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National Environmental Policy and Law Center Inc

EIN 04-3099089 · Boston, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 66 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH AND LITIGATION IN THE GENERAL AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Income
$559,866
Spending
$850,405
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
38.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
6
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$139,810, clerk, director, litigation director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 66 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $619,086 spent. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER (NELC) IS A NON-PROFIT LITIGATION CENTER FOUNDED IN 1990 TO ENFORCE ANTI-POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAWS AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE NATIONS PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. NELC ATTORNEYS HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF BRINGING CORPORATE POLLUTERS TO JUSTICE. NELC WORKS CLOSELY WITH STATE AND LOCAL CITIZEN GROUPS, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL EXPERTISE TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. NELC HELPS THE PUBLIC TO SHAPE AND UPHOLD OUR CORE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, SERVING AS A MAJOR FORCE IN PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION. NELC ATTORNEYS CAREFULLY MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REPORT VIOLATIONS TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION, NELC DOES, WINNING COURT ORDERS THAT STOP ILLEGAL EMISSIONS AND THAT IMPOSE MONETARY PENALTIES FOR PAST VIOLATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.