Environmental Defense Action Fund (EDF Action) is a 501(c)(4) civic league and social welfare organization based in Washington, DC, with offices in New York, NY. Established in 2002 and tax-exempt since September 2003, EDF Action serves as the political advocacy partner of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). While EDF focuses on research, scientific analysis, and policy development, EDF Action's primary purpose is to engage in advocacy, education, lobbying, and legislative work to drive environmental change.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.6M
+138.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.9M
+131.3% YoY
Grant Count
25
-7.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$477K
+149.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
EDF Action's stated mission is to educate the public regarding environmental and conservation issues, and advocate for legislation and policies that protect the environmental rights of all people.
The organization builds transformative political power to help protect the environment and the health of American families. Core activities include:
- Educating legislators about innovative environmental solutions
- Working across the aisle to build political momentum for environmental causes
- Mobilizing constituents to advocate for health and environmental protection
- Working to elect pro-environment candidates and holding anti-environment politicians accountable
- Fostering the next generation of climate leaders
- Defending key environmental policies and regulations
- Building bipartisan support for sustainable agriculture and other environmental initiatives
- Engaging in state-level activity, such as reducing carbon emissions and implementing federal infrastructure legislation
Primary focus areas include climate change, clean energy, pollution reduction, sustainable prosperity, and environmental protection.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending September 2024):
- Total Revenue: $32,711,189
- Total Expenses: $27,019,957
- Net Income: $5,691,232
- Total Assets: $15,550,134
- Total Liabilities: $4,730,000
Program Spending: 86% of expenses directed to programs (as of July 2025 rating)
Cost to Raise Funds: $6 to raise $100 in contributions
Tax Status: 501(c)(4) — donations are not tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,550,134 | $6,517,593 | $6,474,489 |
| Revenue | $32,711,189 | $19,958,140 | $29,024,607 |
| Expenses | $27,019,957 | $18,745,301 | $29,722,209 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $312,458 | $118,573 | $1,376 |
| 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
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include EDF Action Votes Inc ($7,350,000), League of Conservation Voters Inc ($3,512,500), Conserve and Protect Our Water ($280,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Independent Media Washington, DC | — | $100,000 |
| Clean Air Action Fund Philadelphia, PA | — | $15,000 |
| Clean Energy Business Network LLC Washington, DC | — | $9,000 |
| Sierra Club dba Colorado Sierra Club Denver, CO | — | $40,000 |
| Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship Oakton, VA | — | $15,000 |
| Conserve and Protect Our Water Louisville, CO | — | $280,000 |
| Earthworks Washington, DC | — | $10,000 |
| EDF Action Votes Inc Washington, DC | — | $7,350,000 |
| EEN Action Inc Noblesville, IN | — | $30,000 |
| Farmers Educational & Co-Op Union of America Denver, CO | — | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Joe Bonfiglio
Former Leadership: David Kieve (identified as President in 2014)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FREDERIC D KRUPP | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| N LOUIS MKANGANWI | CFO AND TREASURER | 4 | — |
| DAVID KIEVE | PRESIDENT | 36 | — |
| Ronora Pawelko | Sr Dir, Sr Cnsl-Pol Law & Secy | 36 | — |
| Ashley Lough thru 1023 | Dir, Board & Ext Rel & Secy | 40 | — |
| CODDY JOHNSON | CO-CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ELIZABETH B STRICKLER | CO-CHAIR | 2 | — |
| FRANK LOY | CHAIR EMERITUS | 2 | — |
| CHRISSY ARMSTRONG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Thomas F Darden II | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Richard H Davis | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Susan Ford Dorsey | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Kirsten J Feldman | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Carl Ferenbach | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Charles J Hamilton Jr | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Kevin Johnson | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| The Honorable Thomas H Kean | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Neal Kemkar | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| John C Kerr | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Abby Leigh | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Susan Mandel | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Mary Powell | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Jon Powers | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Clara Pratte | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Thais Lopez Vogel Esq | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Jeffrey P Williams | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Joanne Witty | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2022, EDF Action played a significant role in advancing clean energy and public health legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act. The organization's advocacy efforts involved meetings with Congress, paid advertising, emails to Capitol Hill, earned media strategies, and constituent fly-ins in support of climate action.
EPA Grants from Inflation Reduction Act Will Help States and CommunitiesIn 2024, EDF Action played a critical role in safeguarding climate progress at the federal level, defending key policies including the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law against legislative threats, and preserving regulations vital to protecting the environment and public health.
Environmental Defense Action Fund - Full Filing - Nonprofit ExplorerContact Information
Main Address: 1875 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20009
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 98051 Washington, DC 20090-8051
Website: www.edfaction.org
EIN: 90-0080500
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Environmental Defense Action Fund fund?
EDF Action's stated mission is to educate the public regarding environmental and conservation issues, and advocate for legislation and policies that protect the environmental rights of all people. The organization builds transformative political power to help protect the environment and the health of American families. Core activities include: • Educating legislators about innovative environmental solutions • Working across the aisle to build political momentum for environmental causes • Mobili…
What size grants does Environmental Defense Action Fund award?
In 2024, Environmental Defense Action Fund awarded 25 grants totaling $11.9M — an average of about $477K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Environmental Defense Action Fund's EIN?
Environmental Defense Action Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0080500. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Environmental Defense Action Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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