Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated (EDF) is a public charity based in New York, New York, working on environmental challenges through science and economics. Founded in 1967, it says its work aims to stabilize the climate, strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive, and support people’s health. EDF reports working in more than 30 countries and partnering with organizations, businesses, governments, and communities.
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated at a glance
In short: Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated gave $7.9M across 151 grants in 2025 (avg $52K), top state New York. 37% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,853,797
- -44.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 151
- +0.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $52,012
- -44.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $520,426,832
- +32.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (56 of 151, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
- Contact
Mailing address: 257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 505-2100
Website: https://edf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cornell University ($932K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
941 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 608 grants of 941 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
EDF says it works in more than 30 countries. Its 2025 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states, with the largest shares going to New York (27%), Washington, D.C. (12%), Virginia (6%), Colorado (6%), and Texas (6%). The 2025 filing also describes U.S. clean-energy work in multiple states and international work on shipping decarbonization.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 151 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 56 of 151 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7.9M (2025) to $26.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 151 grants totaling $7.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Methane | $931,793 |
| Partnership Project Inc Washington, DC | Partnerships | $300,000 |
| Emerging Markets Investors Alliance Inc New York, NY | Corporate Engagement | $220,000 |
| Ceres Inc Boston, MA | Methane | $205,000 |
| Planet Reimagined Inc New York, NY | Communications | $200,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Institute Boulder, CO | Corporate Engagement | $192,500 |
| University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI | Hydrogen | $192,223 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Fisheries & Oceans | $168,839 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council Inc New York, NY | Fisheries & Oceans | $158,971 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College Cambridge, MA | Science and Innovation | $152,543 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $520,426,832 | $443,267,772 | $356,751,950 | $7,853,797 | 151 | $10,171,684 |
| 2024 | $391,659,124 | $298,689,286 | $295,808,792 | $14,098,265 | 150 | $4,236,147 |
| 2023 | $477,638,635 | $247,057,586 | $326,456,967 | $23,215,248 | 233 | $5,224,775 |
| 2022 | $452,168,552 | $284,762,302 | $272,766,121 | $26,653,360 | 200 | $4,972,517 |
| 2021 | $437,217,657 | $365,118,097 | $216,037,687 | $23,246,032 | 207 | $2,183,615 |
| 2020 | $267,858,763 | $200,629,015 | $195,818,907 | $21,552,416 | 152 | $2,111,264 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
EDF states its mission is “to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends.” Guided by science and economics, it seeks practical, lasting solutions to serious environmental problems.
Its stated work includes cutting pollution, advancing clean and affordable energy, strengthening water supplies, and supporting fisheries conservation and improved management. EDF also describes work in corporate engagement, economics, and science. Its 2025 grants included support for projects identified as methane, corporate engagement, communications, hydrogen, fisheries and oceans, science and innovation, and orphan wells.
The organizations EDF supports include research and educational institutions and environmental advocacy and community organizations. For example, Ceres describes its mission as accelerating a cleaner, more just, and resilient world through education, research, and data-driven analysis. Wetlands Watch says it works to enhance natural resilience, support community adaptation, and protect and restore wetlands in Virginia. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council describes its work as protecting and restoring natural and built environments through collaboration, education, innovation, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, EDF reported 151 grants totaling $7,853,797. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $931,793, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest listed grant was $931,793 to Cornell University for methane work. Other large awards included $300,000 to Partnership Project Inc. for partnerships, $220,000 to Emerging Markets Investors Alliance Inc. for corporate engagement, $205,000 to Ceres Inc. for methane, and $200,000 to Planet Reimagined Inc. for communications.
EDF has also operated its Summer of Action grants program since 2017, supporting organizations’ federal advocacy efforts on climate action. The 2023 program invited proposals from organizations working on federal and local climate, clean-energy, healthy-communities, and environmental-justice policies; grants were to range from $10,000 to $20,000. EDF’s Environmental Justice Grant Program is an internal opportunity for staff projects, not an outside-applicant grant program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following trustees: Abby Leigh, Adam Met PhD, Alice Hill, Andrea Monge, Bruce V Rauner, Carl Ferenbach, Christopher A Cole, Christopher Costello, Coddy Johnson, and David S Vogel.
