind, solar, and fuel cell technologies.23 The LCV has also supported other programs to give additional funding to clean energy research. The LCV opposes cuts to existing Department of Energy clean energy programs. The support for clean energy programs comes despite the growing body of evidence suggesting that wind and solar are unlikely to be affordable without enormous government subsidies.24

In March 2018, LCV state policy director Bill Holland announced that LCV would begin a $2 million campaign that emphasizes pushing its anti-natural gas and fossil fuels agenda at the state and local levels. The campaign targets individuals running for state and local offices, including incumbent officials up for re-election.25

Federal Land Ownership

The LCV has supported measures to restrict logging in national forests. It has also opposed efforts by Western state lawmakers to rein in the power of the executive branch to designate “national monuments.” The Federal government owns nearly 50% of the land in the West.26 There have been documented problems with the management of federal lands, especially national forests. The 2015 forest fires that burned over 1.4 million acres in the Northwest were a sign to some experts that better management of public lands was needed.27

Supreme Court Nominees

Following Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination by President Trump to the Supreme Court in July 2018, the LCV voiced its opposition to Kavanaugh’s confirmation. “We will fight this every step of the way,” LCV tweeted. 28

Election Activity

2018 Midterm Election

The LCV endorsed Erik Jones in his failed bid for nomination to replace Rodney Davis (R) in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.29

The organization also announced its support for Bill Nelson for a U.S. Senate seat up for election in Florida in 2018, and has launched attacks on Nelson’s opponent, Florida Governor. Rick Scott (R).30

In 2018, the LCV spent $1 million in placing digital advertisements to heavily pressure certain Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives to vote for the reauthorization of a public parks bill.31

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund endorsed Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) for reelection in the 2018 midterm election. 32 The LCV Action Fund also gave Whitehouse’s 2018 reelection committee $139,372. 33 Whitehouse has been criticized for opposing “dark money” (funding for organizations that don’t disclose their donors) while accepting donations from the LCV, which itself has been criticized as a “‘dark money’ heavyweight” by groups on the Left and Right, including the left-leaning Center for Public Integrity. 34

2016 General Election

The LCV are very involved in the political process. In 2016, they endorsed 16 candidates for Senate and 58 candidates for the House. They also endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for President. All of the candidates the LCV endorsed were Democrats.35

On the other end of the spectrum, the LCV has the “dirty dozen” who are candidates that they view as opponents of the environment, “regardless of political affiliation.” In 2016, those candidates were:36

  • Presidential candidate Donald Trump (R)
  • U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn (R-Colorado)
  • U.S. Senate candidate Joe Heck (R-Nevada)
  • U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.)
  • U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
  • U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania)
  • U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin)
  • U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado)
  • U.S. Rep. David Jolly (R-Florida)
  • U.S. House candidate Jason Lewis (R-Minnesota)
  • U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy (R-Nevada)
  • U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas)

Every member of the “dirty dozen” was a Republican.

According to OpenSecrets.org, the LCV spent $15,666,771 in the 2016 elections. Of that amount, $8,299,525 was spent against Republicans and $7,367,246 was spent to help Democrats.37

The two largest single contributions were from Dustin Moskovitz, a co-founder of Facebook and Asana, and his wife Cari Tuna. Both gave the LCV $2.5 million apiece.38

They also received $3 million from Boston investor Robert Grantham in three separate donations, $3 million from the Environment America Action Fund, $500,000 from Bain Capital’s Joshua Bekenstein, and $400,000 from Senate Majority PAC, which has ties to numerous Democratic Senators and operatives.39

The bulk of LCV’s election spending was in support of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. They spent $6,281,871 on her behalf and spent $2,149,901 opposing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.40

The largest single Senate race the LCV was involved in was in the Nevada U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid. They spent $2,149,901 against Republican nominee Joe Heck and $863,696 in favor of Democrat Catherine Cortez-Masto. Masto defeated Heck.41

Other races the LCV spent heavily in were $1,428,036 trying to defeat Senator Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania, $1,091,348 trying to defeat Senator Richard Burr from North Carolina, and $1,057,176 trying to defeat Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin. They also spent $121,554 in support of Wisconsin Democratic Senate candidate Russ Feingold. The LCV lost all three races as well.42

2014 Midterm Election

In the 2014 midterms, the LCV spent $8,987,431 with $3,926,195 spent against Republicans and $2,647,648 spent on behalf of Democrats. The largest expenditures were in the North Carolina U.S. Senate race where they spent $2,620,499 on behalf of Democrat Kay Hagan and $2,434,865 opposing Republican Thom Tillis. Tillis was the victor in the race.43

