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Sierra Club Foundation

EIN 94-6069890 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O.THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION PROMOTES EFFORTS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT.GOALS: - SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS PRIMARILY THROUGH A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A RESOURCE-EFFICIENT CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY THAT BETTER SERVES PEOPLE AND NATURE;- SECURE PROTECTIONS FOR PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS, PROMOTE HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES, AND FIGHT FOR CLEAN AIR AND WATER;- EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND PROTECT THE PLANET BY SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT REACH ACROSS ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, AND COMMUNITY LINES TO GET PEOPLE OUTDOORS; AND- BUILD A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT THAT REFLECTS AND REPRESENTS TODAY'S AMERICAN PUBLIC, AND PRIORITIZES IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Income
$31.9 million
Spending
$53.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
  1. $11.6 million spent. CHAPTER AND GROUP EDUCATION PROJECT - THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE STATE AND LOCAL CHAPTERS AND GROUPS OF THE SIERRA CLUB IN THEIR WORK TO ADVANCE ALL OF THE SIERRA CLUB'S STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK GOALS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, ORGANIZING, ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY, COMMUNICATIONS, LITIGATION, AND OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. THE SPECIFIC GOALS ARE TO ENABLE LOCAL GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES; DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT; INFORM THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF LOCAL INTEREST; ENGAGE IN PUBLIC INTEREST LAWSUITS; AND GROW A BROADER BASE OF VOLUNTEERS AND LEADERS CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY-INSPIRED AND-LED PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES TO DEVELOP AND ENHANCE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO NATURE.
  2. $8.6 million spent. BEYOND COAL - THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO REVERSE THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE BY DECARBONIZING THE ELECTRIC GRID BY 80 PERCENT BY 2030. THE PROGRAM'S SPECIFIC GOALS - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS - ARE TO HELP TRANSITION AGING AND UNECONOMIC COAL PLANTS TOWARDS CLEANER ALTENATIVES THAT ALSO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
  3. $5.2 million spent. NATIONAL EDUCATION PROJECT - THIS PROJECT EDUCATES, ENGAGES, AND MOBILIZES THE PUBLIC IN ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY ABOUT A RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TO ADVANCE THE SIERRA CLUB'S STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK; PROVIDES PROGRAM, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT THE CHARITABLE PROJECTS OF THE SIERRA CLUB; AND WORKS IN COALITION AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS TO ADVANCE OUTCOMES AT THE INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE, SOCIAL, AND RACIAL JUSTICE. IT IS A PROJECT THROUGH WHICH THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION WORKS TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT.
  4. $19.2 million spent. THE SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF ADDITIONAL GRANTS TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE, EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY AND LEGAL ENDEAVORS THAT FURTHER ITS CHARITABLE MISSION.

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

  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 June 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 June 1962.

    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.