Defenders of Wildlife

EIN: 530183181 501(c)(3) Animal-Related

Washington, DC

Total Revenue
$48,550,195
Total Expenses
$38,303,168
Total Assets
$65,453,645
Net Assets
$60,636,278
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1947
Legal Domicile
DC
Principal Officer
Andrew Bowman
Phone
2026829400
Tax Period
2024-10-01 to 2025-09-30

Defenders of Wildlife, founded in 1947, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Animal-Related sector that reported $48.6M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 35% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $10.2M, a strong 21% operating margin.

Mission

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $14,676,309 Revenue: $66,974

Conservation and Restoration of Imperiled Biodiversity in North America: Defenders of Wildlife focuses on the conservation of imperiled species and keystone or umbrella species that help restore the...

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Conservation and Restoration of Imperiled Biodiversity in North America: Defenders of Wildlife focuses on the conservation of imperiled species and keystone or umbrella species that help restore the integrity and health of ecosystems. Our focus on wildlife and habitat conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity defines our important niche in the environmental and conservation community. Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, our programs emphasize imperiled species and their habitat throughout North America because of the irreparable loss that species extinction represents. We believe in the inherent value of wildlife and the natural world. To realize our conservation vision, Defenders of Wildlife engages in policy analysis and advocacy, litigation, innovative science, technology development, and conservation activities in the field. Our work is aimed at the prevention of species and habitats from becoming imperiled, the protection of endangered and threatened species and their habitats, and the restoration of the health of vulnerable species and their habitats. We are known for our innovative and pragmatic responses to a constantly changing political, economic and social environment. Our staff of scientists, wildlife policy experts, lobbyists, communications experts, and attorneys work in the halls of Congress, state legislatures, the courts, and local communities, and in the field across the country. We develop and advocate for innovative "up-stream" management solutions for public and private lands that encourage conservation of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats. We emphasize collaboration with other groups as a means of bringing to bear as much collective influence as possible on policymakers and processes which are often subjected to relentless pressure from special interests. The shared goal of all of our activities is to make Defenders of Wildlife the nation's most effective champion of imperiled wildlife in an era of climate change and habitat loss, leading the way in meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities that tomorrow presents to leave a rich and diverse natural legacy for future generations.

Program 2
Expenses: $12,538,215 Revenue: $0

Mobilization of a Broader Constituency for Wildlife Conservation:Defenders of Wildlife implements nation-wide conservation initiatives and place-based conservation programs that are rooted in the...

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Mobilization of a Broader Constituency for Wildlife Conservation:Defenders of Wildlife implements nation-wide conservation initiatives and place-based conservation programs that are rooted in the communities in which we work. We focus on strategic areas where we can have a positive impact on wildlife and landscapes. We are driven by our responsibility to mobilize and grow a movement for conservation that will endure for generations to come. We issue a monthly email publication, as well as an Impact Report, sent to all members who have provided us with their email address. It features informative articles on important wildlife and land management conservation issues, editorial comments, and updates on current activities taken by the organization. Our educational outreach projects include: providing the public with up-to-date information on wildlife and habitat protection issues; maintaining an activist network and alerting activists to contact elected officials on key wildlife conservation issues; and providing information to students and teachers on wildlife issues. We also reach the public by briefing the local and national media on important wildlife topics, by producing high quality video and participating in various podcasts, media interviews, and events highlighting America's wildlife and public lands. We also engage supporters on our social network channels and through our online blog. Defenders of Wildlife's website and social media platforms offer extensive information on wildlife species and related conservation issues. The website, www.defenders.org, serves as a resource for learning more about wildlife, understanding current policy issues, and getting involved.