Robert Grantham was the largest single donor to LCV in 2014, donating $1,650,000. Joshua Bekenstein donated a grand total of $1,000,000 in two separate donations. George Soros and the AFSCME union donated $500,000 apiece. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) donated $200,000. Senate Majority PAC donated $350,000. Next Gen Climate Action, which was founded by Tom Steyer, donated $775,000.44

2012 General Election

In 2012, the LCV was a relatively minor player in the elections. Its biggest expenditure ($1,099,450) was targeted against Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The second and only other expenditure over $500,000 was $755,407 targeting Arizona Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Flake. Flake won his race. The LCV only spent $2,605,809 in the entire election cycle.45

The largest source of revenue for the LCV in 2012 was money moved around from the other organizations in its umbrella. The largest single outside donor that year was Scott Nathan who gave $150,000.46

Federal Judicial Confirmations

The LCV on January 31, 2019 stated its opposition to the confirmation of Neomi Rao, President Trump’s nominee for a seat on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. In a letter released by the group, it accuses Rao of demeaning the integrity of the court. A report that the LCV created questions Rao’s objectivity because “conservative judges view [the environment and public health] under the narrow lens of corporate profits, and are unable or uninterested in fairly considering the impacts…and other non-monetary costs or benefits.” The organization also views Rao’s experience at the Heritage foundation and the Federalist Society as evidence of extremism. 47

Leadership

Gene Karpinski is the president of the League of Conservation Voters. He has served in that position since April 2006. Before then, he served on the organization’s board of directors and political committee.

The LCV also has a Board of Directors which contains numerous prominent liberal activists. The chair of the board is Carol Browner, the former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Policy. Browner is also a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.48

The vice chair of the board is Roger Kim, who is also the executive director of the Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund and a senior adviser to the Democracy Alliance, a powerful and secretive group of wealthy donors and their foundations that directs funding to left-leaning causes.

Other environmental organizations are represented on the LCV board such as Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council, NextGen Climate, GreenLatinos, and The Wilderness Society. Some progressive groups and foundations such as the Turner Foundation, the Hip Hop Caucus, and Bloomberg Philanthropies also have representation on the LCV board.

Relationship With Other Organizations

The LCV frequently coordinates with other progressive and environmental organizations. On November 2, 2016; the LCV released a joint press release with Emily’s List and the Latino Victory Fund in support of Democrat Nanette Barragan in her U.S. House race in the 44th California Congressional District. “Barragán is committed to protecting the air, water and health of her constituents over the profits of corporate polluters and we are proud to stand with her in this race and push back against these outrageous attacks.” the LCV said in the release.49

On October 21, 2016; the LCV and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund issued a joint endorsement of Democrat Matt Heinz in the Arizona Second Congressional District. The LCV called Heinz a “strong environmental ally” and promised that he would build on his “strong record” in Congress.50

The United Steelworkers union and LCV created a joint super PAC called the New American Jobs Fund that played in Senate races all over the country. The PAC announced plans to spend up to $4 million in Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania on behalf of a “pro-conservation and pro-jobs” Senate majority.51

The LCV, Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense Action Fund launched a $1.85 million media blitz against Nevada Republican Senate candidate Joe Heck in October 2016. The ads, in both English and Spanish, attacked Heck on climate change and his views on solar power.52

LCV President Gene Karpinski addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2016. The organization has been given money by Senate Majority PAC, the quasi-official Democratic Senate PAC, and other environmental organizations.53

Controversies

The League of Conservation Voters has been accused of underhanded election tactics. In 2012, a Contra Costa County, California news site reported that one their readers had been sent direct mail by a group connected to the LCV. According to the reader, the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (LCVEF) sent them a “voter registration form” and urged them to fill it out. The reader contacted their registrar of voters and they told them they did not send the form.54

Funding from Russia and China

In March 2022 (during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent an open letter to Gene Karpinski, president of LCV, noting that “publicly available information suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin funds certain environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world to create fear among other nations’ use of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) to ensure dependence on Russian gas.” 55

The letter added: “Provided the public reporting of Putin’s dark money influence . . . we write today to explore your connection with Sea Change [Foundation],” a major pass-through funder of environmental activist nonprofits accused of funneling Russian money in 2014. LCV is a top Sea Change Foundation grant recipient. 56

