Totals
- Total revenue
- $48,550,195
- Total expenses
- $38,303,168
- Contributions and grants received
- $41,566,131
- Grants paid
- $609,434
- Program service revenue
- $60,397
- Investment income
- $6,741,096
- Other revenue
- $182,571
- Total assets, end of year
- $65,453,645
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,817,367
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $60,636,278
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $27,214,524
- Management and general expenses
- $6,301,439
- Fundraising expenses
- $4,787,205
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $27,214,524
Program services were 71.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.
Line items
Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.
Revenue
Part VIII, the statement of revenue.
-
1e · Government grants (contributions)
$516,820
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$41,049,311
-
1g · Noncash contributions included above
$4,681,934
-
2a · Program service revenue: Contract services
total $33,797 · related or exempt $33,797
-
2b · Program service revenue: Registration Fees
total $26,600 · related or exempt $26,600
-
3 · Investment income
total $1,137,164 · excluded $1,137,164
-
5 · Royalties
total $175,994 · excluded $175,994
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
securities $40,814,618
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $35,210,686
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities $5,603,932
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total $5,603,932 · excluded $5,603,932
-
11a · Other revenue: Reimbursed expenses
total $6,577 · related or exempt $6,577
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$6,577
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $512,179 · program services $512,179
-
2 · Grants to domestic individuals
total $97,255 · program services $97,255
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $3,860,040 · program services $2,887,158 · management and general $666,454 · fundraising $306,428
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $12,726,014 · program services $9,534,456 · management and general $2,179,271 · fundraising $1,012,287
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $638,146 · program services $484,395 · management and general $98,910 · fundraising $54,841
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $2,158,889 · program services $1,582,066 · management and general $417,393 · fundraising $159,430
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $1,170,930 · program services $885,528 · management and general $186,714 · fundraising $98,688
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $587,562 · program services $421,960 · management and general $118,287 · fundraising $47,315
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $68,028 · management and general $68,028
-
11e · Fees: professional fundraising services
total $2,252,264 · fundraising $2,252,264
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $156,130 · management and general $156,130
-
11g · Fees: other
total $1,850,840 · program services $1,418,597 · management and general $384,205 · fundraising $48,038
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $1,383,588 · program services $1,176,048 · management and general $155,826 · fundraising $51,714
-
13 · Office expenses
total $6,403,946 · program services $4,983,074 · management and general $1,038,028 · fundraising $382,844
-
14 · Information technology
total $1,506,170 · program services $816,662 · management and general $482,281 · fundraising $207,227
-
15 · Royalties
total $19,531 · program services $14,301 · management and general $1,982 · fundraising $3,248
-
16 · Occupancy
total $723,836 · program services $589,806 · management and general $107,909 · fundraising $26,121
-
17 · Travel
total $442,728 · program services $398,037 · management and general $29,820 · fundraising $14,871
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $189,472 · program services $115,661 · management and general $41,450 · fundraising $32,361
-
20 · Interest
total $3,852 · program services $2,913 · management and general $614 · fundraising $325
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $569,185 · program services $430,452 · management and general $90,761 · fundraising $47,972
-
23 · Insurance
total $127,170 · program services $96,174 · management and general $20,278 · fundraising $10,718
-
24a · Other expenses: Membership Incentives
total $429,216 · program services $427,308 · management and general $524 · fundraising $1,384
-
24b · Other expenses: Taxes, fees and license
total $223,719 · program services $159,044 · management and general $46,837 · fundraising $17,838
-
24c · Other expenses: Dues and subscriptions
total $202,478 · program services $181,450 · management and general $9,737 · fundraising $11,291
-
26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)
total $4,247,123 · program services $3,199,298 · management and general $484,508 · fundraising $563,317
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $1,620,756 · end of year $2,222,146
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $4,869,640 · end of year $11,487,915
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $640,081 · end of year $1,105,059
-
4 · Accounts receivable
beginning of year $246,038 · end of year $324,377
-
8 · Inventories for sale or use
beginning of year $754,564 · end of year $1,044,649
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $1,049,280 · end of year $1,868,237
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$18,581,316
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$11,962,231
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $7,043,630 · end of year $6,619,085
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $37,536,403 · end of year $36,730,173
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $4,718,673 · end of year $4,052,004
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $1,873,263 · end of year $2,499,533
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $38,487 · end of year $49,031
-
25 · Other liabilities
beginning of year $2,722,140 · end of year $2,268,803
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $45,574,208 · end of year $53,066,720
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $8,270,967 · end of year $7,569,558
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities.
