Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a global nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, dedicated to tackling environmental challenges through science-based solutions and economics. Founded in 1967 by scientists, lawyers, and business leaders, EDF operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since September 1969 (EIN: 11-6107128).
Key facts about Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
- EIN
- 11-6107128
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,098,265
- Grants made (2024)
- 150
- Average grant
- $93,988
- Median grant
- $30,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (49 of 150, 2024)
- Total assets
- $391,659,124
- Primary geography
- New York (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's 150 itemized 2024 grants were New York (51%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (22 grants), New York, NY (9 grants), New Orleans, LA (6 grants) and Denver, CO (5 grants).
Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 49 of 150 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $42K; repeat grants $119K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$391.7M
-18.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.1M
-39.3% YoY
Grant Count
150
-35.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$94K
-5.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. Guided by science and economics, EDF finds practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems.
Strategic Goals:
- Stabilize the climate
- Strengthen people and nature's ability to thrive
- Support people's health
Primary Issue Areas:
- Energy Transition – Advancing toward a clean energy future and bending the curve on global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel production and use by 2030
- Methane Reduction – Slashing methane emissions to slow global warming
- Natural Solutions – Boosting nature's ability to capture and store carbon
- Clean Air – Helping a billion people breathe cleaner air in this decade
- Agriculture – Transforming agriculture to benefit billions of people globally and scaling carbon markets for farmers
- Sustainable Fishing – Making fishing communities stronger and fish more plentiful
- Hydrogen – Helping the world get hydrogen energy right
- Safer Chemicals – Moving from toxic chemicals to safer, sustainable alternatives
EDF's approach emphasizes bringing together diverse stakeholders—including businesses, governmental entities, and community organizations—to develop collaborative, sustainable solutions.
Grantmaking
EDF functions as both a grant recipient and grantmaker. The organization has received significant grants from major philanthropic sources and has distributed grants to support environmental research and initiatives.
Ready to take the next step with Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
EDF operates in 30+ countries worldwide, with headquarters in New York, NY. The organization works globally on climate change and environmental issues while also maintaining focused efforts in specific regions, including support for flood resilience initiatives in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 150 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Revenue: $299 million
- Expenses: $296 million
- Total Assets: $392 million
- Total Liabilities: $91.9 million
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Revenues: $247,057,586
- Total Expenses: $326,456,967
- Total Assets: $477,638,635
The organization maintains strong financial health with a 98% rating from independent evaluators, reflecting excellent accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $391,659,124 | $477,638,635 | $452,168,552 |
| Revenue | $298,689,286 | $247,057,586 | $284,762,302 |
| Expenses | $295,808,792 | $326,456,967 | $272,766,121 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,236,147 | $5,224,775 | $4,972,517 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
942 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Environmental Defense Action Fund ($5,371,270), Cornell University ($711,619), West Virginia University Research Corp ($414,685).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ACTION FUND new york, NY | — | $5,371,270 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | — | $711,619 |
| West Virginia University Research Corp Morgantown, WV | — | $414,685 |
| Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator Inc New York, NY | — | $407,800 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College Cambridge, MA | — | $265,000 |
| Five Nature LLC Miami, FL | — | $250,000 |
| Ceres Inc Boston, MA | — | $247,500 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carrboro, NC | — | $241,089 |
| Community College Partners Program Locust Grove, GA | — | $240,000 |
| IHS Global Inc Englewood, CO | — | $212,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frederic D Krupp | President | 36 | $1,238,682 |
| Amanda Leland | Executive Director | 40 | $629,295 |
| Catherine Nardonethru 1223 | Sr. EVP, Chief Dev. Officer | 36 | $554,272 |
| Jay Knott Thru 1223 | COO, Senior Executive VP | 40 | $511,819 |
| Angela Churie Kallhauge | Executive VP, Impact | 40 | $423,364 |
| Thomas Murray | EVP, Solutions | 40 | $407,504 |
| Sean Cook | SVP, Chief Hr Officer | 40 | $402,057 |
| Gwen Ruta | Senior Advisor (thru 12/23) | 40 | $399,029 |
| Steven Hamburg | SVP, Chief Scientist | 40 | $378,604 |
| Eric Schwaab | SVP, People and Nature | 40 | $388,270 |
| N Louis Mkanganwi | SVP, CFO & CTO | 36 | $344,267 |
| Catharina M Vandervoort | Clo & Corp Secy (thru 2/24) | 40 | $312,902 |
| Ronora Pawelko as of 524 | Sr Dir, Sr Cnsl-Pol Law & Secy | 4 | $178,827 |
