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).
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
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 | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Ramsleg Foundation
BRIGHTWATERS, NY
Assets
$543
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Druckenmiller Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
58
Total Given
$135.7M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities