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Where Your Money Goes

Environmental Defense Fund continued to maintain a strong financial position in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, thanks to prudent management of expenses and to the generous support of our members, trustees, major donors, foundations and other contributors. Total program and supporting services expenses for fiscal 2009 were $104.5 million, a modest 4% increase over the previous year. The tough economy required staff reductions and pruning of expenditures in fiscal 2009. In making these decisions, we were guided by the priorities and criteria established in EDF’s new Strategic Plan, the product of a yearlong collaboration between staff and trustees. The resulting sharper focus puts EDF on a path to achieve the Strategic Plan’s very ambitious five-year objectives.

Operating support and revenue

Unrestricted operating support and revenue of $107.5 million was used to pay for current operations during fiscal 2009. Of this amount, contributions and membership accounted for $57.9 million, or 54%. Foundation grants provided $39.4 million, or 37%. Bequests and other planned giving reached $5.7 million, or 5%. Investment and other revenue contributed 3% and government and other grants accounted for the remaining 1%.

Restricted operating support and revenue of $40.5 million in fiscal 2009 predominantly represents contributions from multiyear gifts and pledges for use in future years. These gifts play an increasingly important role in enabling us to expand and sustain our work.

Expenses

Program services expenditures of $85.9 million accounted for 82% of total operating expenses in fiscal 2009, with almost all devoted to our priority areas—climate, oceans, ecosystems and health. Of total operating expenses, 6% was for management and administration, 11% went toward the fundraising needed to generate current income and support for future years, and 1% was spent on the acquisition of new members.