SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER

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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year

1985

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

DJ GERKEN

Phone

4349774090

Tax Period

2024-04-01 to 2025-03-31

SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER, founded in 1985, is a mid-sized nonprofit that reported $58.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue decreased 7% compared to the prior year. Expenses of $50.5M left a modest 13% surplus.

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER IS TO PROTECT THE BASIC RIGHT TO CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, AND A LIVABLE CLIMATE; TO PRESERVE OUR REGION'S NATURAL TREASURES AND RICH BIODIVERSITY; AND TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $17,069,914

ENERGY: GOALS TO PROMOTE AND SECURE A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICY ACROSS THE SOUTH THAT PROTECTS THE PEOPLE AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REGION, ENHANCES THE ECONOMY, AND MINIMIZES THE HEALTH...

ENERGY: GOALS TO PROMOTE AND SECURE A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICY ACROSS THE SOUTH THAT PROTECTS THE PEOPLE AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REGION, ENHANCES THE ECONOMY, AND MINIMIZES THE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC HARM OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND AIR POLLUTION, INCLUDING GREENHOUSE GASES. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC LITIGATES CASES TO REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL USE AND AIR POLLUTION, PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY, AND REDUCE CONSUMERS' ENERGY BILLS AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

Program 2

Expenses: $9,086,592 Revenue: $238,574

WATER: GOALS - TO PROTECT AND RESTORE WATER QUALITY AND WATER FLOW TO ENSURE SURFACE AND GROUND WATERS IN OUR REGION CAN MEET LONG-TERM HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL NEEDS. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC...

WATER: GOALS - TO PROTECT AND RESTORE WATER QUALITY AND WATER FLOW TO ENSURE SURFACE AND GROUND WATERS IN OUR REGION CAN MEET LONG-TERM HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL NEEDS. IN PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS, SELC LITIGATES CASES TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER AND WATERWAYS FROM POLLUTION AND TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

Program 3

Expenses: $4,193,528

LAND AND COMMUNITY: GOALS - TO PROMOTE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, PROTECT NATURAL/RURAL AREAS, REDUCE REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS/POLLUTANTS THROUGH SMARTER GROWTH/SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS...

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $49,880,755

Program Service Revenue $557,833

Investment Income $7,644,738

Other Revenue $84,264

TOTAL REVENUE $58,167,590

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $86,416

Salaries & Benefits $32,099,193

Fundraising Expenses $5,390,753

Program Expenses $41,800,174

Other Expenses $18,106,032

TOTAL EXPENSES $50,454,619

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2024	2023	Change
Revenue	$58,167,590	$62,847,748	-0.1%
Expenses	$50,454,619	$43,104,630	+0.2%
Net Income	$7,712,971	$19,743,118	-0.6%

Key Indicators

✓ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✓ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✓ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required

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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Governance

