Western Environmental Law Center
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Western Environmental Law Center meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to safeguard the public lands, wildlife, and communities of the western U.S. in the face of a changing climate."
Year, State Incorporated:
1989, OR
Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) reports that it is a public-interest, environmental law firm that represents various clients in legal matters with environmental implications. The organization’s work focuses on climate, water, wildlife, forests, and other environmental issues. WELC provides legal services free of charge to clients and partners. The organization has offices in Oregon, Washington, Montana, New Mexico, and Colorado.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Western Environmental Law Center's program expenses were:
| Program services | $3,670,554 |
| Total Program Expenses | $3,670,554 |
Chief Executive
Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director
Compensation*
$183,737
Chair of the Board
Karin P. Sheldon, JD
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Four Echoes Strategies
Board Size
8
Paid Staff Size
29
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,494,067, 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 Western Environmental Law Center's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Grants | $1,367,500 |
| Service fees and reimbursements | $1,172,743 |
| Contributions | $1,121,728 |
| Investment income | $212,694 |
| Education fees | $22,000 |
| In-kind contributions | $4,839 |
| Miscellaneous income | $2,200 |
| Total Income | $3,903,704 |
Programs: 80% Fundraising: 8% Administrative: 12%
| Total Income | $3,903,704 |
| Total expenses: | $4,574,064 |
| Program expenses | $3,670,554 |
| Fundraising expenses | $367,204 |
| Administrative expenses | $536,306 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-670,360 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $6,375,365 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $8,268 |
| Ending Net Assets | $5,713,273 |
| Total Liabilities | $412,462 |
| Total Assets | $6,125,735 |
Note 1: In the above financial statements, “other changes in net assets” refers to a change in beneficial interest in the assets of the Oregon Community Foundation and Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Note 2: According the organization's 2023 audited financial statements, WELC received in-kind contributions totaling $4,839 for volunteer time.
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
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Great West - Pacific