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Nonprofiteer
← SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER.

Totals

Total revenue
$53,489,044
Total expenses
$40,519,983
Contributions and grants received
$45,327,569
Grants paid
$340,500
Program service revenue
$2,034,876
Investment income
$6,106,880
Other revenue
$19,719
Total assets, end of year
$213,324,163
Total liabilities, end of year
$15,475,548
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$197,848,615
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$33,972,413
Management and general expenses
$3,352,126
Fundraising expenses
$3,195,444
Program service expenses (Part III)
$33,972,413

Program services were 83.8% 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.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $7,245

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $45,320,324

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,161,447

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ATTORNEY FEES

    total $2,034,876 · related or exempt $2,034,876

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $3,442,423 · excluded $3,442,423

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $24,753,779

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

    securities $22,089,322

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $2,664,457

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $2,664,457 · excluded $2,664,457

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $19,719 · excluded $19,719

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $19,719

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $340,500 · program services $340,500

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,499,006 · program services $1,289,806 · management and general $899,467 · fundraising $309,733

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $18,327,614 · program services $15,222,683 · management and general $1,460,241 · fundraising $1,644,690

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,213,446 · program services $1,015,589 · management and general $83,889 · fundraising $113,968

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,741,571 · program services $1,422,607 · management and general $150,244 · fundraising $168,720

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,513,549 · program services $1,206,090 · management and general $165,081 · fundraising $142,378

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $158,746 · program services $158,746

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $107,333 · program services $107,333

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $128,850 · program services $128,850

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $14,465 · management and general $14,465

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $416,232 · program services $408,435 · fundraising $7,797

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $2,312,300 · program services $2,157,495 · management and general $8,065 · fundraising $146,740

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,086,152 · program services $961,390 · management and general $45,535 · fundraising $79,227

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $1,233,526 · program services $1,233,526

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $3,835,068 · program services $3,088,085 · management and general $401,151 · fundraising $345,832

  • 17 · Travel

    total $634,268 · program services $561,602 · management and general $27,537 · fundraising $45,129

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $487,867 · program services $421,703 · management and general $23,198 · fundraising $42,966

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $787,060 · program services $768,031 · management and general $10,217 · fundraising $8,812

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $167,528 · program services $141,379 · management and general $14,040 · fundraising $12,109

  • 24a · Other expenses: LITIGATION FUND

    total $2,305,883 · program services $2,305,883

  • 24b · Other expenses: REFERENCE MATERIALS

    total $382,996 · program services $283,307 · fundraising $99,689

  • 24c · Other expenses: CAPITAL PURCHASES

    total $362,800 · program services $331,514 · management and general $16,798 · fundraising $14,488

  • 24d · Other expenses: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP.

    total $189,669 · program services $174,739 · management and general $11,214 · fundraising $3,716

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $273,554 · program services $243,120 · management and general $20,984 · fundraising $9,450

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $100,159 · end of year $1,518,169

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $9,519,342 · end of year $6,237,364

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,350,000 · end of year $2,530,124

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    end of year $8,390

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $250,110 · end of year $549,764

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

    $7,556,018

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

    $3,449,890

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $4,265,194 · end of year $4,106,128

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $188,125,562 · end of year $184,999,424

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $13,527,319 · end of year $13,374,800

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,506,642 · end of year $948,788

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $13,792,775 · end of year $14,526,760

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $165,013,359 · end of year $181,045,568

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $36,824,910 · end of year $16,803,047

Mission and programs · 2022

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER IS TO PROTECT THE BASIC RIGHT TO CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, AND A LIVABLE CLIMATE; TO PRESERVE OUR REGION'S NATURAL TREASURES AND RICH BIODIVERSITY; AND TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SEE PART III LINE 1.

  • ENERGY AND AIR: GOALS - TO PROMOTE AND SECURE A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICY ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST THAT PROTECTS THE PEOPLE AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REGION, ENHANCES THE ECONOMY, AND MINIMIZES THE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC HARM OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND AIR POLLUTION, INCLUDING GREENHOUSE GASES. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC LITIGATES CASES TO REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL USE AND AIR POLLUTION, PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY, AND REDUCE CONSUMERS' ENERGY BILLS AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $15,110,734 · Grants $50,000

  • WATER: GOALS - TO PROTECT AND RESTORE WATER QUALITY AND WATER FLOW TO ENSURE SURFACE AND GROUND WATERS IN OUR REGION CAN MEET LONG-TERM HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL NEEDS. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC LITIGATES CASES TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER AND WATERWAYS FROM POLLUTION AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $8,275,080 · Revenue $2,007,001

  • COAST AND WETLANDS: GOALS - TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE WETLANDS AND HIGH PRIORITY COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS IN THE SOUTHEAST FOR THE BENEFIT OF WILDLIFE, MARINE LIFE, AND PEOPLE. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC LITIGATES CASES TO PROTECT WETLANDS, WILDLIFE AND MARINE LIFE AND TO SAFEGUARD COMMUNITIES FROM FLOODING AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $4,039,379

  • NATIONAL FORESTS AND PARKS: GOALS - TO ENSURE THAT SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN NATIONAL FORESTS ARE MANAGED PRIMARILY FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, CLEAN WATER, RECREATION AND SCENIC BEAUTY; AND TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS AND SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARKS. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC LITIGATES CASES TO PROTECT THE NATIONAL FORESTS AND PARKS AND THE PUBLIC RESOURCES THEREIN AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $1,888,928 · Grants $15,000

  • LAND AND COMMUNITY: GOALS- TO PROMOTE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES AND THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL AND RURAL AREAS, AND TO REDUCE REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND OTHER HARMFUL POLLUTANTS THROUGH SMARTER GROWTH AND MORE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. SELC LITIGATES CASES THAT PURSUE THESE GOALS TO THE BENEFIT OF THE REGIONS CITIZENS AND TO ENFORCE EXISITING LAWS AND REGULATION.

