Sierra Club
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O.
- Income
- $83.8 million
- Spending
- $84.9 million
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10,895
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $40.3 million spent. OVERVIEW: THROUGHOUT 2025, WE CONTINUED PROGRESS TOWARD THE GOALS LAID OUT IN OUR 2030 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK. WE CONTINUE TO APPLY AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LENS TO ALL THE WORK WE DO TO PROTECT OUR LANDS, AIR, WATER, WILDLIFE, AND PUBLIC HEALTH, AND TO TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. OUR CLIMATE WORK LARGELY FOCUSES ON EFFORTS TO BUILD A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE THAT WILL RESULT IN SAFER AIR AND WATER, GOOD JOBS, AND MORE AFFORDABLE ENERGY PRICES FOR CONSUMERS. GRASSROOTS STRONG: THE HEART OF SIERRA CLUB'S ENDURING STRENGTH AND UNIQUE EFFECTIVENESS IS OUR GRASSROOTS NETWORK OF 64 CHAPTERS, STATE AND LOCAL VOLUNTEER GROUPS, OUTINGS LEADERS, MEMBERS, AND ALL OF THE SIERRA CLUB SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS. THEY ARE WHAT SET US APART AS THE POWERFUL AND UNIQUELY EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION WE ARE. THE AUTHENTIC LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS OUR CHAPTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE TO BUILD IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HOW WE ARE GROWING OUR MOVEMENT TO PROTECT OUR LANDS, AIR, AND WATER, AND TACKLE THE CLIMATE AND EXTINCTION CRISES. BEYOND COAL: IN 2025, SIERRA CLUB'S BEYOND COAL CAMPAIGN ADVANCED GRID DECARBONIZATION AND ENERGY AFFORDABILITY. THE CAMPAIGN EXPANDED ADVOCACY IN MORE THAN 30 STATES. THE CAMPAIGN MARKED MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH MILESTONES: COAL PLANT RETIREMENTS DRIVEN BY THE CAMPAIGN'S WORK HAVE HELPED PREVENT 60,000 PREMATURE DEATHS, 100,000 HEART ATTACKS, AND ONE MILLION ASTHMA ATTACKS. WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AND THROUGH LEGAL ACTION, THE CAMPAIGN ALSO DEFENDED AND ACCELERATED CLEAN ENERGY DEPLOYMENT. BEYOND DIRTY FUELS: IN 2025, SIERRA CLUB'S BEYOND DIRTY FUELS CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO WORK TO MOVE THE COUNTRY BEYOND ALL FOSSIL FUELS TO PROTECT OUR HEALTH AND SECURE A LIVABLE FUTURE BY TRANSITIONING AMERICA TO CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY. IT ORGANIZED AND STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY POWER TO DRIVE TARGETED LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL OUTCOMES VIA GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION, COALITION PARTNERSHIP, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND LITIGATION. THE CAMPAIGN BUILT DURABLE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, CONVENED AND TRAINED THOUSANDS OF ADVOCATES THROUGH LIVESTREAM EDUCATION AND ORGANIZING PROGRAMS, AND CHALLENGED MISLEADING AND FALSE NARRATIVES IN COMMUNITIES AND THE MEDIA. CLEAN TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL: IN 2025, SIERRA CLUB'S CLEAN TRANSPORTATION FOR ALL CAMPAIGN WORKED TO CURB POLLUTION IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR BY DEFENDING RECENT PROGRESS ON IMPROVED EMISSION STANDARDS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE. THE CAMPAIGN LED IMPORTANT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRIC MONTH, HOSTING COMMUNITY EVENTS ZERO-EMISSION CARS, TRUCKS, BUSES, AND BIKES WHILE SHARING TIMELY INFORMATION ON EV INCENTIVES AMID SHIFTING FEDERAL FUNDING AND TAX CREDITS. REDUCING CLIMATE POLLUTION FROM BUILDINGS: IN 2025, SIERRA CLUB'S BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION/CLEAN HEAT CAMPAIGN DEFENDED AND ADVANCED THE SHIFT TO CLEANER, SAFER, MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES THROUGH EFFICIENT ELECTRIC UPGRADES LIKE HEAT PUMPS AND INDUCTION. THE CAMPAIGN EDUCATED THE PUBLIC AND CONGRESS ABOUT THE BENEFITS ALREADY UNLOCKED BY THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, HELPED PROTECT CONSUMER REBATES FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, AND UPDATED GUIDANCE SO HOUSEHOLDS COULD STILL ACCESS HOME ENERGY TAX CREDIT BENEFITS THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. IT PROTECTED THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) - A LIFELINE THAT HELPS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS KEEP HOMES SAFE AND HABITABLE DURING EXTREME HEAT AND COLD - BY ORGANIZING CONSTITUENT LOBBYING VISITS WITH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES, DIGITAL ACTIONS, AND MORE. THE CAMPAIGN ALSO SCORED SEVERAL MAJOR POLICY WINS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL AND DEFENDED ELECTRIFICATION IN COURT. HELPING AMERICANS EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND PROTECT OUR LANDS AND WATERS: IN 2025, SIERRA CLUB'S CONSERVATION AND OUTDOORS WORK DELIVERED MAJOR VICTORIES TO DEFEND PUBLIC LANDS AND EXPAND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURE. THROUGH TARGETED LEGAL AND POLICY VICTORIES, THE ORGANIZATION PROTECTED CONSERVATION LAWS AND WILDLIFE SUCH AS THE GRAY WOLF, BISON, AND RICE'S WHALE. OUR CONSERVATION TEAM CHALLENGED CUTS TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THAT THREATENED VISITOR SAFETY, WILDLIFE, AND WILDFIRE PREVENTION. AND IT ORGANIZED SUPPORTERS AND ACTIVISTS TO DEFEND TENS OF MILLIONS OF ACRES OF FORESTLANDS THAT PROVIDE CLEAN WATER, WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND IRREPLACEABLE WILDERNESS. SIERRA CLUB ALSO EXPANDED ACCESS TO NATURE AND PROTECTED PARKS AND COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE THROUGH VARIOUS STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL WINS - INCLUDING THE BIPARTISAN EXPLORE ACT. AND THE ORGANIZATION EXPANDED OUTDOOR ACCESS AND PROMOTED WELLNESS THROUGH OUR MILITARY OUTDOORS PROGRAM, WHICH CONTINUED IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMING THAT SUPPORTED THOUSANDS OF VETERANS SEEKING THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF TIME OUTSIDE. A 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATION, SIERRA CLUB ENGAGES IN LOBBYING ACTIVITIES AND ENDORSES CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS THROUGH AFFILIATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACS).
