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Nonprofiteer
← WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$31,015,734
Total expenses
$28,586,705
Contributions and grants received
$2,638,636
Grants paid
$302,008
Program service revenue
$26,905,352
Investment income
$724,504
Other revenue
$747,242
Total assets, end of year
$52,285,827
Total liabilities, end of year
$25,423,746
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$26,862,081
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$21,268,475
Management and general expenses
$7,318,230
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$21,268,475

Program services were 74.4% 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)

    $652,759

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $1,985,877

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Annual Conference

    total $19,120,119 · related or exempt $18,383,027 · unrelated business $737,092

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Membership Dues

    total $3,860,289 · related or exempt $3,860,289

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Publications & Subs

    total $1,871,900 · related or exempt $503,120 · unrelated business $1,368,780

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Technical Prog & Sem

    total $1,718,165 · related or exempt $1,699,128 · unrelated business $19,037

  • 2e · Program service revenue: Website Advertising

    total $261,437 · unrelated business $151,314 · excluded $110,123

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $73,442 · related or exempt $73,442

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $763,824 · excluded $763,824

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $191,480 · excluded $191,480

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $722,673

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

    securities $715,025 · other assets $46,968

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $7,648 · other assets -$46,968

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$39,320 · excluded -$39,320

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $598,161

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $200,217

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $397,944 · related or exempt $397,944

  • 11a · Other revenue: Escrow/Settlement

    total $125,000 · excluded $125,000

  • 11b · Other revenue: Management Fees

    total $25,000 · excluded $25,000

  • 11c · Other revenue: Miscellaneous Revenue

    total $7,818 · excluded $7,818

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $157,818

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $145,985 · program services $145,985

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $113,557 · program services $113,557

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $42,466 · program services $42,466

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $739,534 · program services $538,183 · management and general $201,351

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $9,090,748 · program services $6,615,634 · management and general $2,475,114

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $565,664 · program services $411,652 · management and general $154,012

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,062,780 · program services $773,419 · management and general $289,361

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $735,273 · program services $535,082 · management and general $200,191

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $132,772 · management and general $132,772

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $50,077 · management and general $50,077

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $55,673 · management and general $55,673

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,720,627 · program services $2,099,894 · management and general $620,733

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $21,837 · program services $21,047 · management and general $790

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,274,449 · program services $795,192 · management and general $479,257

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $1,749,034 · program services $1,316,562 · management and general $432,472

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $324,629 · program services $272,021 · management and general $52,608

  • 17 · Travel

    total $976,457 · program services $653,502 · management and general $322,955

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $5,325,723 · program services $4,938,652 · management and general $387,071

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $781,811 · program services $592,214 · management and general $189,597

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $583,525 · program services $498,048 · management and general $85,477

  • 24a · Other expenses: Publications

    total $1,721,880 · program services $557,545 · management and general $1,164,335

  • 24b · Other expenses: Water Sampler Expense

    total $70,506 · program services $67,956 · management and general $2,550

  • 24c · Other expenses: Sponsorships

    total $51,312 · program services $45,349 · management and general $5,963

  • 24d · Other expenses: Dues and subscriptions

    total $30,382 · program services $29,283 · management and general $1,099

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $220,004 · program services $205,232 · management and general $14,772

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,200 · end of year $0

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $14,652,629 · end of year $18,284,016

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $934,276 · end of year $120,308

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $650,302 · end of year $629,778

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $139,978 · end of year $110,341

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $2,328,520 · end of year $3,363,219

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

    $11,226,320

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

    $8,138,777

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $3,574,136 · end of year $3,087,543

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $23,661,527 · end of year $26,428,036

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $103,032 · end of year $48,923

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $397,332 · end of year $213,663

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,898,745 · end of year $3,259,450

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $20,564,971 · end of year $21,918,635

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $476,491 · end of year $245,661

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $22,504,725 · end of year $26,602,663

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $259,418

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

WEF's mission is inspiring the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being. WEF is a global environmental leader committed to water quality education and technical best practices. WEF connects water professionals; enriches the expertise of water professionals; increases the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provides a platform for water section innovation.

Activities or mission (Part I)

See Schedule O

  • WEFTEC is the most comprehensive gathering of water quality professionals and thought leaders, featuring the sector's leading technical education program; an extensive exhibition showcasing the field's most cutting-edge solutions; and a variety of valuable networking opportunities. WEFTEC provides access to the latest technologies, services and products for those looking to design, build, maintain, or upgrade water management systems and programs.

    Expenses $7,017,258 · Grants $13,219 · Revenue $18,383,027

  • Technical Programs, Seminars, and Workshops - As the leading source of water quality expertise, WEF is committed to advancing the professional workforce development of the water sector through educational seminars and workshops that focus on environmental, sustainability, and public health topics. WEF provides education to water professionals from over 70 countries at WEFTEC as well as at WEF's specialty conferences. WEF's educational content includes all areas of water resources management, including utility management and operations, collection systems, stormwater, water and wastewater treatment, and biosolids. WEF's commitment to the sustainable development goals focus on safe, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation, innovation and a circular economy. WEF provides in-depth education on biological hazards to wastewater operators through virtual workshops and public health communications platforms, and provided a free update to a manual of practice on safety and security of water resource recovery facilities.

    Expenses $5,685,108 · Grants $11,200 · Revenue $1,699,128

  • Public Outreach & Advocacy - WEF's public outreach and advocacy programs encompass a broad range of activities intended to better inform the public and policy leaders of critical issues and the vital role water resources play in the everyday lives of citizens. These programs include coordinating all interviews and meetings with media/news outlets, writing and dissemination of all society news releases, training society leaders and members in public communications and effective media relations, providing communications counsel to the Federation's various member associations. WEF's water advocates program empowers WEF members to share knowledge and expertise to inform government decision-makers about the importance of water. Water advocates program helps grassroots communities all of the US speak with a united voice for water to reach out to and connect with elected officials on important water quality issues including aging infrastructure, affordability, and continued economic pressures which have put unprecedented stress on local governments and agencies that provide essential water services.

