Northwest Environmental Defense Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NEDC'S MISSION IS TO WORK TOWARD A FUTURE IN WHICH THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST LEADS THE NATION IN DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING & ENFORCING STRONG LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT & HUMAN HEALTH, AND WHERE OUR GOVERNMENTS & COMMUNITIES VALUE FOSTERING AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE ECOSYSTEMS.
- Income
- $225,303
- Spending
- $249,937
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 50
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
Good: 82 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 41% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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.
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)
- $98,835 spent. CLEAN WATER & AIR CAMPAIGN: CONTINUED OUR WORK DEVELOPING AND PROSECUTING CLEAN WATER ACT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. NEDC'S CLEAN WATER ACT ENFORCEMENT WORK IN 2025 INCLUDED CONTINUING TO MONITOR OREGON INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES; ENGAGING WITH STATE AGENCIES IN THE REVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING AND AUTHORIZATION DECISIONS; AND CHALLENGING WATER QUALITY PERMITTING DECISIONS THAT FAIL TO SUFFICIENTLY PROTECT THE REGION'S WATERS. NEDC'S CLEAN AIR WORK IN 2025 INCLUDED MONITORING FACILITIES CALLED IN TO THE CLEANER AIR OREGON PROGRAM; PARTNERSHIP IN THE BREATHE OREGON COLLABORATIVE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HARM TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT POSED BY DIESEL EMISSIONS; ENGAGING WITH STATE AGENCIES TO UPDATE TOXICITY REFERENCE VALUES FOR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES; AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT OVERBURDENED PORTLAND COMMUNITIES FROM INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS. THIS WORK BENEFITS ANYONE USING AFFECTED WATERWAYS AND BREATHING AIR IN THE PORTLAND METROPOLITAN AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, INCLUDING NEDC MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
- $50,951 spent. ENDANGERED SPECIES: WORKING WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, NEDC SOUGHT TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR ENDANGERED AND OREGON AQUATIC SPECIES. THIS WORK INCLUDED LITIGATION TO PROTECT THREATENED SALMON, STEELHEAD, AND ORCAS FROM HARMFUL DEVELOPMENT IN FLOODPLAINS. THIS WORK BENEFITS THE GENERAL PUBLIC, LOCAL ACTIVISTS, AND NEDC MEMBERS.
- $55,381 spent. EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMS: CONTINUED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS WITH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS RELATING TO LAWS THAT CAN BE USED TO PROTECT THE REGION'S ENVIRONMENT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED GIVING LAW STUDENTS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WORKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, PUBLISHING AN ANNUAL NEWSLETTER & MAINTAINING AN EDUCATIONAL WEBSITE. NEDC ALSO PARTNERED WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN THE PORTLAND AREA. THIS WORK BENEFITS THE GENERAL PUBLIC, NEDC MEMBERS, AND LAW STUDENTS IN THE NORTHWEST.
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 1972.
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.