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Center for Biological Diversity Inc

EIN 27-3943866 · Tucson, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INC, WORKS TO SECURE A FUTURE FOR ALL SPECIES, GREAT AND SMALL, HOVERING ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION. WE DO SO THROUGH SCIENCE, LAW AND CREATIVE MEDIA, WITH A FOCUS ON PROTECTING THE LANDS, WATERS AND CLIMATE THAT SPECIES NEED TO SURVIVE.

Income
$42.9 million
Spending
$40.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
274
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$389,811, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 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, 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 (5)
  1. $6.1 million spent. THE CENTER'S CLIMATE PROGRAM WORK TO REDUCE U.S. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND AIR POLLUTION TO PROTECT BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH. SOME OF THE PROGRAMS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2025 INCLUDE SECURING PROTECTIONS FOR SPECIES THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW IN ORDER TO REDUCE POLLUTION, ADVOCATING FOR NEW LAWS AND POLICIES TO REDUCE POLLUTION AND SPEED THE ADOPTION OF CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND EDUCATING AND MOBILIZING THE PUBLIC ON CLIMATE SCIENCE AND POLICY ISSUES.
  2. $4.7 million spent. THE CENTER'S ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM WORKS TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, PUBLIC EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES, AND LITIGATION. IT LEADS MANY PROTECTION CAMPAIGNS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGNS IN OTHER PROGRAMS.
  3. $5.0 million spent. THE CENTER'S PUBLIC LANDS LAW CENTER USES LEGAL ANALYSIS AND LITIGATION TO PROTECT AMERICA'S FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS, MOST OFTEN THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH THE CENTER'S REGIONAL PROGRAMS. IN 2025, WE WORKED TO PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS IN UTAH, ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, MONTANA, MINNESOTA, AND OTHER STATES FROM ILLEGAL LOGGING, MINING, LIVESTOCK GRAZING AND OTHER IMPACTS.
  4. $20.3 million spent. 1. URBAN WILDLANDS PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S URBAN WILDLANDS PROGRAM WORKS TO PROTECT OPEN SPACE AND WILDLIFE FROM INAPPRORPIATE DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT-ASSOCIATED IMPACTS, ESPECIALLY IN CALIFORNIA. IN 2025 WE CHALLENGED ILLEGAL AND UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, INCLUDING THEIR NEXUS WITH WILDFIRE CASUES AND THREATS. 2. OCEANS PROGRAM- IN 2025, THE CENTER'S OCEANS PROGRAM CONTINUED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN MARINE CONSERVATION. OUR ADVOCACY AIMED AT PREVENTING WHALE ENTANGLEMENTS IN FISHING GEAR, PROTECTING THE OCEANS FROM PLASTIC POLLUTION AND OIL SPILLS, AND SECURING ENDANGERED MARINE SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS PROTECTIONS. WE USED LAW, SCIENCE, ORGANIZING, AND COMMUNICATIONS TO PROTECT HEALTHY OCEANS AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES. 3. SOUTHWEST PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S SOUTHWEST PROGRAM WORKS TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND NORTHERN MEXICO. 4. POPULATION & SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S POPULATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND POLICYMAKERS ON THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HUMAN POPULATION PRESSURE, UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION, AND THE CLIMATE AND EXTINCTION CRISES, AND ADVOCATES FOR SOLUTIONS THAT ADVANCE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, EMPOWERMENT, CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION, AND JUST, HUMANE AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM. IN 2025, WE RELEASED WHITE PAPERS, POLICY AND OPINION PIECES ADVOCATING FOR A JUST FOOD TRANSITION, ANALYZED AND ADVOCATED FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN DIETARY GUIDLINES, AND ADVANCED FOOD CODE POLICY TO SUPPORT REUSE AND REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION. OUR TEAM ALSO ENGAGED ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND FOOD POLICY ISSUES AT THE LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, OFTEN WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS. 5. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROTECT GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY THROUGH U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS. IN 2025, WE SOUGHT U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR NUMEROUS SPECIES THREATENED BY INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMMERCE, WORKED TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HARMED IN VIOLATION OF THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT, SOUGHT GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR WILDLIFE IN NORTHERN MEXICO AND AT WORLD HERITAGE SITES ELSEWHERE. 