Earth Island Institute is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization based in Berkeley, California. The organization operates as a fiscal sponsor to a network of more than 75 groundbreaking environmental activist projects. In addition to its project support program, Earth Island Institute includes Earth Island Advocates (its legal division), the New Leaders Initiative (a youth leadership program), and publishes Earth Island Journal, an award-winning magazine.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.9M
-6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+408.0% YoY
Grant Count
40
+5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$46K
+382.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Earth Island Institute provides support to environmental action projects and to the next generation of environmental leaders in order to achieve solutions to the crises threatening the survival of life on Earth.
The organization's work spans multiple environmental focus areas including environmental quality and protection, natural resources conservation, environmental education, and the intersection of ecological issues with social justice. The organization connects grassroots environmental activism with legal advocacy and youth leadership development.
Grantmaking
Earth Island Institute operates two primary grantmaking programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Ohio, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $39,932,865
- Total Revenue: $30,907,440
- Total Expenses: $34,776,454
- Total Liabilities: $3,910,000
- Total Giving: $3,908,986
- Number of Employees: 348
The organization has maintained tax-exempt status since March 1984 (EIN: 94-2889684).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,932,865 | $42,478,005 | $29,615,223 |
| Revenue | $30,907,440 | $34,936,590 | $23,677,718 |
| Expenses | $34,776,454 | $23,826,462 | $22,643,834 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,264,272 | $1,031,696 | $-1,939,525 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Earth Island Institute Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Sumona Majumdar
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Alex | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Jessian Choy | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Elizabeth Delph | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Josh Floum | President | 2 | — |
| Tiauna George | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Regina Harmon | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Ariana Katovich | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Francisco Martinez | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Deborah Sivas | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Pia MacDonald | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Ariela St Pierre | Secretary | 2 | — |
| David Phillips | Executive Director | 40 | $201,252 |
| Dianna Cohen | Project Manager | 40 | $178,788 |
| Camilla Fox | Project Manager | 40 | $173,250 |
| Sumona Majumdar | Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $172,742 |
| Melinda Kramer | Project Manager | 40 | $168,875 |
| Jessica Diamond | Project Manager | 40 | $168,875 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025:**
Earth Island Institute announced the 2025 Brower Youth Award Winners, honoring five youth leaders in October 2025
Earth Island Institute Inc - Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublicaReached a settlement with Danone in a landmark plastic pollution lawsuit, with Danone agreeing to support initiatives to reduce plastic waste in California (September 2025)
Filed a noncompliance complaint with OSHA and EPA regarding hazard communication violations for oil spill dispersant manufacturers (June 2025)
**2023:**
Earth Island's Rise St. James project was featured in reporting on alleged conflicts of interest in a "Cancer Alley" case
Earth Island's Wild Oyster Project was featured in coverage of native oyster restoration efforts in the Bay Area
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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