- $13.7 million spent. MEMBERSHIP, CHAPTER AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: SUPPORT AND FUNDING OF 64 VOLUNTEER-LED CHAPTERS AND APPROXIMATELY 446 GROUPS, BUILDING A BROAD-BASED VOLUNTEER MEMBERSHIP THAT HELPS ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATION'S ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING TO ADVANCE ITS SOCIAL WELFARE MISSION. LOCAL AND STATES ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION ON CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CONSERVATION ISSUES; RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CITY, COUNTY, AND STATE POLICIES; MOBILIZING MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS TO TAKE ACTION ON LOCAL AND STATE ADVOCACY INITIATIVES; AND HOSTING COMMUNITY EVENTS.
- $9.3 million spent. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION: CALENDAR & OTHER MERCHANDISE, SIERRA (THE ORGANIZATION'S MAGAZINE), COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INCLUDES PRINT AND NON-PRINT MEDIA ACTIVITIES AND DIGITAL STRATEGIES (MISSION IS TO ALIGN THE ONLINE ACTIVITIES AND TECHNOLOGICAL INVESTMENTS WITH ITS BROADER GOALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT).SIERRA MAGAZINE: PUBLISHED 4 ISSUES PER YEAR WITH AN AVERAGE PRINT RUN IN EXCESS OF 355,000 MAGAZINES, EDUCATING READERS ON ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, RESPONSIBLE USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIC ACTION.CALENDAR & OTHER MERCHANDISE: OFFERED SIERRA CLUB BRANDED MERCHANDISE ABOUT NATURE OR THE ENVIRONMENT FOR SALE DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC AND OTHER RESELLERS, SUPPORTING THE ORGANIZATION'S EDUCATIONAL AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS.
- $5.2 million spent. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:IN 2025, SIERRA CLUB OUTINGS OFFERED IMPACTFUL OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECTED PEOPLE TO NATURE WHILE ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND BRINGING MEMBERS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S LARGER CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS. THROUGH LOCAL CHAPTERS, GROUPS, AND SECTIONS, AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL OUTINGS PROGRAM AND CAMPAIGN-SPECIFIC OUTINGS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS WERE ENGAGED IN WAYS THAT DEEPENED THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THE INSPIRING CONNECTIONS OUTDOORS (ICO) PROGRAM, FOR EXAMPLE, RAN 226 TRIPS FOR 4,265 YOUTH AND ADULTS - PRIMARILY FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES - PROVIDING HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ABOUT ECOSYSTEMS, CONSERVATION ISSUES, AND THE ROLE OF PUBLIC LANDS IN CLIMATE RESILIENCE. THE NATIONAL OUTINGS PROGRAM OFFERED 78 DOMESTIC AND 34 INTERNATIONAL TRIPS TO 1,274 PARTICIPANTS, INTEGRATING LEARNING ABOUT LOCAL FLORA, FAUNA, GEOLOGY, AND CONSERVATION HISTORY, OFTEN INCORPORATING VOLUNTEER WORK LIKE TRAIL RESTORATION TO BUILD AWARENESS OF HOW ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ALIGNS WITH SIERRA CLUB CAMPAIGNS. LOCAL CHAPTERS AND GROUPS ORGANIZED APPROXIMATELY 4,769 OUTINGS WITH 21,000 PARTICIPANTS, RANGING FROM NATURE HIKES TO ADVOCACY TRAINING, EDUCATING PEOPLE ON PRESSING REGIONAL ISSUES LIKE WATER CONSERVATION, HABITAT PROTECTION, AND CLIMATE CHANGE, AND EMPOWERING THEM TO TAKE ACTION. THE MILITARY OUTDOORS PROGRAM, AS PART OF OUTDOORS FOR ALL AND SUPPORTED BY LOCAL OUTINGS, SUPPORTED VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS WITH THERAPEUTIC OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES THAT PROMOTED HEALING, CONSERVATION, AND ADVOCACY. ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS, SIERRA CLUB OUTINGS NOT ONLY CONNECTED MEMBERS TO NATURE BUT ALSO INSTILLED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, REINFORCING THE CLUB'S MISSION TO EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND PROTECT THE PLANET THROUGH DIRECT EDUCATION AND ALIGNMENT WITH SIERRA CLUB'S CONSERVATION GOALS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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 November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 June 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 December 1968.
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 November 4, 2026.
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