Voting Members

Independent Members

Employees

267

Volunteers

Governance Policies

✓ Conflict of Interest Policy

✓ Whistleblower Policy

✓ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School

✗ Operated a Hospital

✗ Provided First Class Travel

✗ Reported Conflict of Interest

✗ Reported Asset Diversion

✗ Excess Benefit Transaction

✗ Made Political Expenditures

✓ Engaged in Lobbying

✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund

✗ Maintained Art Collections

✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers

$1,007,674

Total Directors

$385,302

Key Employees

$1,919,262

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
DJ GERKEN	PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	50.00	Officer Director	$321,468	$63,834	$385,302
LAURA D GATES	CHAIR OF THE BOARD	11.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
C GREY MCLEAN	VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD	5.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
JOEL B ADAMS JR	TRUSTEE	7.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MARCIA A ANGLE	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
DELL S BROOKE	TRUSTEE	4.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CATHY S BROWN	TRUSTEE	5.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
WENDY B BROWN	TRUSTEE	7.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ANNE DAVIS	TRUSTEE (UNTIL 11/24)	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MELVIN T DAVIS	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
J STEPHEN DOCKERY III	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
LAURA B FJELD	TRUSTEE	6.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
MELANIE P GRINNEY	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JAMES G HANES III	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CLAY HAYNES	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
PHYLLIS DK HILDRETH	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
DONALD A HOLZWORTH	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
DEBORAH H KENNEDY KENNARD	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ALLEN M MCCALLIE	TRUSTEE	5.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
EDWARD M MILLER	TRUSTEE	4.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
DEADERICK C MONTAGUE	TRUSTEE (UNTIL 11/24)	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JEAN C NELSON	TRUSTEE (UNTIL 11/24)	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
CHARLES W PATRICK JR	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JULIE G PRICE	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
B CLAYTON ROLADER	TRUSTEE	7.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
WILLIAM H SCHLESINGER	TRUSTEE	5.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
JOHN SIMPKINS	TRUSTEE	5.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
THOMAS F TAFT SR	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
HEATH P TERRY	TRUSTEE	4.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
WILLIAM L WANT	TRUSTEE (UNTIL 11/24)	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
ZAKIYA A SEYMOUR	TRUSTEE	3.00	Director	$0	$0	$0
DAVID CARR	GEN. COUNSEL, TRES -(5/24- 11/24)	50.00	Officer	$194,361	$29,866	$224,227
HAYLEY PARRISH	ASSIS. TO ED & BOARD ADMIN.	50.00	Officer	$110,275	$21,542	$131,817
CHRISTIE WIGGANS	FIN. & INVEST. TRES. (4/24-5/24)	50.00	Officer	$95,455	$22,464	$117,919
HOLLY HUESTON	DIR. FIN. & ADMIN./TRES (TO 4/24)	50.00	Officer	$80,496	$22,237	$102,733
CALI BUSCH	CONTROLLER, TREASURER (FROM 11/24)	50.00	Officer	$42,276	$3,400	$45,676
JOHN SUTTLES	DEPUTY DIRECTOR	50.00	Key Emp	$256,257	$34,067	$290,324
KATIE SHEVLIN	CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER	50.00	Key Emp	$227,893	$50,202	$278,095
ERIN MALEC	DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS	50.00	Key Emp	$215,939	$24,821	$240,760
SARAH FRANCISCO	DIRECTOR, VA OFFICE	50.00	Key Emp	$192,201	$43,362	$235,563
GILBERT ROGERS	DIRECTOR, GA OFFICE	50.00	Key Emp	$190,269	$28,408	$218,677
CHANDRA TAYLOR	ENVIRON. JUSTICE INITIATIVE LEADER	50.00	Key Emp	$178,991	$30,738	$209,729
MARY MACLEAN ASBILL	DIRECTOR, NC OFFICE	50.00	Key Emp	$177,188	$52,961	$230,149
GEOFF GISLER	PROGRAM DIRECTOR	50.00	Key Emp	$174,882	$41,083	$215,965
DERB CARTER	SENIOR ADVISOR & SENIOR ATTORNEY	50.00	Highest	$252,098	$46,584	$298,682
NAT MUND	DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS	50.00	Highest	$202,745	$24,008	$226,753
ALYS CAMPAIGNE	CLIMATE INITIATIVE LEADER	50.00	Highest	$194,511	$35,946	$230,457
TRIP POLLARD	SENIOR ATTORNEY	50.00	Highest	$190,553	$47,926	$238,479
DEBORAH MURRAY	SENIOR ATTORNEY	50.00	Highest	$187,393	$30,857	$218,250

Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Net Income
2025	$58,167,590	$50,454,619	$280,923,159	$7,712,971
2024	$62,847,748	$43,104,630	$259,911,032	$19,743,118
2023	$53,489,044	$40,519,983	$213,324,163	$12,969,061
2022	$82,818,237	$32,820,610	$217,137,686	$49,997,627
2021	$40,991,033	$29,057,840	$183,515,377	$11,933,193
2020	$39,889,386	$29,861,261	$133,395,925	$10,028,125
2020	$39,889,386	$29,861,261	$133,395,925	$10,028,125
2019	$60,076,970	$29,119,018	$131,988,934	$30,957,952