The committee then asked Karpinski to provide information regarding how much money his organization had received from Sea Change Foundation, what programs the grants supported, if LCV had received Russian money, if Russian or foreign funding had been used in LCV’s lobbying campaigns, and if Sea Change funding had been used in LCV’s anti-fracking advocacy. 57

The committee also inquire as to LCV grants from the Chinese Communist Party or individuals connected to it. 58

In a response letter, Karpinski claimed that LCV has no “connections — financial or otherwise — to Russia or China.” 59

Catalist

Also see Catalist (For-Profit)

The LCV, along with many progressive organizations, uses a company called Catalist to provide its voter lists and data. Some campaign finance lawyers argue that providing the lists below market value, as Catalist does, is a form of an in-kind contribution that is not reported. Catalist only does business with Democrats and progressive organizations.

Catalist, which has ties to allies of the Clinton family, was also accused of facilitating illegal coordination between Democrats and progressive organizations such as LCV. Under Federal campaign finance laws, independent organizations and political candidates and parties cannot coordinate.60

Promoting Left-Wing Causes Over Environmentalism

Ken Tomlinson, the former editor-in-chief of Reader’s Digest, accused the LCV of being more interested in promoting left-wing causes and progressives than in environmental conservation. He took issue with the group’s support of then-U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Virginia). Tomlinson argued that Perriello’s Virginia 5th Congressional district was facing more pressing environmental challenges on the state and local level and the resources devoted to saving Perriello would be better spent on state and local action.61

Andrew Sabin

In May 2018, LCV honored Andrew Sabin, a billionaire who contributed to President Trump’s fundraising Super PAC, Trump Victory. LCV’s awarding Sabin as its “Environmental Leader Honoree” was criticized by some groups on the Left, including ThinkProgress.62

Coordination with Biden Administration Officials

In March 2021, LCV, along with environmental project Climate Power, helped conduct an internal training session on climate communication strategies for Biden appointees. The date was revealed by government watchdog group Americans for Public Trust (APT), which it had obtained from Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s internal agency calendar and shared with Fox News Digital. According to the Calander data, Granholm had attended and gave opening remarks, while the session itself described having attendees which included, “political appointees from all climate-related agencies,” 63 and that groups like ClimatePower and LCV would, “conduct a training on how to message climate work in an impactful and persuasive way.” 64 According to a statement released by a Department of Energy Spokesperson in February 2023, “Secretary Granholm has been spreading the word — across America and the globe — on President Biden’s actions to slash costs for American families, bring back American jobs and manufacturing, and strengthen American security through clean energy.” 65 APT executive director Caitlin Sutherland commented by stating, “Why are dark money groups, bankrolled by a foreign billionaire, training Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on communication strategies…Secretary Granholm continues to do the bidding of green energy extremists…This constant coordination is just another example of the tremendous influence dark money has on the Biden administration.” 66

In February 2023, Americans for Public Trust (APT) obtained the official calendar for Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm through the Freedom of information Act (FOIA) and revealed a meeting that took place between Granholm and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) CEO at the time, Jules Kortenhorst, in June 2021. 67 RMI would later publish a study in December 2022 claiming that roughly 13% of childhood asthma is attributed to the usage of gas stoves within a household. According to the Free Beacon, the study itself was roughly nine paragraphs and used data from several sources including 2019 U.S Census information and Australian-based analyses from 2018. Yale professor Harvey Risch even commented, “This paper does not do any research on possible association between residential natural gas use and risk of childhood asthma…It only calculates a percent of childhood asthma that could be attributable to residential natural gas use and risk of childhood asthma.” 68 APT executive director Caitlin Sutherland commented on the meeting between Granholm and Kortnhorst by stating, “Despite calling stories about the Biden Administration banning gas stoves ‘ridiculous’ and ‘not true,’ Secretary Granholm’s calendar tells a different story. We’ve now learned that she consulted with the dark money group pushing to ban gas stoves. Suffice to say, ‘ridiculous’ and ‘not true’ proposals don’t ordinarily involve a meeting with the Secretary of Energy—and where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” 69

