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Nonprofiteer
← ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER.

Totals

Total revenue
$7,255,463
Total expenses
$1,794,996
Contributions and grants received
$6,261,907
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$956,117
Investment income
-$101,956
Other revenue
$139,395
Total assets, end of year
$12,829,418
Total liabilities, end of year
$113,851
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$12,715,567
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$1,295,480
Management and general expenses
$251,018
Fundraising expenses
$248,498
Program service expenses (Part III)
$1,295,480

Program services were 72.2% 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.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $75,798

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $6,186,109

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $4,734,798

  • 2a · Program service revenue: LEGAL SERVICES

    total $956,117 · related or exempt $956,117

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $178,544 · excluded $178,544

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $617,445 · other assets $4,615,000

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

    securities $587,047 · other assets $4,925,898

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $30,398 · other assets -$310,898

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$280,500 · excluded -$280,500

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $315,042

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $75,798

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $175,647

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $139,395 · excluded $139,395

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $152,169 · program services $15,217 · management and general $68,476 · fundraising $68,476

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,008,066 · program services $854,837 · management and general $70,815 · fundraising $82,414

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $151,522 · program services $113,764 · management and general $18,120 · fundraising $19,638

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $87,618 · program services $65,714 · management and general $10,514 · fundraising $11,390

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $43,980 · program services $35,184 · management and general $4,398 · fundraising $4,398

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $40,633 · management and general $40,633

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $102,046 · program services $76,946 · management and general $8,833 · fundraising $16,267

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $14,284 · fundraising $14,284

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $35,347 · program services $26,510 · management and general $4,242 · fundraising $4,595

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $27,635 · program services $21,261 · management and general $3,102 · fundraising $3,272

  • 17 · Travel

    total $15,067 · program services $13,565 · management and general $751 · fundraising $751

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $14,622 · program services $10,967 · management and general $1,755 · fundraising $1,900

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $24,906 · program services $9,681 · management and general $14,015 · fundraising $1,210

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES & PUBLICATIONS

    total $21,407 · program services $17,125 · management and general $2,141 · fundraising $2,141

  • 24b · Other expenses: FUNDRAISING

    total $13,568 · fundraising $13,568

  • 24c · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $12,884 · program services $9,881 · management and general $1,984 · fundraising $1,019

  • 24d · Other expenses: PRINTING & COPYING

    total $6,103 · program services $3,967 · management and general $122 · fundraising $2,014

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $23,139 · program services $20,861 · management and general $1,117 · fundraising $1,161

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $23,914 · end of year $23,231

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,666,611 · end of year $651,945

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $47,320 · end of year $169,010

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $8,485 · end of year $0

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

    $882,672

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

    $459,593

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $437,701 · end of year $423,079

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $4,559,397 · end of year $11,562,153

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $99,230 · end of year $108,235

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $6,383 · end of year $5,616

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,241,083 · end of year $10,962,408

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,396,732 · end of year $1,753,159

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE ORGANIZATION PROTECTS AND ENHANCES THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND LEGAL ACTION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SINCE 1977 WE HAVE EMPOWERED COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. OUR PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDE CLIMATE AND ENERGY, OPEN SPACE AND WILDLIFE, CLEAN WATER AND SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL. WE PRIMARILY WORK WITHIN SANTA BARBARA, VENTURA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES. EDC IS ORGANIZED AS A SEC. 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT CORPORATION, AND PROVIDES LEGAL COUNSEL TO OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. WE REMAIN THE ONLY SUCH PUBLIC INTEREST ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FIRM BETWEEN LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO, AND THRIVE ON THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM WITHIN OUR REGION AND BEYOND.

  • SANTA BARBARA CHANNEL (ISSUES REGARDING OCEAN WATER QUALITY, CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK AND MARINE SANCTUARY, OFFSHORE OIL AND WIND DEVELOPMENT, MARINE MAMMALS AND OTHER WILDLIFE, MARINE PROTECTED AREAS [MPAS]): SUBMITTED PETITIONS FOR NEW AND EXPANDED MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AND SUPPORTED THEM BEFORE THE CA FISH AND GAME COMISSION; WORKED TO REDUCE IMPACTS OF SHIP STRIKES THROUGH VESSEL SPEED REDUCTIONS, INCLUDING SUPPORTING AB 2298; SUPPORTED DESIGNATION OF THE PROPOSED CHUMASH HERITAGE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY; SOUGHT THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REGARDING THE IMPACTS OF OFFSHORE WIND AND PARTICIPATED IN CA ENERGY COMISSION OFFSHORE WIND STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS; PARTICIPATED IN BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT PROCESS REGARDING PLATFORM DECOMMISSIONING TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES; PARTICIPATED IN CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION PROCESS REGARDING ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCES TO EVALUATE IMPACTS OF EXISTING OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS; HELPED ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF AQUACULTURE ARE ADDRESSED.