| Mark W Heising | Chair | 2 | — |
| Matt Cohler | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Katherine Lorenz | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Peggy M Shepard | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Shelby W Bonnie | Trustee | 2 | — |
| G Leonard Baker Jr | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Joshua Bekenstein | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Georges C Benjamin Md | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Michael D Bills | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Christopher a Cole | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Christopher Costello | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Collister Coddy Johnson | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Rachel Crane | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Leslie Dach | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Ruth Defries Phd | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Susan Ford Dorsey | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Stanley Druckenmiller | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Nikki Eslami | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Kristen J Feldman | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Carl Ferenbach | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Lynn R Goldman Md Mph | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Charles J Hamilton Jr Esq | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Alice Hill | Trustee | 2 | — |
| The Honorable Thomas H Kean | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Lisa Keith | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Richard J Lazarus Esq | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Abby Leigh | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Frank E Loy | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Secretary Ray Mabus | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Susan Mandel | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Elizabeth Mccance | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Marie Lynn Miranda Phd | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Kathryn Murdoch | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Susan Oberndorf | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Kenneth Olden Phd | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Stephen W Pacala Phd | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Bruce V Rauner | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Spencer Robertson | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Virginia Sall | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Elizabeth Strickler | Trustee | 2 | — |
| David S Vogel | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Susan Wojcicki | TRUSTEE (thru 8/24) | 2 | — |
| Ion Yadigaroglu | trustee | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
EDF announced first grantees in a Solar Radiation Management (SRM) research program
Environmental Defense Fund announces first grantees in SRM research programEDF received a grant from the Bezos Earth Fund
Environmental Defense Fund to Receive Bezos Earth Fund Grant | EDFEDF announced a key grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies
Environmental Defense Fund Announces Key Grant from Bloomberg PhilanthropiesEDF and partners won a grant to reduce emissions from agriculture and scale carbon markets for farmers
EDF and Partners Win Grant to Reduce Emissions from Agriculture and ScaleEDF supported the allocation of $100 million to build flood resilience in Virginia
Environmental Defense Fund Supports Allocation of $100 Million to Build FloodSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated fund?
**Mission:** To preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. Guided by science and economics, EDF finds practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems. **Strategic Goals:** • Stabilize the climate • Strengthen people and nature's ability to thrive • Support people's health **Primary Issue Areas:** • **Energy Transition** – Advancing toward a clean energy future and bending the curve on global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel production and use by …
How do I apply for a grant from Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated?
EDF functions as both a grant recipient and grantmaker. The organization has received significant grants from major philanthropic sources and has distributed grants to support environmental research and initiatives. **Total Giving (2023):** $56,954,735 EDF has announced grantees in specialized research programs, including a Solar Radiation Management (SRM) research program. The organization also partners with other entities to secure grants for specific environmental initiatives.
Where does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated make grants?
EDF operates in 30+ countries worldwide, with headquarters in New York, NY. The organization works globally on climate change and environmental issues while also maintaining focused efforts in specific regions, including support for flood resilience initiatives in Virginia.
What size grants does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated award?
In 2024, Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated awarded 150 grants totaling $14.1M — an average of about $94K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's EIN?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-6107128. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated'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.