2021 990 Tax Form Obtained

In December 2022, watchdog group Americans for Public Trust obtained the 2021 990 form for LCV and discovered a massive increase in revenue for the organization between 2020 and 2021. According to Fox News LCV’s revenue was $77.7 million in 2020, but was reported to be at roughly $114.7 million in 2021, or a 48% increase.  One of its largest contributors that year was nonprofit Sixteen Thirty Fund, a nonprofit organization and project of D.C-based philanthropy Arabella Advisors, from which the LCV received $18.9 million in donations. 70 The LCV also received donations from similar groups including $10.7 million from Fund for a Better Future and $60,000 from the Wyss Foundation. 71 In addition to an increase in revenue, the LCV also gave out donations to environmental and non-environmental organizations including roughly $1.3 million to grantmaking organization Fund for a Better Future, $500,000 to Arabella-linked nonprofit Windward Fund, Democratic Super PAC Future Forward PAC, advocacy group Center for Empowered Politics (CEP), and lobbying group Building Back Together. 72 LCV staff have also met with members of the Biden Administration in the past: between August 2021 and June 2022, LCV president Gene Karpinski visited the White House around 8 times. On June 2, 2022 alone, White House visitor logs shows that Karpinski met with Assistant to White House Chief of Staff for Ron Klain, Madeline Strasser; founder of Center for American Progress (CAP) and White House clean energy czar John Podesta; executive director of environmental group Eco Group; and Kathleen Welch, the chair of the Natural Resources Defense Council and a member of the LCV’s board of directors. 73 LCV spokesperson Emily Samsel commented, “2022 was the best year ever in the U.S. for action on climate, jobs, and justice, and a historic year for our democracy…LCV is extraordinarily proud of our advocacy work over the years to make this possible, including working in partnership with many other effective groups that advocate for climate action and protecting our democracy…advancing racial justice and equity is central to LCV’s mission.” 74

Funding

The League of Conservation Voters is a 501(c)(4) advocacy nonprofit, so under IRS rules it is not required to disclose its donors.

Documents

The League of Conservation Voters’ Form 990 IRS filing for 2021 is available here.

