Natural Resources Defense Council does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
NRDC does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its August 2019 effectiveness assessment.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
NRDC does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://www.nrdc.org does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
1
3
13
15
Natural Resources Defense Council meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) works to defend endangered wildlife and wild places, ensure safe and sufficient water, revive the world's oceans, protect public health by preventing pollution, create a clean energy future, and foster sustainable communities. In order to achieve its programmatic goals, the organization focuses on five areas: advocacy, business, litigation, partnerships, and science. The organization reports that it works with more than three million members and activists, including scientists, lawyers, and other professionals to achieve its programmatic goals.
For the year ended June 30, 2019, Natural Resources Defense Council's program expenses were:
Sustainable communities |
$49,744,819 |
Clean energy future |
$46,315,233 |
Wildlife and wildlands |
$28,935,012 |
International |
$20,687,766 |
Membership services |
$3,376,226 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$149,059,056 |
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Chief Executive
Gina McCarthy, President and Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$0
-
Chair of the Board
Alan Horn
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, The Walt Disney Studios
-
Board Size
36
-
Paid Staff Size
763
Note: Ms. McCarthy became President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2020. Compensation information for her role as President and Chief Executive Officer is not available at this time. Former President, Rhea Suh, received $566,996 in compensation in 2018.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals
NRDC incurred joint costs of $7,226,553 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $4,306,985 was allocated to program expenses and $2,919,568 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $193,030,905, 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 Natural Resources Defense Council's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2019.
Source of Funds |
Memberships and individual contributions |
$131,618,217 |
Foundation grants |
$40,255,593 |
Bequests |
$15,328,980 |
Investment gains, net of amounts appropriated for operations |
$11,004,447 |
In-kind contributions |
$5,828,115 |
Other revenue |
$3,635,409 |
Investment return appropriated for operations |
$1,692,012 |
Awarded attorneys fees |
$780,104 |
Investment return from operating reserves |
$719,006 |
Total Income |
$210,861,883 |
- Programs: 82%
- Administrative: 9%
- Fundraising: 9%
Total Income |
$210,861,883 |
Program expenses |
$149,059,056 |
Fundraising expenses |
$17,220,259 |
Administrative expenses |
$17,352,549 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$183,631,864 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$27,230,019 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$350,726,419 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-1,698,733 |
Ending Net Assets |
$376,257,705 |
Total Liabilities |
$75,975,997 |
Total Assets |
$452,233,702 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of split-interest agreements ($499,216), change in value of interest-rate swap agreement (-$689,884), and pension related activity other than net periodic pension expense (-$1,508,065).
Note 2: According to the organization's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended June 30, 2019, NRDC received in-kind gifts totaling $5,828,115 in the form of legal services ($5,476,170), goods and other services ($315,293), and consulting services ($36,652).