    Expenses $2,717,733 · Grants $275,500 · Revenue $27,875

  • WILDLIFE: GOALS - TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE SOUTH'S RICH BIODIVERSITY AND HABITATS. SELC LITIGATES CASES TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE REGION'S RICH BIODIVERSITY AND WILDLIFE HABITAT AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $1,823,653

  • CLIMATE: GOALS - TO LEAD A MULTI-FACETED EFFORT TO CONTROL EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES, PRESERVE AND EXPAND NATURE-BASED CARBON SEQUESTRATION, AND SUPPORT ADAPTATION OF THE SOUTH'S NATURAL SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS. SELC ACHIEVES THESE GOALS THROUGH ESTABLISHED PROGRAM AREAS, INCLUDING BY LITIGATING CASES TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $70,515

  • ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: GOALS - TO PARTNER WITH HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT ALL COMMUNITIES IN OUR REGION HAVE CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND THAT SELC'S PROGRAM AREAS INCORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK. SELC ACHIEVES THESE GOALS THROUGH ESTABLISHED PROGRAM AREAS, INCLUDING BY LITIGATING CASES TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

    Expenses $46,391

As filed on the 2022 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Jeffrey M Gleason - Ed

    PRES. (UNTIL 10/22), THEN SPEC. ADV.

    Total calculated
    $376,185
    From this org
    $344,456
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,729
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $344,456
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $30,419
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,310
    Filer's total
    $376,185
  • Dj Gerken - Program

    DIR. (UNTIL 10/22), THEN E.D. & PRES,

    Total calculated
    $287,700
    From this org
    $239,116
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,584
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $239,116
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,850
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,734
    Filer's total
    $287,700
  • Laura D Gates

    CHAIR OF THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    11
  • C Grey McLean

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Joel B Adams Jr

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    7
  • Marcia A Angle

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Dell S Brooke

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Cathy S Brown

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Wendy B Brown

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    7
  • Melvin T Davis

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • J Stephen Dockery III

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Laura B Fjeld

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6
  • Melanie P Grinney

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • James G Hanes III

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Phyllis Dk Hildreth

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Donald A Holzworth

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Deborah H Kennedy Kennard

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Allen M McCallie

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Edward M Miller

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Deaderick C Montague

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • Jean C Nelson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Charles W Patrick Jr

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Julie G Price

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • B Clayton Rolader

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    7
  • William H Schlesinger

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Zakiya A Seymour

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6
  • John Simpkins

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Thomas F Taft Sr

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Heath P Terry

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4
  • William L Want

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Holly L Hueston

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $237,962
    From this org
    $191,542
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,420
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $191,542
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $18,089
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,331
    Filer's total
    $237,962
  • Hayley M Parrish

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $124,530
    From this org
    $105,956
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,574
    Hours/week
    50
  • Marie Hawthorne

    DIR. OF ADVANCEMENT (UNTIL 10/22)

    Total calculated
    $298,553
    From this org
    $261,535
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,018
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $231,535
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $30,000
    Deferred
    $20,928
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,090
    Filer's total
    $298,553
  • John Suttles

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $269,752
    From this org
    $237,716
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,036
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $237,716
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,880
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,156
    Filer's total
    $269,752
  • Erin Malec

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

    Total calculated
    $216,976
    From this org
    $194,111
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,865
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $194,111
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $17,865
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,000
    Filer's total
    $216,976
  • Sarah Francisco

    DIRECTOR, VA OFFICE

    Total calculated
    $208,627
    From this org
    $172,816
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,811
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $172,816
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,201
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,610
    Filer's total
    $208,627
  • Gilbert Rogers

    DIRECTOR, GA OFFICE

    Total calculated
    $203,378
    From this org
    $170,233
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,145
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $170,233
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,435
    Nontaxable benefits
    $17,710
    Filer's total
    $203,378
  • Mary MacLean Asbill

    DIRECTOR, NC OFFICE

    Total calculated
    $203,304
    From this org
    $159,600
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,704
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $159,600
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,374
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,330
    Filer's total
    $203,304
  • Derb Carter

    SENIOR ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $282,522
    From this org
    $241,721
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,801
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $241,721
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,493
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,308
    Filer's total
    $282,522
  • Frank Holleman

    SENIOR LITIGATOR

    Total calculated
    $219,686
    From this org
    $175,443
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $44,243
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,443
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,459
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,784
    Filer's total
    $219,686
  • Barry Brock

    DIRECTOR, AL OFFICE

    Total calculated
    $202,123
    From this org
    $174,589
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,534
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $174,589
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,859
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,675
    Filer's total
    $202,123
  • David Carr

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $201,982
    From this org
    $176,061
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,921
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,061
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,717
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,204
    Filer's total
    $201,982
  • Nathaniel Mund

    DIR. OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS

    Total calculated
    $200,472
    From this org
    $178,971
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,501
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $178,971
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,345
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,156
    Filer's total
    $200,472

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 · 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

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
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 4A
MARIE HAWTHORNE RECEIVED A SEVERANCE PAYMENT OF $30,000 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

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2022
Filed
25 October 2023
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202302989349300040

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