Activities or mission (Part I)
Habitat and species protection.
-
Conservation and Restoration of Imperiled Biodiversity in North America: Defenders of Wildlife focuses on the conservation of imperiled species and keystone or umbrella species that help restore the integrity and health of ecosystems. Our focus on wildlife and habitat conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity defines our important niche in the environmental and conservation community. Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, our programs emphasize imperiled species and their habitat throughout North America because of the irreparable loss that species extinction represents. We believe in the inherent value of wildlife and the natural world. To realize our conservation vision, Defenders of Wildlife engages in policy analysis and advocacy, litigation, innovative science, technology development, and conservation activities in the field. Our work is aimed at the prevention of species and habitats from becoming imperiled, the protection of endangered and threatened species and their habitats, and the restoration of the health of vulnerable species and their habitats. We are known for our innovative and pragmatic responses to a constantly changing political, economic and social environment. Our staff of scientists, wildlife policy experts, lobbyists, communications experts, and attorneys work in the halls of Congress, state legislatures, the courts, and local communities, and in the field across the country. We develop and advocate for innovative "up-stream" management solutions for public and private lands that encourage conservation of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats. We emphasize collaboration with other groups as a means of bringing to bear as much collective influence as possible on policymakers and processes which are often subjected to relentless pressure from special interests. The shared goal of all of our activities is to make Defenders of Wildlife the nation's most effective champion of imperiled wildlife in an era of climate change and habitat loss, leading the way in meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities that tomorrow presents to leave a rich and diverse natural legacy for future generations.
Expenses $14,676,309 · Grants $548,266 · Revenue $66,974
-
Mobilization of a Broader Constituency for Wildlife Conservation:Defenders of Wildlife implements nation-wide conservation initiatives and place-based conservation programs that are rooted in the communities in which we work. We focus on strategic areas where we can have a positive impact on wildlife and landscapes. We are driven by our responsibility to mobilize and grow a movement for conservation that will endure for generations to come. We issue a monthly email publication, as well as an Impact Report, sent to all members who have provided us with their email address. It features informative articles on important wildlife and land management conservation issues, editorial comments, and updates on current activities taken by the organization. Our educational outreach projects include: providing the public with up-to-date information on wildlife and habitat protection issues; maintaining an activist network and alerting activists to contact elected officials on key wildlife conservation issues; and providing information to students and teachers on wildlife issues. We also reach the public by briefing the local and national media on important wildlife topics, by producing high quality video and participating in various podcasts, media interviews, and events highlighting America's wildlife and public lands. We also engage supporters on our social network channels and through our online blog. Defenders of Wildlife's website and social media platforms offer extensive information on wildlife species and related conservation issues. The website, www.defenders.org, serves as a resource for learning more about wildlife, understanding current policy issues, and getting involved.
Expenses $12,538,215 · Grants $61,168
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Mark Caylor
Chair
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2.5
-
John Donovan
Vice Chair
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2 + 0.5 related
-
Sheryl Sachs
Treasurer
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Susan Alexander
Secretary
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 1
-
Mitra Amestoy
Director (from 9/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Sylvia Baca
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Whitfield Bailey
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5 + 0.5 related
-
Don Barry
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Dinah Bear
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Kim O'Keefe Beck
Director (to 5/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5 + 0.5 related
-
John Dayton
Director (to 5/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Paul Donaher
Director (to 6/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Robert Fischman
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5 + 0.5 related
-
Caroline Gable
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Linda Hanauer
Director (from 9/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Anita Keefe
Director (from 9/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Ann Morgan
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Jaime Pinkham
Director (from 5/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Terry Root
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Paul Selva
Director (from 9/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Tom Sisk
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 0.5
-
Laura Sheehan
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
- Total calculated
- $271,754
- From this org
- $256,642
- From related orgs
- $123
- Other
- $14,989
- Hours/week
- 40 + 0.5 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $254,321 + $122 related
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $2,321 + $1 related
- Deferred
- $11,748 + $6 related
- Nontaxable benefits
- $3,233 + $2 related
- Filer's total
- $271,623 + $131 related
-
Michael Senatore
SVP, Conservation Programs
- Total calculated
- $305,212
- From this org
- $251,732
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $53,480
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $249,410
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $2,322
- Deferred
- $18,247
- Nontaxable benefits
- $35,233
- Filer's total
- $305,212
-
Andrew Bowman
President & CEO (from 8/24)
- Total calculated
- $221,998
- From this org
- $203,727
- From related orgs
- $172
- Other
- $18,099
- Hours/week
- 40 + 0.5 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $177,924 + $171 related
- Bonus
- $25,000
- Other
- $803 + $1 related
- Deferred
- $12,574 + $12 related
- Nontaxable benefits
- $5,508 + $5 related
- Filer's total
- $221,809 + $189 related
-
Andrew Miller
CFO (from 7/24)
- Total calculated
- $117,434
- From this org
- $93,143
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $24,291
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Alicia Washkevich
COO (from 6/25)
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 40
-
David Anderson
Interim SVP, Ops (from 9/24 to 2/25)
- Total calculated
- $104,210
- From this org
- $104,210
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Matt Braughler
Vice President, Development
- Total calculated
- $296,532
- From this org
- $272,874
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $23,658
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $271,632
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $1,242
- Deferred
- $19,057
- Nontaxable benefits
- $4,601
- Filer's total
- $296,532
-
Brandace Swimeley
Vice President, Integrated Marketing
- Total calculated
- $300,786
- From this org
- $248,150
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $52,636
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $247,340
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $810
- Deferred
- $18,378
- Nontaxable benefits
- $34,258
- Filer's total
- $300,786
-
Thu Pham
Chief of Staff
- Total calculated
- $251,925
- From this org
- $202,035
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $49,890
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $201,000
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $1,035
- Deferred
- $14,858
- Nontaxable benefits
- $35,032
- Filer's total
- $251,925
-
Robert Dewey
Vice President, Government Relations
- Total calculated
- $241,508
- From this org
- $198,983
- From related orgs
- $96
- Other
- $42,429
- Hours/week
- 40 + 0.5 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $196,207 + $94 related
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $2,776 + $2 related
- Deferred
- $14,382 + $7 related
- Nontaxable benefits
- $28,027 + $13 related
- Filer's total
- $241,392 + $116 related
-
Julia Adams
Vice President, Conservation Law
- Total calculated
- $217,129
- From this org
- $189,039
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $28,090
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $188,121
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $918
- Deferred
- $13,405
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,685
- Filer's total
- $217,129
-
Shawn Cantrell
VP, Species Conservation & Coexistence
- Total calculated
- $209,513
- From this org
- $182,436
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $27,077
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $177,696
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $4,740
- Deferred
- $12,636
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,441
- Filer's total
- $209,513
-
Sharon Morris-Smith
Vice President, Human Resources
- Total calculated
- $207,982
- From this org
- $180,632
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $27,350
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $179,030
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $1,602
- Deferred
- $12,945
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,405
- Filer's total
- $207,982
-
Lindsay Rosa
VP, Conservation Research and Innovation
- Total calculated
- $179,764
- From this org
- $165,634
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $14,130
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $165,327
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $307
- Deferred
- $11,696
- Nontaxable benefits
- $2,434
- Filer's total
- $179,764
-
Alejandra Goyenechea
Senior Int'l Counsel (to 10/24)
