Oregon Environmental Council Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OREGON ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL CHAMPIONS EQUITABLE, INNOVATIVE, AND COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS TO OREGONS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES FOR TODAY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- 6.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 19
- Highest pay
- $176,936, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 6.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1560% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 2514 of 14 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 March 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 (4)
- $674,331 spent. CLIMATE PROTECTIONOEC IDENTIFIES AND PROMOTES SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS AND POLICIES THAT REDUCE EMISSIONS AND INCREASE RESILIENCE TO EVER-WORSENING CLIMATE IMPACTS. IN FY24-25, WE PARTICIPATED IN A NEARLY YEAR-LONG RULE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT RESULTED IN RE-ADOPTION OF OREGONS CLIMATE PROTECTION PROGRAM, A HALLMARK INITIATIVE THAT REDUCES EMISSION ACROSS MAJOR SOURCES OF CLIMATE POLLUTION AND ALSO CREATES COMMUNITY CLIMATE INVESTMENTS THAT BENEFIT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.OEC SECURED $15 MILLION FOR THE HEALTHY HOMES PROGRAM TO HELP LOW-INCOME OREGONIANS REMOVE TOXIC MATERIALS LIKE ASBESTOS AND LEAD FROM THEIR HOMES AS WELL AS LOWER HOME ENERGY BILLS. OEC ALSO HELPED SECURE AN OFFSHORE WIND ROADMAP TO INCLUDE COMMUNITY AND TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT, REQUIREMENTS FOR UTILITIES TO PROVIDE MORE UPDATES ON REGIONAL TRANSMISSION, AND A LAW THAT WILL INCREASE CONSTRUCTION OF ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS. OEC SERVED ON THE OREGON CLIMATE COMMISSION AND THE CLEAN TECH TASK FORCE.OEC HELPED PLAN AND LAUNCH THE INAUGURAL OREGON CLEAN GRID SUMMIT THAT CONVENED STAKEHOLDERS FROM BUSINESS, NONPROFIT, DEVELOPMENT, AND GOVERNMENTAL SECTORS. WE DEVELOPED THE E-FORWARD EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE LOW-INCOME, GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE, AND UNDERSERVED CUT ENERGY USE AND REDUCE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. IN ADDITION, OEC WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION PROCESSES. OEC SERVED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES TO SUPPORT THE OREGON CLIMATE EQUITY NETWORK, COALITION FOR CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE, NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, AND OREGON CLEAN GRID COLLABORATIVE. WE SERVE AS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE BUILDING RESILIENCE COALITION. OEC ALSO LAUNCHED A PARTNERSHIP WITH OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY TO SECURE FOUR POLARIS ELECTRIC UTILITY VEHICLES (UTVS) FOR ITS AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATIONS.
- $342,182 spent. TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONSOEC PROMOTES CLEAN, HEALTHY, SAFE, AND EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE. IN THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2025, WE CO-LED THE MOVE OREGON FORWARD COALITION OF OVER 50 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVANCE CLEAN, SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS. OEC ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE METRO TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SUPPORTING REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING. OEC SERVES ON THE CLEAN AND JUST TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, A STATEWIDE COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION AND SECURE SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR A MORE EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. WE SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION, INCLUDING THROUGH ADVOCATING FOR FUNDING TO HELP LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME OREGONIANS AFFORD NEW AND USED ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND TO ELECTRIFY SCHOOL BUSES AND MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. WE ALSO SUPPORTED THE STATES EFFORTS TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL INFLATION REDUCTION ACT INVESTMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION, AND LAUNCHED THE E-FORWARD EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE ON HOW TO ACCESS INCENTIVES THAT SUPPORT ELECTRIC VEHICLE USE.
- $247,629 spent. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHOEC WORKS TO REDUCE PEOPLES EXPOSURE TO TOXIC CHEMICALS FOUND IN THE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN (WHO ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE) AND PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES (WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY EXPOSED). DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2025, WE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN IN THE LEGISLATURE TO SECURE NEW PROTECTIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONDERS BY PHASING OUT THE USE OF PFAS-LADEN FIREFIGHTING FOAM. WE ALSO DEVELOPED A ROBUST PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN EXPLAINING THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF PFAS, AND WHERE THIS FOREVER CHEMICAL IS FOUND IN COMMON CONSUMER GOODS. ADDITIONALLY IN FY 24-25, OEC SUPPORTED SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION OF THE RIGHT-TO-REPAIR LAW, WHICH REDUCES TONS OF E-WASTE FROM STATE LANDFILLS EACH YEAR, INCREASES AFFORDABILITY FOR CONSUMERS, AND SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESS REPAIR SHOPS AND STEM JOBS, INCLUDING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.OEC PARTICIPATED IN THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED RULES ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO UPDATE THE TOXIC FREE KIDS ACT TO ENSURE THAT AN EXPANDED LIST OF CHEMICALS OF CONCERN WERE ADDED TO THE PROGRAM. WE PARTICIPATED IN A NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND HELPED CONVENE A REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON GREEN CHEMISTRY. OEC CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH OSU ON RESEARCH TO TEST FOR PFAS IN PRODUCTS THAT IMPACT CHILDREN.
- $196,726 spent. CLEAN AND PLENTIFUL WATEROEC WORKS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF OREGON'S WATERWAYS AND KEEP DRINKING WATER SAFE IN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE SERVED ON A YEAR-LONG RULES ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE OREGON WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT THAT SUCCESSFULLY RESULTED IN NEW PROTECTIONS FOR GROUNDWATER ALLOCATION. THIS WILL ALLOW MORE SUSTAINABLE USE OF GROUNDWATER AND PROTECTION OF SURFACE WATER. OEC ALSO SERVED ON STATE ADVISORY BODIES RELATED TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES. WE CO-LED THE OREGON WATER PARTNERSHIP COALITION. OEC CONTINUED SERVING ON THE LOWER UMATILLA GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS A LEAD ENVIRONMENTAL AND RURAL PARTNERSHIPS VOICE. WE ALSO SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATES NITRATE REDUCTION PLAN, AND WORKED WITH STATE AGENCIES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR INTER-AGENCY COMMUNICATION, ESPECIALLY AROUND GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY CONCERNS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 December 1985.
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.
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