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Consultative Group on Biological Diversity

EIN 13-3431076 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our vision is of a just, healthy, and sustainable future for all life on Earth, supported by an effective philanthropic sector.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
12
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$250,374, exec director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 58% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $1.5 million spent. Biodiversity Funders Group (BFG core)The core focus of BFG is to concentrate on works related to facilitation and relationship building advancing biodiversity conservation on a variety of fronts promoting the global sustainability of terrestrial (Land and Freshwater Program - LFWP) and marine (Marine Conservation Program) ecosystems, while seeking to mitigate the effects of climate change, toxic materials, invasive species, untrammeled development, and other threats to fragile ecosystems worldwide (Global Conservation program). BFG hosted dozens of webinars and other convenings.
  2. $614,839 spent. CLIMATE AND ENERGY FUNDERS GROUP (CEFG)CEFG is a network of foundations that support organizations working on climate and clean energy issues. its mission is to create a strong and effective funding community committed to combating climate change and building a just, global clean energy economy. The CEFG supports working groups on Midwest climate and clean energy funding. these groups meet through calls and in person (when safe to do so). a monthly news digest highlights subjects of interest to funders. an active program of webinars keeps funders current on issues.
  3. $205,257 spent. MEXICO CONSERVATION FUNDERS (MCF)MCF fosters a funding community committed to the conservation and resilience of ecosystems in Mexico, with a focus on coastal-marine biodiversity and natural systems, recognizing the critical linkages between land and sea, and the potential synergies among national and local level initiatives.
  4. $134,233 spent. FUNDERS OF THE AMAZON BASIN (FAB)FAB is a learning group comprised of private, grantmaking foundations that share strategies and lessons learned in order to become more effective grantmakers in the Andes-Amazon region.
  5. $44,036 spent. CHILE CONSERVATION FUNDERS (CCF)CCF promotes and facilitates coordinated, strategic grant making among funders who support conservation work in Chile through their grant making.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.