Guided by science and economics, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) tackles humanitarian threats with practical solutions. EDF is a non-profit organisation and one of the world’s largest environmental organisations, with over 2.5 million members and a staff of 700 scientists, policy experts, economists and other professionals around the globe.

EDF’s philosophy is that prosperity and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. EDF utilises partnerships across interests to ensure that they can maximise their ability to operate effectively. Their main focus is to address today’s environmental challenges in health, climate change and feeding the world. By working in partnership with other organisations, they focus on where they are best positioned to help, based on the organisation’s strengths.

Currently, EDF is committed to bipartisan environmentalism, where they are working with members of the American Congress from both parties to resist attacks against America’s bedrock environmental laws. EDF aims to continue making changes by finding innovative ways to solve environmental issues in the US and internationally. Some notable successes for EDF include key roles in:

• Driving the science advocacy that led to federal action towards reducing climate-harming methane emissions.
• Introducing a management system that has dramatically reduced the amount of overfishing in the United States.
• Persuading companies, such as Walmart and McDonald’s, to adopt environmentally friendly business practices.

Currently, EDF is heavily reliant on its members, who provide over two-thirds of their operating funds. These members care about groundbreaking approaches to defending the environment and are deeply concerned for their future.

To preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. Guided by science and economics, we find practical and lasting solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

There are five main funding sources for EDF. The largest funding source which contributes to 68% of the fund is contributions and memberships from the public, 23% comes from foundations and other institutional giving, 4% from investments and other revenue as well as 4% from bequests and other planned giving. Only 1% comes from the government and other grants and contributed services.

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