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Environmental Policy Innovation Center

EIN 93-3208396 · College Park, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Environmental Policy Innovation Center is a national nonprofit organization that builds policies to deliver spectacular improvements in the speed of environmental progress.

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$8.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
43
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$179,967, executive director

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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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, 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)
  1. $4.6 million spent. Water Infrastructure: Our goal is to ensure all communities have safe reliable affordable and resilient water infrastructure despite financial workforce and environmental challenges. Many communities particularly small and under-resourced ones face issues with aging systems funding gaps and policy barriers that threaten access to clean drinking water effective wastewater treatment and flood protection. Our team addresses these challenges by offering hands-on support expediting the replacement of toxic lead pipes broadening the impact of state revolving fund investments and promoting the adoption of green infrastructure. Leveraging expertise in policy analysis engineering finance data science regulation and community engagement we facilitate the transition from vision to action. Through thorough analysis technical guidance and cooperation with utilities governments and communities we provide practical solutions that enhance local capacity enable sustainable financing and expedite actions to safeguard public health ecosystems and create a thriving water future for all.
  2. $1.5 million spent. Restoration: The goal of EPICs Restoration program is to boost the restoration economy by leading innovative approaches for quicker conservation and restoration policies advocating for results-oriented contracting and encouraging immediate private sector investment in restoration projects. The program aims to expedite ecological restoration by integrating science policy and finance to enhance efficiency and scalability. To bridge the funding gap we promote conservation finance solutions and programs that yield economic and ecological benefits. Our diverse team collaborates with governments Tribes nonprofits and the private sector to accelerate project approval funding permitting and implementation.
  3. $1.5 million spent. Technology: We believe that actionable data and innovative technology are crucial for accelerating environmental progress. Many vital environmental datasets are outdated insights are buried in PDFs and agencies lack the workforce to effectively use technology for environmental management. Focusing on collaborative and equitable data use we partner with agencies advocates tech providers and NGOs to develop 21st-century digital infrastructures. Our efforts include creating data tools recommendations and strategies as well as fostering collaborations and political support to drive implementation. We assist organizations and government agencies in reimagining the potential of data and technology to advance environmental and public health initiatives.
  4. $230,156 spent. Agriculture: The Environmental Policy Innovation Centers agriculture program employs innovative policy solutions to: 1 create new demand for conservation outcomes 2 optimize the cost-effective and prompt allocation of conservation funds and 3 encourage the development of new solutions for critical resource challenges.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.