    Expenses $323,870 · Revenue $239,029

  • OPEN SPACE AND WILDLIFE PRESERVATION (ISSUES REGARDING ENDANGERED SPECIES, HABITATS, WATERSHEDS, AGRICULTURAL AND OPEN SPACE LANDS): OPPOSED CITY OF SOLVANGS APPLICATION TO DRILL NEW WELLS THAT THREATEN ENDANGERED STEELHEAD IN THE SANTA YNEZ RIVER; LITIGATED CHALLENGE TO U.S. FOREST SERVICES APPROVAL OF LOGGING PROJECT AT REYES PEAK IN THE LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST ON APPEAL; REACHED A FAVORABLE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT DIRECTING THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TO CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN SUPPORT OF OPERATING TWITCHELL DAM IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT; CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PRESERVE NAPLES AND MORE MESA; LED CREEK SURVEYS AND CLEANUPS; MONITORED DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST SERVICE LOGGING PROJECT IN LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST; SUPPORTED THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARAS DENIAL OF RANCHO LA LAGUNAS SUBDIVISION PROJECT AS A PARTY IN LITIGATION; SUPPORTED SANTA BARBARA LAFCO DENIAL OF THE CITY OF LOMPOCS PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF BAILEY AVENUE FARMLAND.

    Expenses $259,096 · Revenue $191,223

  • CLIMATE AND ENERGY (ISSUES REGARDING OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, RENEWABLE ENERGY): WORKED TO DEFEND THE DENIAL OF EXXONMOBIL PROPOSAL TO TRUCK OIL AND PREVENT RENEWED OFFSHORE OIL PRODUCTION THROUGH COUNTY PROCESS AND IN COURT; OPPOSED PROPOSAL TO REPLACE OR REPAIR DAMAGED PLAINS PIPELINE AND ENSURE ADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS; OPPOSED EXXONMOBIL/PACIFIC PIPELINE COMPANY PIPELINE VALVE PROJECT; PARTICIPATED IN PROCESS REGARDNG TRANSFER OF THE PERMIT FOR THE PLAINS PIPELINES FROM PLAINS ALL AMERICAN PIPELINE COMPANY TO AN EXXONMOBIL SUBSIDIARY, PACIFIC PIPELINE COMPANY; PARTICIPATED IN PROCESS REGARDING OIL COMPANIES PETITION FOR CERTIORARI IN EDC V. BOEM (OFFSHORE FRACKING LITIGATION); INVESTIGATED APPLICATION OF GENERAL CONSERVATION PLAN FOR OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY; SUPPORTED SB 1304 (AQUIFER EXEMPTIONS) TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF SAFE DRINKING WATER; SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO CALGEM TO SUPPORT PROPOSED PHASE-OUT OF WELL STIMULATION TREATMENTS.

    Expenses $518,192 · Revenue $382,447

  • CLEAN WATER (POLLUTED DISCHARGES, STORMWATER RUNOFF, SAFE DRINKING WATER): SUPPORTED SB 1304 (AQUIFER EXEMPTIONS) TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF SAFE DRINKING WATER; OPPOSED PROPOSAL TO REPLACE OR REPAIR DAMAGED PLAINS PIPELINE AND ENSURE ADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

    Expenses $194,322 · Revenue $143,418

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Richard Francis

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Diane Wondolowski Left 1223

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Jim Salzman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Rob Tadlock

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Vijaya Jammalamadaka

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Leanne Schlinger

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sabrina Venskus

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Gerardo Ayala

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Lauren Trujillo

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • David Powdrell

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Jai Ranganathan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Alex Katz

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $120,729
    From this org
    $120,729
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Linda Krop

    CHIEF COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $221,310
    From this org
    $194,969
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,341
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $194,969
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,757
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,584
    Filer's total
    $221,310

  • Margaret Hall

    DEPUTY CHIEF COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $140,262
    From this org
    $114,989
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,273
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kathleen Weber

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $126,793
    From this org
    $112,385
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,408
    Hours/week
    40

  • Rachel Kondor

    STAFF ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $107,201
    From this org
    $102,993
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,208
    Hours/week
    40

  • Brian Trautwein

    SENIOR ANALYST

    Total calculated
    $120,934
    From this org
    $101,930
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,004
    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. 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 survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 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 3
THE BOARD REVIEWS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF COUNSEL COMPENSATION ANNUALLY.

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

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
11 February 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202540489349301094

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