References

  1. Michael Beckel. “LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS BECOMING ‘DARK MONEY’ HEAVYWEIGHT.” November 22, 2013. Accessed January 21, 2019. https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/league-of-conservation-voters-becoming-dark-money-heavyweight/
  2. “Dear Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper, and Members of the Committee.” November 30, 2020. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sign-on_S4897_OPPOSE_119-orgs-3.pdf
  3. “State Affiliates – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. Accessed February 10, 2017. https://www.lcv.org/state-affiliates/.
  4. “Check Out The 2015 National Environmental Scorecard”. League Of Conservation Voters Scorecard. 2016. http://scorecard.lcv.org/.
  5. “Nuclear explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Accessed August 16, 2021. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/us-nuclear-industry.php
  6. “ 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
  7. “Dear Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper, and Members of the Committee.” November 30, 2020. Accessed August 14, 2023. https://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sign-on_S4897_OPPOSE_119-orgs-3.pdf
  8. Barrett, Paul. “Why Shell Quit Drilling In The Arctic”. Bloomberg. 2015. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-28/why-shell-quit-drilling-in-the-arctic.
  9. “Barack Obama Blocks Offshore Drilling In The Arctic Ocean”. Fortune. 2016. http://fortune.com/2016/11/18/barack-obama-arctic-drilling/.
  10. “SIGN: Stop New Offshore Drilling — Permanently!”. Secure3.Convio.Net. Accessed February 10, 2017. https://secure3.convio.net/lcv/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3291.
  11. Egan, Matt. “After 40-Year Ban, U.S. Starts Exporting Crude Oil”. CNN Money. 2016. http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/29/investing/us-oil-exports-begin/.
  12. Carroll, Joe and Henry Weber. “The Trickle Of U.S. Oil Exports Is Already Shifting Global Power”. Bloomberg. 2016. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-23/-liquid-freedom-sails-from-texas-tilting-power-in-global-oil.
  13. “LCV Statement On House Passage Of Bill Lifting The Crude Oil Export Ban – League Of Conservation Voters”. 2015. League Of Conservation Voters. https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-statement-on-house-passage-of-bill-lifting-the-crude-oil-export-ban/.
  14. “LCV Statement On The Anniversary Of The Clean Power Plan – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-statement-on-the-anniversary-of-the-clean-power-plan/.
  15. “Climatechangepredictions.Org – Dud Predictions About Global Warming”. Climatechangepredictions. 2016. http://climatechangepredictions.org/.
  16. “League Of Conservation Voters Stands With Standing Rock Sioux – League Of Conservation Voters”. 2016. League Of Conservation Voters. https://www.lcv.org/article/league-conservation-voters-stands-standing-rock-sioux/.
  17. Boyd, Kevin. “It’s Time To Complete The Dakota Access Pipeline”. Rare. 2016. http://rare.us/rare-politics/issues/the-green-fraud/its-time-to-complete-the-dakota-access-pipeline/.
  18. “League Of Conservation Voters Stands With Standing Rock Sioux – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/league-conservation-voters-stands-standing-rock-sioux/.
  19. “Vote On Genetically Modified Food Labeling”. League Of Conservation Voters Scorecard. Accessed February 10, 2015. http://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2015-462-genetically-modified-food-labeling.
  20. “Vote On Genetically Modified Food Labeling.” League Of Conservation Voters Scorecard. Accessed February 10, 2015. http://scorecard.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/2015-462-genetically-modified-food-labeling.
  21. Lynas, Mark. “GMO Safety Debate Is Over”. Cornell Alliance For Science. 2016. http://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/mark-lynas/gmo-safety-debate-over.
  22. Saletan, William. “The Misleading War On Gmos: The Food Is Safe. The Rhetoric Is Dangerous.” Slate Magazine. 2015. http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/07/are_gmos_safe_yes_the_case_against_them_is_full_of_fraud_lies_and_errors.html.
  23. Scheer, Roddy and Doug Moss. “Clean Energy “Victory” Bonds Seek To Recapture Spirit Of U.S WW II Investment Drive.” Scientific American. Accessed February 10, 2017. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/clean-energy-victory-bonds/.
  24. Delacy, Keith. “Solar And Wind Power Don’T Work”. The Australian. 2016. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/solar-and-wind-power-simply-dont-work–not-here-not-anywhere/news-story/66f188a1399705745abc0f2663a4a9c3.
  25. Groom, Nicholas. “Frustrated with Trump, green group goes local with clean energy campaign.” Reuters. March 29, 2018. Accessed July 30, 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-cleanenergy/frustrated-with-trump-green-group-goes-local-with-clean-energy-campaign-idUSKBN1H51GU.
  26. Bui, Quoctrung and Margot Sanger-Katz. “Why The Government Owns So Much Land In The West”. NY Times. 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/upshot/why-the-government-owns-so-much-land-in-the-west.html?_r=1.
  27. Morris, Julian. “Devastating Fires Show Forest Management Reforms Are Badly Needed”. Reason Foundation. 2015. http://reason.org/studies/show/forest-fires-management-reform.
  28. Hand, Mark. “New Trump Supreme Court pick gives environmental groups a lot to fear as consensus strategy emerges.” ThinkProgress. July 10, 2018. Accessed July 30, 2018. https://thinkprogress.org/green-groups-worry-about-kavanaugh-but-have-yet-to-unite-271c7020bb99/
  29. “Conservation group endorses Jones in 13th District Dem Primary.” The News-Gazette. January 25, 2018. Accessed July 30, 2018. http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-01-25/conservation-group-endorses-jones-13th-district-dem-primary.html ; “Erik Jones.” Ballotpedia.com. Accessed July 30, 2018. https://ballotpedia.org/Erik_Jones
  30. Wilson, Kirby. “An environmental group is out with a new anti-Rick Scott campaign and it is…interesting.” April 10, 2018. Accessed July 30, 2018.  http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/04/10/an-environmental-group-is-out-with-a-new-anti-rick-scott-campaign-and-it-is-interesting/
  31. Green, Miranda. “Conservation group launches $1M campaign to save public parks bill.” The Hill. June 4, 2018. Accessed July 30, 2018. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/390585-conservation-group-launches-1million-campaign-to-save-nps-fund-set.
  32. Press Release. “LCV ACTION FUND ENDORSES SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE FOR RE-ELECTION.” League of Conservation Voters. September 5, 2018. Accessed January 21, 2019. http://origin.lcv.org/article/lcv-action-fund-endorses-senator-sheldon-whitehouse-re-election/
  33. “Disbursements: League of Conservation Voters Action Fund (Whitehouse for Senate, 2018).” Federal Election Commission, FEC.gov. Accessed January 21, 2019. https://www.fec.gov/data/disbursements/?two_year_transaction_period=2018&data_type=processed&committee_id=C00252940&recipient_name=whitehouse&min_date=01%2F01%2F2017&max_date=12%2F31%2F2018
  34. Michael Beckel. “LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS BECOMING ‘DARK MONEY’ HEAVYWEIGHT.” November 22, 2013. Accessed January 21, 2019. https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/league-of-conservation-voters-becoming-dark-money-heavyweight/
  35. “Endorsements – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. Accessed February 10, 2017. https://www.lcv.org/endorsements/.
  36. “2016 Dirty Dozen – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/dirty-dozen/.
  37. “League of Conservation Voters Outside Spending | Opensecrets”. Opensecrets. Accessed February 10, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/detail.php?cmte=C00486845.
  38. “Organizations Disclosing Donations To League Of Conservation Voters, 2016 | Opensecrets”. Opensecrets. Accessed February 10, 2017. https://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/contrib_all.php?cmte=C00486845&type=A&cycle=2016.
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  47. “The Most Extreme Trump Judicial Nominees Pending in the Senate: Neomi Rao, nominated to the DC Circuit.” The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Uploaded March 2019. Accessed March 8, 2019. Original URL: http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/judicial-nominations/2018/most-extreme/TOC/Neomi-Rao.pdf; Available here: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/03/neomi-rao-opposition-group-statements.pdf
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  49. “LCV Action Fund, The Latino Victory Fund & EMILY’s List Statement On Big Oil Spending Big Against Nanette Barragán – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-action-fund-latino-victory-fund-emilys-list-statement-big-oil-spending-big-nanette-barragan/.
  50. “LCV Action Fund And The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Endorse Matt Heinz For Congress – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-action-fund-gay-lesbian-victory-fund-endorse-matt-heinz-congress/.
  51. “New American Jobs Fund Launches Over $1.5 Million Persuasion Mail Program – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/new-american-jobs-fund-launches-1-5-million-persuasion-mail-program/.
  52. “LCV Victory Fund, EDF Action & The Sierra Club Announce $1.85 Million Ad Campaign Against Heck In NV – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/lcv-victory-fund-edf-action-the-sierra-club-announce-1-85-million-ad-campaign-against-heck-in-nv/.
  53. “Prepared Remarks To The DNC By LCV President Gene Karpinski – League Of Conservation Voters”. League Of Conservation Voters. 2016. https://www.lcv.org/article/prepared-remarks-to-the-dnc-by-lcv-president-gene-karpinski/.
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  55. Letter to Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters. U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mar. 10, 2022. Accessed Mar. 30, 2022. Original URL: https://republicans-energycommerce.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3.10.22-Letter-to-LCV.pdf. Archived URL: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2022/03/house-gop-letter-to-leage-of-conservation-voters-2022.pdf
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Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Bill Roberts
    Former Board Chair
  2. Cristobal Alex
    Board Member
  3. Carol Browner
    Board Chair
  4. Lynde Uihlein
    Board Member
  5. Molly McUsic
    Board Member
  6. Antha Williams
    Board Member
  7. Peter Maysmith
    Senior Vice President of Campaigns
  8. Winsome McIntosh
    Former Board Member
  9. Roger Kim
    Vice Chairman of the Board
  10. Kathleen Welch
    Board Member
  11. Rebecca Parks
    Former Campaigns Assistant (2004-2005)
  12. Scott Nathan
    Former Board Member and Chair
  13. Harry Reid
    100% Score Recipient (2016)
  14. Mike Lux
    Consultant
  15. Donald Ross
    Former Board Member
  16. Eric Kessler
    Former National Field Director
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 1991

