Natural Resources Council Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Natural Resources Council of Maine is the state's leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and conserving Maine's environment, now and for future generations. Since 1959, NRCM has harnessed the power of the law, science, and the voices of nearly 20,000 supporters statewide and beyond to protect the places and way of life that make Maine so special.
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 48.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 37
- Volunteers
- 22
- Highest pay
- $139,506, sr. director of communications
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 48.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $336,363 spent. Outreach: NRCM's outreach team engages our supporters and the public using a diverse array of tools. In addition to providing strategic outreach for our advocacy programs and issue campaigns, we focus on values-based, transformational organizing and leadership development to protect Maine's environment. With increased staff capacity in Franklin County, we are committed to building lasting relationships and partnerships with individuals and local organizations across that region. Through our digital outreach, NRCM communicates with our members, supporters, policy makers, and the public using email updates and calls to action, virtual and in-person meetings and events, and social media to advance our mission and meet the goals of our advocacy programs.
- $754,915 spent. Climate & Clean Energy: NRCM is a leader in advocating for policies to reduce the threat of climate change and promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. We are working with state officials and agencies, scientists and technical experts, legislators, community leaders, state and national environmental organizations, and many other allies to build momentum for deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a rapid transition to a clean energy grid that powers Maine's businesses, homes, transportation, and heating systems.
- $552,513 spent. Communications: NRCM communicates with our members, supporters, policy makers, and the public using email updates, single-issue reports, direct mail, radio, videos, social media, and our website. The wide range of tools we regularly use advances our mission and helps to meet the goals of our programs.
- $1.2 million spent. Sustainable Maine: Tapping into the state's strong tradition of local action, NRCM takes a practical, collaborative approach to addressing environmental problems faced by Maine people, businesses, and communities, particularly to prevent and better manage waste. NRCM seeks to achieve systemic changes in policies and practices at the local and state levels to reduce the environmental impacts of daily living. NRCM has helped achieve many first-in-the-nation policies to reduce plastic, packaging, and difficult-to-manage materials and works to ensure that corporations responsible for generating waste become part of the solution for recycling, reduced packaging, and design changes in products. Healthy Waters: NRCM plays a critical role in preventing pollution to Maine waterways and advocating for policies to improve the health of our rivers, lakes, and streams, as well as the communities, wildlife, and fisheries that depend upon those waters. NRCM focuses on removal of obsolete dams that block fish migration, preventing toxic pollution such as mineral mining, and watchdogging permit applications and policy proposals that could threaten Maine waters.State House Advocacy: NRCM is Maine's leading environmental advocate at the State House, using its policy advocates and outreach staff to track and influence dozens of bills each legislative session. NRCM drafts legislation and amendments, testifies before multiple committees, works with coalitions on legislative strategies, and provides education to elected officials as they seek passage of important legislative proposals across a range of issues.Forests & Wildlife: NRCM works to protect Maine's natural areas, wildlife habitat, and the undeveloped character of Maine's North Woods. We support responsible land development and sustainable forest practices that protect sensitive ecosystems and habitat. We also advocate for increased public ownership of Maine lands to improve access to the natural world for Maine people and visitors. While development pressures and the loss of public access continue to intensify, NRCM remains a leading voice for balancing economic development with conservation, especially in Maine's iconic North Woods.Federal: Decisions made in Washington, D.C., have lasting effects on Maine's clean air and water, thriving forests and wildlife, and on the health of Maine people, its economy, and its way of life. NRCM works directly with Maine's Congressional delegation and with a broad coalition of national environmental organizations and in-state allies to help ensure that policy decisions in Washington contribute to the protection of Maine's environment.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Natural Resources Defense Council Inc (New York, NY), EIN 13-2654926. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.