- Total calculated
- $179,889
- From this org
- $147,680
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $32,209
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $101,448
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $46,232
- Deferred
- $7,853
- Nontaxable benefits
- $24,356
- Filer's total
- $179,889
-
Mary Beth Beetham
Director, Legislative Affairs
- Total calculated
- $167,982
- From this org
- $143,506
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $24,476
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $137,770
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $5,736
- Deferred
- $9,861
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,615
- Filer's total
- $167,982
-
Jane Davenport McClintock
Senior Attorney
- Total calculated
- $185,673
- From this org
- $141,785
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $43,888
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $140,448
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $1,337
- Deferred
- $10,817
- Nontaxable benefits
- $33,071
- Filer's total
- $185,673
-
Desiree Sorenson-Groves
Sr. Dir, Land Conservation (to 10/24)
- Total calculated
- $142,592
- From this org
- $140,921
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $1,671
- Hours/week
- 40
-
Lisa Marie Saltzburg
Senior Attorney
- Total calculated
- $158,152
- From this org
- $140,710
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $17,442
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $140,425
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $285
- Deferred
- $3,382
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,060
- Filer's total
- $158,152
-
Jamie Rappaport Clark
President and CEO (to 7/24)
- Total calculated
- $861,689
- From this org
- $820,725
- From related orgs
- $589
- Other
- $40,375
- Hours/week
- 40 + 0.5 related
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $607,495 + $585 related
- Bonus
- $208,750
- Other
- $4,480 + $4 related
- Deferred
- $36,804 + $35 related
- Nontaxable benefits
- $3,533 + $3 related
- Filer's total
- $861,062 + $627 related
-
James Laurence Stofan
SVP, Operations (to 9/24)
- Total calculated
- $267,366
- From this org
- $237,962
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $29,404
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $236,086
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $1,876
- Deferred
- $16,868
- Nontaxable benefits
- $12,536
- Filer's total
- $267,366
-
Elizabeth Nichols
VP, Finance & CFO (to 7/24)
- Total calculated
- $228,007
- From this org
- $204,707
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $23,300
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $203,943
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $764
- Deferred
- $14,401
- Nontaxable benefits
- $8,899
- Filer's total
- $228,007
Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.
Schedule J
Answered yes
- 3 · Compensation committee
- 3 · Independent compensation consultant
- 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
- 3 · Compensation survey or study
- 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
- 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
- 7 · Other non-fixed payments
Answered no
- 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
- 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
- 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
- 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
- 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
- 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
- 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception
The filer's explanations (Part III)
- Part I, Line 4a
- Alejandra Goyenechea received a severance of $45,904 during the calendar year 2024.
- Part I, Line 7
- The organization provides certain executives with non-fixed payments on the basis of performance. Reported bonus & incentive compensation for the former President & CEO reflects a one-time retention payment related to a planned leadership transition, as well as a prorated performance-based bonus earned during the year.
Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.
Grants on this return
-
County of Dare
$120,114
To re-fence to Dare County Transfer Station on Cub Road in Manns Harbor, NC.
-
Aris Land & Livestock LLC
$24,000
To assit with costs associated with efforts to avoid livestock depredation by wolves on allotment(s) on the Gila National Forest during spring/summer 2025 grazing season
-
$22,000
To assist with costs associated with the purchase of a 20ft shipping container for bear attractant containment on a location with a history of conflict with grizzly bears; To assist with costs associated with your Livestock Loss Prevention program
-
$21,186
Toward hiring contract labor to install wildlife-friendly, bison fencing for new acres of habitat acquired for the bison conservation herd of the Southern Plains Land Trust.
-
City of Hamilton
$20,110
14 bear-resistant trash enclosures to the city of Hamilton, Montana.
-
Tom Miner Basin Association
$19,000
To assist with costs associated with Livestock Loss Prevention Program and Bear Ranger Program.
-
KCK Investments LLC
$18,000
To assist with costs associated with efforts to prevent wildlife depredation by wolves on Centerfire allotment in Gila National Forest during the Winter/Spring 2025 grazing season
-
White Mountain Apache Tribe
$18,000
To further the Tribe's conservation goals to coexist with the Mexican gray wolves by funding range riders who will work with the tribe's Game and Fish Department and in coordination with tribal range managers and livestock associations to reduce wolf-livestock conflict.
-
$17,500
To assist with costs associated with your BeaverCorps program
-
To assist with costs associated with efforts to facilitate the Montana state subcommmittee of the Conflict Reduction Consortium and for a range rider to reduce wolf-livestock conflict on the Rocky Mountain Front
The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.
Related organizations on this return
Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.
-
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
501(c)(4) · Protecting wildlife, natural habitats, and the environment. · DC · controlled entity
Directly controlled by Defenders of Wildlife
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2024
- Filed
- 13 February 2026
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.5
- Source object
- 202600449349301320
Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.
The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.