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Environmental Defense Center

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 770061994 ✦ Santa barbara, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Environmental Defense Center?

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is a nonprofit organization based in Santa Barbara, California, established in 1977. EDC empowers community-based organizations in advancing environmental protection, focusing on climate and energy, open space and wildlife, and clean water, particularly in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. As a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EDC provides legal counsel to other nonprofits and is the only public interest environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The organization protects and enhances the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action, focusing on issues such as ocean water quality, marine protected areas, and marine wildlife protection. Recently, EDC has represented the conservation community on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, advocated for environmental protections during agency review processes, and raised concerns about offshore aquaculture proposals.


Official website here: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 100% (Four-Star out of Four Stars)

The Environmental Defense Center has achieved an impressive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating exceptional performance in accountability and financial management. The organization scored a perfect 100% in its Accountability & Finance category, which highlights its commitment to transparency and ethical governance practices.

Strengths of the Environmental Defense Center include a fully independent board of directors and strong financial oversight mechanisms. The organization has demonstrated effective financial health with a program expense ratio of 77.77%, indicating that a significant portion of its expenditures directly supports its mission. The center also maintains a low fundraising efficiency ratio of $0.09, suggesting that it spends only a small amount of money to raise funds, maximizing the impact of donor contributions.

While the data highlights the organization's strengths, it does not mention any potential limitations or challenges faced by the Environmental Defense Center. Overall, the perfect score in accountability and finance reflects a robust structure that supports its environmental advocacy efforts effectively.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Environmental Defense Center?

100% of 11 reviewers on Facebook recommend the Environmental Defense Center. Here's a summary of their reviews:

Many reviewers express strong support for the organization, highlighting its impactful work in fostering environmental protection on the Central Coast and beyond. They appreciate the dedication of the team and the effectiveness of the initiatives undertaken to address local environmental concerns.

Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with users feeling that the Environmental Defense Center truly delivers on its mission to make a meaningful difference in the community and the planet as a whole.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Environmental Defense Center legitimate?

Environmental Defense Center is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Environmental Defense Center submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $152,169
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,008,066

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

What is the mission statement of Environmental Defense Center?

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is dedicated to safeguarding and enhancing the local environment through educational outreach, advocacy, and legal actions. Established as a non-profit organization, EDC primarily operates within Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. The center provides legal counsel to other non-profit organizations in its mission to protect and preserve the environment.

EDC's areas of focus include climate and energy, open space and wildlife, and clean water, specifically for the Santa Barbara Channel. The organization has played significant roles in various initiatives, such as representing the conservation community on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, advocating for environmental protections during agency review processes, and coordinating efforts to ensure proper planning and design of offshore wind projects.

In addition, EDC has supported efforts to nominate the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, co-chaired the Central Coast Marine Protected Area Collaborative, and worked on measures to protect whales from ship strikes. The organization has also conducted research and monitored proposals regarding open ocean aquaculture and raised concerns about nearshore wind energy projects that could threaten marine protected areas.


Official website here: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

What is the revenue of Environmental Defense Center?

Environmental Defense Center's revenue in 2024 was $7,255,463.


Official website here: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

Who are the executives of Environmental Defense Center and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Environmental Defense Center during 2024 was $77,349. There are 15 employees and 147 volunteers at Environmental Defense Center.

Here are 17 key members and their salaries:


Richard Francis (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Diane Wondolowski Left 1223 (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jim Salzman (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Rob Tadlock (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Vijaya Jammalamadaka (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Leanne Schlinger (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sabrina Venskus (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Gerardo Ayala (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lauren Trujillo (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
David Powdrell (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jai Ranganathan (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Alex Katz (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $120,729
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Linda Krop (Chief Counsel)
  • Compensation: $194,969
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $26,341
Margaret Hall (Deputy Chief Counsel)
  • Compensation: $114,989
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $25,273
Kathleen Weber (Assistant Director)
  • Compensation: $112,385
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $14,408
Rachel Kondor (Staff Attorney)
  • Compensation: $102,993
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $4,208
Brian Trautwein (Senior Analyst)
  • Compensation: $101,930
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $19,004


Official website here: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Environmental Defense Center?

Environmental Defense Center's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2024 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

Learn more at the official website: www.environmentaldefensecenter.org

Mission Statement of Environmental Defense Center

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is an organization devoted to protecting and enhancing the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action. Established in 1977, EDC empowers community-based organizations to advance environmental protection. By working in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties, EDC provides legal counsel to other nonprofit organizations, making it the only public interest environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The organization's mission is to safeguard various environmental concerns, including climate and energy, open space and wildlife, and clean water, ensuring a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Through its legal expertise, advocacy efforts, and educational campaigns, EDC strives to preserve the environment and promote sustainable development.

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Impact




July, 2024

The Environmental Defense Center has had a significant impact in protecting and enhancing the local environment in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties since 1977. They have empowered community-based organizations to advance environmental protection in various program areas such as climate and energy, open space and wildlife, and clean water in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Specifically, the Environmental Defense Center has made strides in advocating for ocean water quality, marine wildlife protection, and the establishment and enforcement of marine protected areas in the Santa Barbara Channel. They have represented the conservation community on advisory councils, chaired working groups, and coordinated coalitions to ensure proper planning and environmental protections in various projects, including offshore wind development and aquaculture.

Through their education, advocacy, and legal actions, the Environmental Defense Center remains a crucial player in environmental conservation efforts in the region, filling a unique role as the only public interest environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their impact extends beyond the local community, as they engage with stakeholders at the state and international levels to protect the environment and preserve important ecosystems.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Environmental Defense Center. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$7,255,463 (2024)
Expenses
$1,794,996 (2024)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2024.

  • Investment Income: $178,544
  • Program Service Revenue: $956,117
  • Gross Receipts: $12,944,055

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $6,540,400
  • Total Liabilities: $106,468
  • Net Assets: $6,433,932

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

LEGAL SERVICES

Revenue

$956,117

Organization Details

Founding Year

1977

Principal Officer

Alex Katz

NTEE Category

Code: I83Z - Crime

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