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated is led by Amanda Leland, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 51 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amanda Leland
Executive Director
Executive Vice President - Programs → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$412K (2020) → $626K (2025)
Frederic D Krupp
President
On filings since 2020
36 hrs/week
$727K (2020) → $1.2M (2025)
Mark W Heising
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronora Pawelko
Senior Director & Senior Counsel - Political Law
Senior Director, Senior Cnsl-Pol Law & Secretary → Senior Director & Senior Counsel - Political Law, 2025
On filings since 2024
24 hrs/week
$179K (2024) → $192K (2025)
Abby Leigh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce V Rauner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Ferenbach
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher A Cole
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher J Costello
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David S Vogel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
G Leonard Baker Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Georges C Benjamin MD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Bekenstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Murdoch
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Olden PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristen J Feldman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Dach
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Keith
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn R Goldman MD MPH
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael D Bills
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard J Lazarus
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Secretary Ray Mabus
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelby W Bonnie
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stanley Druckenmiller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen W Pacala PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Ford Dorsey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Mandel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Oberndorf
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie Lynn Miranda PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth DeFries PhD
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
THE HONORABLE THOMAS H Kean
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Virginia Sall
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth McCance
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ion Yadigaroglu
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Crane
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Spencer Robertson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Met PhD
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Monge
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Coddy Johnson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Johnson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lise Strickler
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony G Reames
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Cook
Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Hr Officer, 2024
Senior Vice President & Chief Hr Officer → Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$364K (2022) → $433K (2025)
Angela Churie Kallhauge
Executive Vice President & Impact
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$423K (2024) → $416K (2025)
Steven Hamburg
Senior Vice President & Chief Scientist
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$379K (2024) → $423K (2025)
Thomas Murray
Executive Vice President & Solutions
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$408K (2024) → $404K (2025)
Amelia Middleton
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$381K (2025)
Mark Brownstein
Senior Vice President & Energy Transition
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$382K (2025)
Katherine Lorenz
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Cohler
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy M Shepard
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (40)
- Former: Alice Hill (2020–2025) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 522
- Former: Catherine Nardone (2020–2025) — Former Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer · Filing note: Thru 123123
- Former: Gwen Ruta (2020–2025) — Former Senior Advisor · Filing note: Thru 122223
- Former: Jay Knott (2021–2025) — Former COO & Senior Executive Vice President · Filing note: Thru 91623
- Former: Eric Schwaab (2022–2025) — Former Senior Vice President, People & Nature · Filing note: Thru 32224
- Former: N Lou Mkanganwi (2022–2025) — Chief Financial, Technology Officer & Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 662025
- Former: Charles J. Hamilton Jr. Esq. (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Elizabeth Strickler (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Frank E. Loy (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Nikki Eslami (2022–2024) — Trustee · Filing note: From 522
- Former: Catharina M. Vandervoort (2023–2024) — Clo & Corp Secretary
- Former: Collister Coddy Johnson (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Catherine Nardonethru (2024) — Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer
- Former: Susan Wojcicki (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Charles F. Wurster PhD (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Sarah Robertson (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: From 520
- Former: Elizabeth Gore (2022–2023) — Senior Vice President & Political Affairs
- Former: Ryan Hamilton (2023) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Abigail Wexner (2020–2022) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 522
- Former: Dani Lambert (2020–2022) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 522
- Former: Eric Pooley (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President for Strategy & Communications · Filing note: Thru 422
- Former: Julian H Robertson Jr. (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: William O'Brien (2020–2022) — Chief Financial Officer · Filing note: Thru 322
- Former: Xue Lan (2020–2022) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 522
- Former: Art Cooley (2022) — Secretary · Filing note: Thru 11/2021
- Former: Arthur P. Cooley (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Daniel Dudek (2020–2021) — Vice President & Asia · Filing note: Thru 820
- Former: David Festa (2020–2021) — Vice President Ecosystems
- Former: Griffith R Harsh IV MD (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Herb Allen (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: James Marston (2021) — Us Climate & Energy
- Former: Nathaniel Keohane (2021) — Snr. Vice President - Climate
- Former: Ginger Sall (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Honorable Thomas H Kean (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jessica Issacs (2020) — Chief Administrative Officer · Filing note: Thru 819
- Former: Joe Bonfiglio (2020) — Edaf President
- Former: John Mimikakis (2020) — Vice President Oceans - Asia
- Former: Marie Lynn Miranda PH D (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Ruth Defries PH D (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sally G Bingham MDiv (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1.2M, to Frederic D Krupp (President). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated
How much does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated give each year?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated gave $7.9M across 151 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $14.1M across 150 grants.
What is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's typical grant size?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $52,012, across 151 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated that year got $27K on average.
Where does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated give grants?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's top state is New York, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (12%) and Virginia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (15 grants), New York, NY (11 grants), New Orleans, LA (6 grants) and Houston, TX (6 grants).
Does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 151 grants with a stated purpose on Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Methane" (37 grants), "State Affairs" (13 grants) and "Clean Air" (8 grants).
Who are Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's largest grantees?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's largest 2025 grantees include Cornell University ($931,793), Partnership Project Inc ($300,000) and Emerging Markets Investors Alliance Inc ($220,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated reported $520.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $443.3M.
What does Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated fund?
EDF states its mission is “to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends.” Guided by science and economics, it seeks practical, lasting solutions to serious environmental problems. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated?
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check edf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/environmental-defense-fund-incorporated-morg_f9fc8821b963412c83665bc6d011eeb7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_116107128_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/environmental-defense-fund-incorporated-morg_f9fc8821b963412c83665bc6d011eeb7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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