    Expenses $2,867,795 · Grants $100,869 · Revenue $73,442

  • Membership Services - Handles customer service operations, membership recruitment and retention, and engagement with customers, members, member associations and affiliated organizations.

    Expenses $2,393,945 · Grants $176,720 · Revenue $3,860,289

  • Publications and Subscriptions - WEF publishes technical and educational magazines, newsletters, books, technical reports, fact sheets, conference proceedings, and training materials. Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) is the publication professionals read to learn about the latest technologies, trends, and news in water quality. Members receive it monthly as a membership benefit. In addition, the publication is sold on a subscription basis to libraries and other water professionals. WEF publishes digital newsletters, WEFTEC Now and WEF Smartbrief. WEF also publishes Water Environment Research, a peer-reviewed research journal, in partnership with Wiley. WEF publishes an extensive range of peer-reviewed manuals of practice, textbooks, and supplemental texts for classroom use as well as a comprehensive operator training series titled Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals. This training series includes manuals, trainer's kits, companion online training, and study guides. WEF co-publishes Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater with the American Public Health Association and the American Water Works Association. WEF's conference proceedings, magazine features, technical reports, fact sheets, books, and training materials are published on Access Water, WEF's online library.

    Expenses $2,651,607 · Revenue $503,120

  • Grants & Contracts - Includes funds used to provide subject matter expertise in the development and updating of multiple wastewater unified facility criteria and unified facility guide specs. CDC funds were received to set up a community of practice for correctional facility wastewater surveillance.

    Expenses $652,762 · Revenue $598,161

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Ifetayo Venner

    Past President (thru 10/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Aimee Killeen Presthru 1024

    Past Pres (thru 10/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Howard Carter Pres-Elect

    (thru 10/24), Pres (thru 10/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Keith Hobson VPthru 1024

    Pres-Elect (thru 10/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Paul Schuler

    Vice President (as of 10/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Christine Volkay-Hilditch

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Janet Cann

    Trustee (through 10/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Tracy Ekola

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Walid Khoury

    Trustee (as of 10/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Brian Persing

    Trustee (as of 10/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Diego Rosso

    Trustee (thru 10/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Stephen Sanders

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Kalpna Solanki

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Corey Williams

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Ralph Exton Starting 0724

    Secretary & WEF Executive Director

    Total calculated
    $220,542
    From this org
    $201,422
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,120
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,372
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $50
    Deferred
    $10,015
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,105
    Filer's total
    $220,542

  • Karen Powderly

    Chief Financal Officer

    Total calculated
    $232,428
    From this org
    $209,131
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,297
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,081
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $50
    Deferred
    $14,655
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,642
    Filer's total
    $232,428

  • Jonathan K Ikeda

    Chief Mission Officer

    Total calculated
    $238,571
    From this org
    $223,058
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,513
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $213,008
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $50
    Deferred
    $15,457
    Nontaxable benefits
    $56
    Filer's total
    $238,571

  • Raymond Bianchi

    Managing Dir., Business Development

    Total calculated
    $213,152
    From this org
    $180,543
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,609
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $179,993
    Bonus
    $500
    Other
    $50
    Deferred
    $10,536
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,073
    Filer's total
    $213,152

  • Stephanie Jones

    Managing Dir., Event Strategy

    Total calculated
    $200,195
    From this org
    $179,170
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,025
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $179,120
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $50
    Deferred
    $12,448
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,577
    Filer's total
    $200,195

  • Kathleen Waugh Ending 0624

    Chief Operating Officer

    Total calculated
    $174,779
    From this org
    $158,762
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,017
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $148,762
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,065
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,952
    Filer's total
    $174,779

  • Catherine LThomson

    Sr. Director, Information Technology

    Total calculated
    $234,024
    From this org
    $225,079
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,945
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $124,100
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $100,979
    Deferred
    $8,595
    Nontaxable benefits
    $350
    Filer's total
    $234,024

  • Lorna EJ Ernst

    Managing Dir., Publishing

    Total calculated
    $233,180
    From this org
    $213,654
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,526
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $105,905
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $107,749
    Deferred
    $7,728
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,798
    Filer's total
    $233,180

  • Renee M Kayal

    Managing Dir., Governance

    Total calculated
    $218,071
    From this org
    $209,888
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,183
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $111,079
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $98,809
    Deferred
    $7,835
    Nontaxable benefits
    $348
    Filer's total
    $218,071

  • Cari F McBride

    Account Manager

    Total calculated
    $231,952
    From this org
    $201,697
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,255
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $41,340
    Bonus
    $160,307
    Other
    $50
    Deferred
    $14,370
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,885
    Filer's total
    $231,952

  • Nancy Cornwell

    Dir., Facilities Management

    Total calculated
    $218,790
    From this org
    $201,087
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,703
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $96,463
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $104,624
    Deferred
    $5,471
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,232
    Filer's total
    $218,790

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 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 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
Some Highly Compensated Employees received severance payments during calendar year 2024, which were properly reported on those employees' 2024 W2s and Part VII/Sch J of F990. The terms of the severance payment are confidential and subject to disclosure to the IRS upon request.
Part I, Line 5
Cari F. McBride received $160,307 as sales commissions during calendar year 2024.

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
2024
Filed
19 March 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202620839349300212

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