  • 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 $78,082,041 $71,608,762 $20,456,614 $4,714,316 N $77,700,598 $31,944 $35,041 $224,067
    2019 Dec Form 990 $33,970,862 $36,914,836 $11,802,226 $1,392,594 N $34,098,045 $54,865 $1,533 $221,714
    2018 Dec Form 990 $65,184,681 $66,475,120 $14,154,507 $1,902,661 Y $65,259,075 $66,696 $30,683 $220,301 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $32,654,016 $26,090,912 $14,611,688 $1,069,403 N $32,501,740 $15,411 $8,962 $213,084 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $38,779,210 $40,257,882 $7,931,753 $952,572 N $38,838,686 $6,781 $10,571 $229,833 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $20,431,957 $39,508,430 $9,243,824 $785,971 N $20,369,847 $29,222 $12,255 $221,761 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $38,292,219 $41,634,216 $8,793,365 $1,013,254 N $38,357,659 $38,443 $9,797 $221,839 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $19,597,426 $15,802,040 $11,864,252 $742,144 N $19,595,740 $0 $9,265 $221,384 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $37,022,326 $35,651,439 $8,074,139 $747,417 N $36,970,320 $0 $8,447 $123,753 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $11,581,344 $12,007,438 $6,430,234 $474,399 N $11,347,704 $0 $3,379 $176,394 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    League of Conservation Voters (LCV)

    1920 L ST NW STE 800
    WASHINGTON, DC 20036-5045