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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: June 2026 Expires: June 2028

National Audubon Society

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(844) 428-3826
225 Varick Street
New York, NY, 10014
https://audubon.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

National Audubon Society meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Complaints

Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 1

The organization addressed the complaint issues brought to its attention: 1

(This complaint involved mailing list removal).

Stated Purpose:
"to protect birds and the place they need, today and tomorrow."

Year, State Incorporated:
1905, NY

National Audubon Society's (Audubon) conservation efforts focus on protecting birds, their habitats, and people. The organization has national programs in science, education, and policy that coordinate closely with field programs in states and at nature centers around the country. Audubon's local chapters offer bird walks, advocacy campaigns, nature outings, educational programs and other events for members and the public. The organization reports that its network spans more than 415 independent chapters, 92 campus chapters, 31 nature centers, 29 sanctuaries, and 15 state and regional offices. Some ($8,843,000 or 5%) of Audubon’s program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.

For the year ended June 30, 2025, National Audubon Society's program expenses were:

Conservation program $163,002,647
Total Program Expenses $163,002,647

Chief Executive
Elizabeth M. Gray, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$1,034,324

Chair of the Board
George Golumbeski

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Independent Biotechnology Executive, Partner, DROIA Ventures

Board Size
18

Paid Staff Size
844

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Door-to-door appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals, Workplace Giving

Audubon incurred joint costs of $15,882,000 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $8,843,000 was allocated to program expenses and $7,039,000 was allocated to fundraising expenses.

Fundraising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $173,628,186, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on National Audubon Society's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2025.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $146,970,478
Bequests $21,233,961
Investment gains on pooled funds not appropriated, net $13,078,233
Investment earnings on pooled funds - appropriated, net $11,873,009
Earned income $11,701,794
Investment earnings on non-pooled funds, net $5,819,079
In-kind contributions $5,423,747
Other revenue $3,149,171
Gain on sales of land, buildings and equipment $40,070
Total Income $219,289,542

Programs: 80% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 5%

Total Income $219,289,542
Total expenses: $203,725,051
  Program expenses $163,002,647
  Fundraising expenses $30,193,717
  Administrative expenses $10,528,687
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $15,564,491
Beginning Net Assets $572,699,109
Other Changes In Net Assets $3,801,858
Ending Net Assets $592,065,458
Total Liabilities $50,916,869
Total Assets $642,982,327

Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to change in value of charitable trusts ($4,267,084), charitable trust additions ($360,257), and pension and postretirement related changes other than net periodic costs (-$825,483).

Note 2: According to the organization's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended June 30, 2025, Audubon received in-kind contributions totaling $5,423,747 in the form of technology licenses ($4,299,700), pro bono legal services ($1,003,511), various donated goods and services ($112,536), and a donated vehicle ($8,000).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance