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The National Council for Science and the Environment

EIN 52-1700932 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT THE USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED SCIENCE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DECISION-MAKING ABOUT HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$266,252
Spending
$289,060
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 39%
Employees
4
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$29,808, executive director

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

Financial health

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 84% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 August 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 (2)
  1. $245,701 spent. ENVIRONMENTORS IS AN ENVIRONMENT-BASED MENTORING PROGRAM AIMED AT PREPARING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE PROGRAMS AND CAREERS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM). THIS PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF VOLUNTEER SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS, ASPIRING UNDERSERVED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SCIENCE TEACHERS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND BUSINESSES WHO GENEROUSLY SUPPORT OUR WORK.GCSE FACILITATED INNOVATION LABS ARE TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HUBS THAT SUPPORT COLLABORATION, INNOVATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF CROSS SECTORAL GROUPS. THESE LABS AMPLIFY EDUCATION, RESEARCH, SOLUTIONS, AND ANALYSIS FOR SOLUTIONS ORIENTED WORK.GCSE SENIOR FELLOWS PROGRAM IS A LEADERSHIP COHORT FOR COLLABORATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING. GCSE'S APPLIED SOLUTIONS NETWORK IS A PROFESSIONAL MEMBER PLATFORM FOR SCIENTISTS, DECISION MAKERS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO ADVANCE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.
  2. GCSE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, ENGAGING WITH SCIENTISTS, POLICYMAKERS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY TO CONTRIBUTE TO RECOMMENDATIONS AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT ADVANCE THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 2025.

    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 March 1991.

    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.

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