Environmental Defense Center

What it reported doing in 2024

Land and water (issues regarding land, wildlife, rivers, creeks, and watersheds of the central coast, vulnerable and threatened wildlife and ecosystems, access and recreation for all, compatible with resource conservation): monitored process in opposition to city of solvang's application to drill new wells that threaten endangered steelhead in the santa ynez river; litigated challenge to u.s. Forest service's approval of logging project at reyes peak in the los padres national forest on appeal; secured improved flow regime in santa maria river below twitchell dam to improve wildlife habitat pending compliance with environmental laws and commented on related environmental review document; advocated for state water resources control board denial of the bureau of reclamation's petition for reconsideration regarding the requirement for a fish passage study regarding the operations of bradbury dam on lake cachuma; supported California fish and game commission listing of steelhead as endangered under the state endangered species act; continued efforts to preserve naples including advocacy before county zoning administrator and appeal to planning commission of approval of development and restoration plans; led creek surveys and cleanups; opposed sable offshore corporation's proposal to restart damaged pipeline system including investigation and work to enforce laws regarding illegal repairs that impacted coastal streams and wetlands; monitored and advocated for strong policies to protect sensitive habitats as part of the city of goleta's local coastal program.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 56.6%; rating input score 57
• Program expense ratio: 73.4%; rating input score 73
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.3 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 45.3%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 6.8; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 39.6%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.1% per year; rating input score 100; 40th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 11.4% per year; rating input score 100; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 15.6% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings