Environmental Grantmakers Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
EGA is a member network that supports environmental philanthropy for collective impact for people and planet. EGA works with its members and partners to promote effective environmental philanthropy by sharing knowledge, fostering debate, cultivating leadership, facilitating collaboration, and catalyzing action. What unites EGA members is a commitment to a world with healthy, equitable, and sustainable ecosystems, communities, and economies.
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $4.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 20
- Highest pay
- $278,677, president
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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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 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 (1)
- $3.3 million spent. The Environmental Grantmakers Association was formed in 1987 following a meeting of environmental funders in Washington, DC to discuss common interests and to learn about each others programs. As a result of the enthusiasm generated at the meeting, 12 member foundations from across the United States made plans for future gatherings, exchanged grants lists, and published a directory of foundation program interests. Subsequent meetings reaffirmed the groups interest in facilitating increased communication among grantmakers through EGA. Over 35 years later, our membership spans more than 230 foundations, donor and giving programs, from large and small in terms of giving level and staff size, and includes multiple types of foundations that are concerned with protecting the environment. In 2024 our programs operate in service of member needs for learning, leading and connection. Highlights include the launch of a groundbreaking fellowship and expanded training and capacity building.EGA's strategic focus is its member mandate for impact on race equity. EGA is a member association of grantmakers that offers impactful annual programming for environmntal foundations. Inside Philanthropy routinely cites EGA as a top Philanthrophy Serving Organizations that keeping environmental philanthropy going and growing!United Philanthropy Forum Racial Equity Capacity Assessment detrmine that EGAs internal and external racial equity practices are at the leading edge, and are best in class offering innovative and sector driving activites and programs.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.