Earthworks
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Earthworks is dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mineral and energy development while seeking sustainable solutions.
- Income
- $12.2 million
- Spending
- $9.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $217,590, executive director
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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, 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 (3)
- $3.4 million spent. The Energy Program includes our work on oil, gas and petrochemicals. This program works to change federal, state, and local government policy and to support and empower communities impacted by existing and proposed energy extraction, to raise awareness about the impacts of unconventional oil and methane gas, and to reduce the impacts of all forms of energy extraction. This program was formerly known as Oil & Gas Accountability Project.
- $2.1 million spent. The Mining Program includes efforts in the U.S. and internationally to reform mining policies and practices, including work to ensure that clean energy does not lead to more harmful mining. This program supports communities and protects special places by stopping mining where it doesn't belong, reins in the riskiest mining practices, and reforms and defends state, federal and international policies that protect communities, water, wildlife, oceans and other natural resources.
- $1.4 million spent. General Programming includes Media and Communications, Research and Publications and Digital Engagement and Advocacy.Media and Communications - Press outreach and storytelling to promote and publicize the work of Earthworks and its allies. Research and Publications - Analysis and development of policy proposals, research on impacts of mining and energy extraction, and publishing fact sheets, reports, and information.Digital Engagement and Advocacy - Outreach, engagement and advocacy using digital tools, providing information to the public and Earthworks members, and responding to inquiries.
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
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 December 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 April 1988.
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.
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.