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← SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$31,947,339
Total expenses
$53,130,891
Contributions and grants received
$29,303,522
Grants paid
$44,382,392
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$2,086,648
Other revenue
$557,169
Total assets, end of year
$191,559,701
Total liabilities, end of year
$26,958,513
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$164,601,188
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$44,619,601
Management and general expenses
$1,681,754
Fundraising expenses
$6,829,536
Program service expenses (Part III)
$44,619,601

Program services were 84.0% 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.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $29,303,522

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $674,000

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,143,213 · excluded $1,143,213

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $20,894,692

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $19,951,257

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $943,435

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $943,435 · excluded $943,435

  • 11a · Other revenue: SOFTWARE COST REIMBURSEMENT

    total $550,042 · excluded $550,042

  • 11b · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $7,127 · excluded $7,127

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $557,169

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $44,382,392 · program services $44,382,392

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $658,905 · program services $97,876 · management and general $560,555 · fundraising $474

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $320,572 · program services $47,619 · management and general $272,722 · fundraising $231

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $187,912 · program services $27,913 · management and general $159,864 · fundraising $135

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $80,155 · program services $11,907 · management and general $68,190 · fundraising $58

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $120,081 · management and general $120,081

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $107,613 · program services $34,856 · management and general $72,757

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $128,000 · management and general $128,000

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $104,039 · management and general $104,039

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $9,522 · management and general $9,522

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $52,195 · program services $2,522 · management and general $49,672 · fundraising $1

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $550,268 · fundraising $550,268

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $46,654 · program services $4,665 · management and general $41,979 · fundraising $10

  • 17 · Travel

    total $34,044 · program services $3,404 · management and general $30,633 · fundraising $7

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $2,077 · management and general $2,077

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $4,606 · program services $461 · management and general $4,144 · fundraising $1

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $49,512 · program services $4,951 · management and general $44,550 · fundraising $11

  • 24a · Other expenses: FUNDRAISING REIMB.

    total $6,000,000 · fundraising $6,000,000

  • 24b · Other expenses: OTHER/SOFTWARE LICENSE

    total $288,684 · program services $1,035 · management and general $9,309 · fundraising $278,340

  • 24c · Other expenses: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

    total $3,660 · management and general $3,660

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $27,646,611 · end of year $14,798,712

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $23,133,908 · end of year $17,390,822

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $2,907,049 · end of year $425,750

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $269,434 · end of year $442,727

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $5,228,031 · end of year $6,390,822

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $999,490 · end of year $408,311

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $237,305

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $135,191

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $106,719 · end of year $102,114

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $88,182,245 · end of year $86,999,779

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $34,106,042 · end of year $35,355,057

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $28,089,643 · end of year $29,245,607

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,207,034 · end of year $244,332

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $10,829,564 · end of year $9,146,483

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $16,984,273 · end of year $17,567,698

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $77,387,519 · end of year $69,562,864

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $103,260,782 · end of year $95,038,324

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

SEE SCHEDULE O.THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION PROMOTES EFFORTS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT.GOALS: - SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS PRIMARILY THROUGH A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A RESOURCE-EFFICIENT CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY THAT BETTER SERVES PEOPLE AND NATURE;- SECURE PROTECTIONS FOR PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS, PROMOTE HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES, AND FIGHT FOR CLEAN AIR AND WATER;- EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND PROTECT THE PLANET BY SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT REACH ACROSS ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, AND COMMUNITY LINES TO GET PEOPLE OUTDOORS; AND- BUILD A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT THAT REFLECTS AND REPRESENTS TODAY'S AMERICAN PUBLIC, AND PRIORITIZES IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

EDUCATE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT.

  • CHAPTER AND GROUP EDUCATION PROJECT - THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE STATE AND LOCAL CHAPTERS AND GROUPS OF THE SIERRA CLUB IN THEIR WORK TO ADVANCE ALL OF THE SIERRA CLUB'S STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK GOALS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, ORGANIZING, ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY, COMMUNICATIONS, LITIGATION, AND OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. THE SPECIFIC GOALS ARE TO ENABLE LOCAL GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES; DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT; INFORM THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF LOCAL INTEREST; ENGAGE IN PUBLIC INTEREST LAWSUITS; AND GROW A BROADER BASE OF VOLUNTEERS AND LEADERS CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY-INSPIRED AND-LED PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES TO DEVELOP AND ENHANCE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO NATURE.

    Expenses $11,621,706 · Grants $11,621,706

  • BEYOND COAL - THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO REVERSE THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE BY DECARBONIZING THE ELECTRIC GRID BY 80 PERCENT BY 2030. THE PROGRAM'S SPECIFIC GOALS - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS - ARE TO HELP TRANSITION AGING AND UNECONOMIC COAL PLANTS TOWARDS CLEANER ALTENATIVES THAT ALSO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $8,614,895 · Grants $8,614,895

  • NATIONAL EDUCATION PROJECT - THIS PROJECT EDUCATES, ENGAGES, AND MOBILIZES THE PUBLIC IN ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY ABOUT A RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO ADVANCE THE SIERRA CLUB'S STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK; PROVIDES PROGRAM, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT THE CHARITABLE PROJECTS OF THE SIERRA CLUB; AND WORKS IN COALITION AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS TO ADVANCE OUTCOMES AT THE INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE, SOCIAL, AND RACIAL JUSTICE. IT IS A PROJECT THROUGH WHICH THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION WORKS TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT.

    Expenses $5,212,368 · Grants $5,212,368

  • THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF ADDITIONAL GRANTS TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE, EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY AND LEGAL ENDEAVORS THAT FURTHER ITS CHARITABLE MISSION.

    Expenses $19,170,632 · Grants $18,933,423

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Robin Mann

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Eva Kathleen Schulte

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Kathleen Simpson

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Rebekah Saul Butler

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Mark Walters

    MEMBER-AT-LARGE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • Allison Chin

    DIRECTOR (THRU 5/30/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Gabe Gonzalez

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Peter Liu

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Christian Okoye

    DIRECTOR (THRU 5/30/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sanjay Ranchod

    DIRECTOR (THRU 3/7/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paul Rissman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steph Speirs

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mahlet Getachew

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jon Carson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ross MacFarlane

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Patrick Murphy

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Stacey Faella

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dan Chu

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kevin McGahan

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Agana Moreno

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jennie Palmer

    DIR. OF ADMIN & BOARD RELATIONS

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

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.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS (33)

    T · INVESTMENT · CA · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION

  • POOLED INCOME FUNDS (2)

    T · INVESTMENT · CA · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION

  • GIFT ANNUITY POOLS (1)

    T · INVESTMENT · CA · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
31 March 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.1
Source object
202620919349300112

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