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

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $41,566,131
Program Service Revenue $60,397
Investment Income $6,741,096
Other Revenue $182,571
TOTAL REVENUE $48,550,195

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $609,434
Salaries & Benefits $20,554,019
Fundraising Expenses $4,787,205
Program Expenses $27,214,524
Other Expenses $14,887,451
TOTAL EXPENSES $38,303,168

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $48,550,195 $36,052,170 +0.3%
Expenses $38,303,168 $35,168,532 +0.1%
Net Income $10,247,027 $883,638 +10.6%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
18
Independent Members
18
Employees
165
Volunteers
80

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
10
$1,020,608
Total Directors
21
$0
Key Employees
8
$1,905,139
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Mark Caylor Chair 2.50
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
John Donovan Vice Chair 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Sheryl Sachs Treasurer 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Susan Alexander Secretary 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Mitra Amestoy Director (from 9/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Sylvia Baca Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Whitfield Bailey Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Don Barry Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Dinah Bear Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Kim O'Keefe Beck Director (to 5/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
John Dayton Director (to 5/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Paul Donaher Director (to 6/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Robert Fischman Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Caroline Gable Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Linda Hanauer Director (from 9/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Anita Keefe Director (from 9/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Ann Morgan Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Jaime Pinkham Director (from 5/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Terry Root Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Paul Selva Director (from 9/25) 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Tom Sisk Director 0.50
Director
$0 $0 $0
Laura Sheehan Senior Vice President, External Affairs 40.00
Officer
$256,642 $14,989 $271,754
Michael Senatore SVP, Conservation Programs 40.00
Officer
$251,732 $53,480 $305,212
Andrew Bowman President & CEO (from 8/24) 40.00
Officer
$203,727 $18,099 $221,998
Andrew Miller CFO (from 7/24) 40.00
Officer
$93,143 $24,291 $117,434
Alicia Washkevich COO (from 6/25) 40.00
Officer
$0 $0 $0
David Anderson Interim SVP, Ops (from 9/24 to 2/25) 40.00
Officer
$104,210 $0 $104,210
Matt Braughler Vice President, Development 40.00
Key Emp
$272,874 $23,658 $296,532
Brandace Swimeley Vice President, Integrated Marketing 40.00
Key Emp
$248,150 $52,636 $300,786
Thu Pham Chief of Staff 40.00
Key Emp
$202,035 $49,890 $251,925
Robert Dewey Vice President, Government Relations 40.00
Key Emp
$198,983 $42,429 $241,508
Julia Adams Vice President, Conservation Law 40.00
Key Emp
$189,039 $28,090 $217,129
Shawn Cantrell VP, Species Conservation & Coexistence 40.00
Key Emp
$182,436 $27,077 $209,513
Sharon Morris-Smith Vice President, Human Resources 40.00
Key Emp
$180,632 $27,350 $207,982
Lindsay Rosa VP, Conservation Research and Innovation 40.00
Key Emp
$165,634 $14,130 $179,764
Alejandra Goyenechea Senior Int'l Counsel (to 10/24) 40.00
Highest
$147,680 $32,209 $179,889
Mary Beth Beetham Director, Legislative Affairs 40.00
Highest
$143,506 $24,476 $167,982
Jane Davenport McClintock Senior Attorney 40.00
Highest
$141,785 $43,888 $185,673
Desiree Sorenson-Groves Sr. Dir, Land Conservation (to 10/24) 40.00
Highest
$140,921 $1,671 $142,592
Lisa Marie Saltzburg Senior Attorney 40.00
Highest
$140,710 $17,442 $158,152
Jamie Rappaport Clark President and CEO (to 7/24) 40.00
$820,725 $40,375 $861,689
James Laurence Stofan SVP, Operations (to 9/24) 40.00
$237,962 $29,404 $267,366
Elizabeth Nichols VP, Finance & CFO (to 7/24) 40.00
$204,707 $23,300 $228,007
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 $48,550,195 $38,303,168 $65,453,645 $10,247,027
2024 $36,052,170 $35,168,532 $58,479,065 $883,638
2023 $35,880,686 $37,549,970 $50,165,827 $-1,669,284
2022 $42,802,063 $37,955,460 $48,630,491 $4,846,603
2021 $43,244,805 $39,734,648 $50,399,132 $3,510,157
2020 $34,498,515 $34,353,507 $48,337,572 $145,008
2019 $33,422,742 $32,802,517 $44,366,480 $620,225
2019 $33,422,742 $32,802,517 $44,366,480 $620,225
2018 $39,116,128 $31,341,421 $43,360,435 $7,774,707
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