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Passes our checks

Endangered Species Coalition

EIN 52-2235210 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEIR HABITAT: THE ENDANGERED SPECIES COALITION (ESC) WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE NATION'S PROGRAMS AND LAWS PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES AND HABITAT ARE FULLY FUNDED AND ENFORCED. THIS HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT ALL THE THREATS TO THE LAWS. THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS THROUGH GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION. THE ORGANIZERS IN THE STATES HAVE WORKED ON LOCAL, STATE AND REGIONAL CAMPAIGNS IN THEIR REPECTIVE STATES. ESC WORKS WITH MEMBERS OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVISTS IN THER RESPECTIVE STATES TO PROTECT SPECIFIC SPECIES. ESC ALSO MAINTAINS A WEBSITE THAT CONTAINS FACT SHEETS AND ACTION ALERTS ABOUT ISSUES THEY ARE WORKING ON.

Income
$891,294
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
12
Highest pay
$118,468, executive di

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $304,029 spent. ESA DEFENSE: SAFEGUARDING THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT - THE FOCUS OF THE COALITION'S WORK IS TO BUILD A BROAD COALITION OF SUPPORTERS AND CHAMPIONS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED FUNDING, STRONGER PROTECTIONS AND GREATER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT WITH DECISION MAKERS INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION. THIS INCLUDES OUR ON-THE-GROUND WORK TO PROTECT KEYSTONE SPECIES, INCLUDING GRAY WOLVES, GRIZZLY BEARS, AND ORCA.
  2. $338,859 spent. PROTECTING KEYSTONE SPECIES: GIVEN THE INCREASED RISK TO SPECIES FROM CLIMATE CHANGE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CHART A COURSE FOR INCREASING PROTECTIONS, PREPARING FOR A FAVORABLE NATIONAL POLITICAL LANDSCAPE. TWO AREAS ARE PARTICULARLY KEY TO SPECIES SURVIVAL AND POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT IN STATES NOW. FIRST, WE ADVOCATE FOR LOCAL AND STATE POLICIES, CITY AND COUNTY RESOLUTIONS, AND STATE BILLS TO BUILD A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CONNECTIVITY FOR PLANTS AND WILDLIFE. SECOND, WE WORK TO PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR POLLINATORS THROUGH POLICIES AND HANDS ON RESTORATION OF HABITAT.
  3. $179,376 spent. MOVEMENT BUILDING: THE FOCUS OF THE COALITION'S WORK IS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF WILDLIFE DECLINES BY ENSURING INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACY. THE COALITION WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS AND YOUTH, PARTNER WITH COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS TO BIODIVERSITY, LEVERAGE ART'S POTENTIAL TO ENGAGE AUDIENCES AND SHIFT CULTURAL VALUES REGARDING CONSERVATION AND INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT FROM THE CONSERVATION COMMUINITY.

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 February 2002.

    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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