6. CARNIVORE CONSERVATION PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S CARNIVORE CONSERVATION PROGRAM WON PROTECTIONS IN 2025 FOR ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT CARNIVORES AND THEIR HABITATS INCLUDING GREY WOLVES, RED WOLVES, MOUNTAIN LIONS, GRIZZLY BEARS, AND MARTENS. IT WON THE DESIGNATION AND PROTECTION OF FEDRAL CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS, FOUGHT AGAINST DAMAGING STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES, AND SUPPORTED PRO-CARNIVORE POLICIES. 7. THE CENTER HAD PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING: FLORIDA AND THE CARIBBEAN, THE GREAT BASIN, NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN ROCKIES, THE SOUTHEAST, AND HAWAII.
  5. 1. URBAN WILDLANDS PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S URBAN WILDLANDS PROGRAM WORKS TO PROTECT OPEN SPACE AND WILDLIFE FROM INAPPRORPIATE DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT-ASSOCIATED IMPACTS, ESPECIALLY IN CALIFORNIA. IN 2025 WE CHALLENGED ILLEGAL AND UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, INCLUDING THEIR NEXUS WITH WILDFIRE CASUES AND THREATS. 2. OCEANS PROGRAM- IN 2025, THE CENTER'S OCEANS PROGRAM CONTINUED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN MARINE CONSERVATION. OUR ADVOCACY AIMED AT PREVENTING WHALE ENTANGLEMENTS IN FISHING GEAR, PROTECTING THE OCEANS FROM PLASTIC POLLUTION AND OIL SPILLS, AND SECURING ENDANGERED MARINE SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS PROTECTIONS. WE USED LAW, SCIENCE, ORGANIZING, AND COMMUNICATIONS TO PROTECT HEALTHY OCEANS AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES. 3. SOUTHWEST PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S SOUTHWEST PROGRAM WORKS TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES IN ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND NORTHERN MEXICO. 4. POPULATION & SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S POPULATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND POLICYMAKERS ON THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HUMAN POPULATION PRESSURE, UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION, AND THE CLIMATE AND EXTINCTION CRISES, AND ADVOCATES FOR SOLUTIONS THAT ADVANCE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, EMPOWERMENT, CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION, AND JUST, HUMANE AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM. IN 2025, WE RELEASED WHITE PAPERS, POLICY AND OPINION PIECES ADVOCATING FOR A JUST FOOD TRANSITION, ANALYZED AND ADVOCATED FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN DIETARY GUIDLINES, AND ADVANCED FOOD CODE POLICY TO SUPPORT REUSE AND REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION. OUR TEAM ALSO ENGAGED ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND FOOD POLICY ISSUES AT THE LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, OFTEN WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS. 5. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM SEEKS TO PROTECT GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY THROUGH U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS. IN 2025, WE SOUGHT U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR NUMEROUS SPECIES THREATENED BY INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMMERCE, WORKED TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HARMED IN VIOLATION OF THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT, SOUGHT GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR WILDLIFE IN NORTHERN MEXICO AND AT WORLD HERITAGE SITES ELSEWHERE. 6. CARNIVORE CONSERVATION PROGRAM- THE CENTER'S CARNIVORE CONSERVATION PROGRAM WON PROTECTIONS IN 2025 FOR ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT CARNIVORES AND THEIR HABITATS INCLUDING GREY WOLVES, RED WOLVES, MOUNTAIN LIONS, GRIZZLY BEARS, AND MARTENS. IT WON THE DESIGNATION AND PROTECTION OF FEDRAL CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS, FOUGHT AGAINST DAMAGING STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES, AND SUPPORTED PRO-CARNIVORE POLICIES. 7. THE CENTER HAD PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING: FLORIDA AND THE CARIBBEAN, THE GREAT BASIN, NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN ROCKIES, THE SOUTHEAST, AND HAWAII.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 November 2011.

    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 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.