Environmental Defense Action Fund

“EDAF revised it's Certificate of Incorporation to allow the Organization to engage in limited activities that would be deemed a political expenditure.”

“EDAF has two classes of members, the Director-members and the donor- members”

“Under the bylaws of EDAF, the board of directors of Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. ("EDF"), the affiliated 501(c)(3) of EDAF, has the right to appoint candidates to be elected by the EDAF board to replace directors whose terms have expired and the right to appoint directors to fill vacancies.”

“Under the bylaws of EDAF, the board of EDF has the right to fix the number of directors on the EDAF board from time to time and the right to remove directors from the EDAF board.”

“EDAF uses its Audit Comittee of the Board of Directors to review the form 990 returns. The Audit Comittee has been delegated this authority by the Board of Directors in its audit committee Charter and terms of reference. The Organization's financial management group is responsible for gathering the key components and supporting schedule information for the Form 990. The Organization's audit firm of independent public accountants prepare the Form 990 and it goes through a review process to ensure it is completed accurately. The draft Form 990 is returned to the organization where senior executive management and members of the financial team review the document. The Audit Committee received a copy of the draft return in advance of a meeting scheduled for its formal review. The Audit Committee meets and approves the Form 990. Prior to filing, the approved draft return is circulated to the Board of Directors. The audit firm electronically files the final informational return with the IRS. The final form 990 is also publicly posted in electronic form on the Environmental Defense Action Fund's website where it is freely available to the public. Copies of it are sent to state Governments, funding organizations, major donors, charity monitoring organizations and to anyone else who requests a copy.”

“It is the responsibility of all directors and employees of the Environmental Defense Action Fund to familiarize themselves with the Conflict of Interest Policy and to ensure compliance of Related Parties with it. In addition to the disclosures required by this policy, annually each director and employee is provided with a statement to complete and return indicating that they have read, understand and are in compliance with this policy. Directors who knowingly or unknowingly violate the policy are subject to censure or removal, at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Employees who knowingly or unknowingly violate the policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.”

“Executive and staff performances and compensation are reviewed annually. Compensation amounts are based on information provided by an independent compensation consultant who utilizes comparable data from peer-group organizations, compensation surveys and studies to ensure reasonableness.”

“EDAF makes available three years worth of the following disclosure documents on the Environmental Defense Action Fund's web site: 1. Annual report 2. Consolidated and consolidating audited Financial Statements 3. Form 990 informational tax returns and those of related organizations”

“The role of Environmental Defense Action Fund (EDF Action) in legislative change complements that of its sister organization, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The two organizations take on different roles in achieving common objectives. EDF Action was involved in lobbying and legislative work while EDF supported research, scientific analysis, and policy positioning. EDF Action prevailed in 2014 when the House voted 223185 to defeat an appropriations rider that would have banned expansion of catch shares, the management approach that has helped fish stocks recover. Three years ago, a similar rider had passed in the House by 100 votes. The turnabout was made possible by a strategy that included cultivating GOP champions and bringing fishermen to Washington to make their case. This was just one of EDF Action's 2014 victories. For Climate, EDF Action helped defeat legislative efforts to undermine EPA's Clean Power Plan and backed efforts to protect state renewable energy standards. For Health, EDF Action helped advance reform of federal chemicals policy. For Ecosystems, it secured funding for wetlands protection.”

“Other professional fees: Program service expenses 1,823,516. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 4,861. Total expenses 1,828,377.”