Earth Island Institute Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Earth Island Institute (the Organization) was founded in 1982 by legendary environmentalist David R. Brower (1912-2000) to confront the unprecedented threats to life on Earth. The Organization supports environmental initiatives that are urgent...
- Income
- $41.6 million
- Spending
- $36.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 309
- Volunteers
- 750
- Highest pay
- $387,548, board director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
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 June 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 (4)
- $30.1 million spent. Project Network Following is a list of 74 projects under sponsorship with the Organization during all or part of the fiscal year. This includes one new project and four that closed down or left the Organization to incorporate independently, merge with another organization, or work with a new fiscal sponsor. See Statement 1
- $454,773 spent. Earth Island Journal For nearly four decades, Earth Island Journal has been publishing a unique, wide-angle perspective, which strives to make the connections between the environment and other human rights and social justice issues. Over the course of publishing more than 145 issues, the Journal has broken ground on covering critical environmental topics and received a number of media awards for excellence in journalism. In past fiscal year, the Journal published a mix of hard-hitting investigative features and reports from around the world in its print issues, including an in depth-cover feature about the young American evangelicals fighting for climate action from within the church, which is better known for right-leaning politics and climate denialism; an on-the-ground report about poaching in Lebanon, where, despite recent legislation making it illegal to kill migratory birds, somewhere between 1.7 and 3.5 million birds are illegally shot down with military grade weapons each year; a report about Rikers Islands attempt to transition from one of the nations most notorious jail complexes into a place that embodies regeneration and growth; A look at anti-trans and anti climate policies in Florida and how the same ideologies of supremacy and colonialism underpin right-wing attacks on both body sovereignty and the environment. In addition to these features, the Organization also published a wide range of breaking news reports, commentary, essays, book and film reviews, podcasts, and news analysis. The Journals well-established track record of raising awareness about environmental and social justice issues and tackling controversial subjects has earned the Organization the reputation of being a small magazine with a big voice.
- $275,406 spent. New Leaders Initiative Earth Islands New Leaders Initiative celebrates and supports young environmental leaders in North America. Each year the Organizations Brower Youth Awards program honors the work of six outstanding young environmentalists, ages 13 to 22, for their leadership and achievements. During the fiscal year, winners addressed the lack of representation of girls of color in nature, advocated for mangrove restoration in coastal areas, mobilized young people around dam removal to help save critically endangered orcas, promoted food sovereignty and mutual aid through community agriculture, organized clean energy campaigns in school districts and communities, and established statewide composting and food recovery programs in schools. In addition to a cash prize and public recognition, the winners received coaching, training, and peer support designed to provide them with the skills to advance their initiatives.
- $247,638 spent. Earth Island Advocates Earth Island Advocates uses the law to fight for justice for the planets beautiful and varied ecosystems and inhabitants. With the combined knowledge and expertise of the Organizations grassroots project network and the pro bono resources of law firms, legal clinics, and nonprofit organizations, Earth Island Advocates is achieving tangible results for the environment. During the fiscal year, Advocates filed lawsuits to prevent unlawful logging on federal land, achieved important advances in its corporate greenwashing litigation, and obtained settlements that protect wildlife.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 March 1984.
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.