Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To educate the public and employees of government resource management and environmental protection agencies nationwide about environmental ethics; to assist those who speak out on behalf of environmental ethics; and to protect the integrity of individual employees and scientists within the government who dissent for ethical reasons.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 4
- Highest pay
- $116,762, board member
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 69% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 30, 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 (5)
- $520,794 spent. Legal: Peer provides legal counsel, assistance, and representation to public employees who may face retaliation for speaking out for higher standards of scientific integrity, environmental ethics, and accountability in government. PEER engages in litigation and administrative processes to improve environmental outcomes. Peer has engaged in over 30 lawsuits and administrative actions in the past year.
- $432,312 spent. Membership and outreach: PEER helps employee members expose and remedy environmental problems within their public agencies and educate the public and policy makers on issues facing government employees who work to protect the environment.
- $337,617 spent. Resource Protection: Peer works with and on the behalf of public employees who serve as stewards of our nation's public lands and natural resources. Peer advocates responsible planning and management, informing policy makers and the public on natural resources issues.
- $155,382 spent. Field operations: Peer has retained a number of former public employees as field representatives operating out of California, Colorado (covering the Rocky Mountain region), Massachusetts (covering New England), and Tennessee. These field offices are extensions of the national operation and are the focal point for state and local activity
- $3,922 spent. Scientist Protection/Education: PEER works to ensure the use of science and sound policy in decision-making, the enforcement and implementation of environmental laws, and to protect the rule of law.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.