Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Newark, NJ | https://www.easternenvironmental.org

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 22-3353036

Contributions tax deductible
as of September 2024

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of September 09, 2024

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT THREATEN THE PEOPLE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE NEW JERSEY AND TRI-STATE REGION.

Ruling year info

1995

Principal Officer

Christopher Miller

Main address

1 Gateway Ctr Ste 2600

Newark, NJ 07102 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

22-3353036

Subject area info

Environment

Public interest law

Population served info

Ethnic and racial groups

Economically disadvantaged people

NTEE code info

Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (C01)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Our organization works to address issues related to environmental advocacy, conservation and community groups to achieve environmental justice, implement clean-energy solutions and preserve the region’s open space, wildlife and natural resources for generations to come.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Environmental Justice

EELC serves as a legal advocate for vulnerable communties in the fight for environmental justice and equitable development. We take polluters to court and hold government agencies accountable under the law to ensure equal access to a safe and healthy environment.

Population(s) Served

Multiracial people

Economically disadvantaged people

Clean Energy

EELC leverages the power of coalitions to push for clean-energy solutions and stop new fossil-fuel infrastructure. We help our clients advocate for clean energy in court, in regulatory proceedings and before administrative agencies.

Open Space & Sustainable Development

EELC works with communities and conservation groups to defend New Jersey's treasured open spaces, healthy watersheds and sensitive wildlife habitats from encroaching development, and to ensure smart, sustainable growth.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Children and youth

Ethnic and racial groups

Adults

Children and youth

Ethnic and racial groups

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of stakeholders or stakeholder groups who agree to engage

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

EELC is New Jersey's only non-profit, public-interest environmental law firm, but we are a small organization. At present, we have four environmental attorneys working on behalf of environmental advocacy, conservation and community groups to achieve environmental justice, implement clean-energy solutions and preserve the region’s open space, wildlife and natural resources for generations to come.

While we take into consideration the critical environmental issues facing the state and region, we can only take on a limited number of cases due to our limited capacity. With that said, we currently provide legal assistance to more than 35 clients and are always open to new clients, big and small. Many of our clients cannot afford private law firms, and we depend on generous foundation grants and individual donations to be able to provide our services.

EELC's goal for the future is to secure more funding so that we can hire more attorneys to handle to increasing number of requests we received from organization, specifically those that represent environmental justice communities who are overburdened with pollution and stand on the frontlines of climate change.

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

EELC coordinates with other organizations in an effort to cover as much legal ground as possible, particularly on the environmental justice front. We are currently part of an environmental justice consortium funded by the Fund for New Jersey working towards a more united front as environmental justice issues have become front and center in the legal arena.

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

We have proven to be capable of handling a large number of legal cases with a limited number of attorneys, however, with increased funding we can increase our capacity and take on more cases of importance.

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

We continue to retain yearly funding from our core group of foundations and we are grateful for that. We also continue to seek new methods of funding and are in current talks with two organizations to help fund an additional environmental justice attorney.

Financials

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Financial documents

Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant.

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

2.95

Average of 2.19 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

4.6

Average of 12.3 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

23%

Average of 26% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$363,677
Program Services	$16,368
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$8,610
Total Revenue	$388,655

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$399,240
Professional Fees	$10,594
Occupancy	$49,419
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$4,083
Other Expenses	$28,071
Total Expenses	$491,407
Net Gain/Loss	($102,752)

Revenue
Contributions	$467,918
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$254,915
Investments	$3,278
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$15
Total Revenue	$726,126

Expenses
Program Services	$425,088
Administration	$63,805
Fundraising	$14,158
Total Expenses	$503,051
Net Gain/Loss	$223,075

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$6,633
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$12,554
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$194,558
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$4,627
Investments	$1,401
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$15
Total Revenue	$200,601

Expenses
Program Services	$361,456
Administration	$39,325
Fundraising	$11,872
Total Expenses	$412,653
Net Gain/Loss	($212,052)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$6,748
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$3,222
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$276,153
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$28,985
Investments	$565
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$305,703

Expenses
Program Services	$358,289
Administration	$106,063
Fundraising	$88,764
Total Expenses	$553,116
Net Gain/Loss	($247,413)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$6,106
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$7,081
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$349,656
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$21,566
Investments	$271
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$3,000
Total Revenue	$374,493

Expenses
Program Services	$323,432
Administration	$109,728
Fundraising	$93,655
Total Expenses	$526,815
Net Gain/Loss	($152,322)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$4,455
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$14,911
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$220,646
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$63,609
Investments	$58
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$6,000
Total Revenue	$290,313

Expenses
Program Services	$250,531
Administration	$110,517
Fundraising	$93,067
Total Expenses	$454,115
Net Gain/Loss	($163,802)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$4,304
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$15,389
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$453,158
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$15,124
Investments	$31
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$7,200
Total Revenue	$475,513

Expenses
Program Services	$242,070
Administration	$89,515
Fundraising	$105,182
Total Expenses	$436,767
Net Gain/Loss	$38,746

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$3,557
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$17,936
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$699,837
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$12,000
Investments	$150
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$6,000
Total Revenue	$717,987

Expenses
Program Services	$602,353
Administration	$99,137
Fundraising	$95,914
Total Expenses	$797,404
Net Gain/Loss	($79,417)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$4,384
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$69,732
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$774,743
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$16,000
Investments	$410
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$7,800
Total Revenue	$798,953

Expenses
Program Services	$543,861
Administration	$53,788
Fundraising	$28,306
Total Expenses	$625,955
Net Gain/Loss	$172,998

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$4,501
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$98,079
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$32,401
Investments	$392
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$130,872

Expenses
Program Services	$99,430
Administration	$7,443
Fundraising	$4,716
Total Expenses	$111,589
Net Gain/Loss	$19,283

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$270
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$647,235
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$172,128
Investments	$7,929
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$400
Total Revenue	$827,692

Expenses
Program Services	$635,154
Administration	$65,909
Fundraising	$45,318
Total Expenses	$746,381
Net Gain/Loss	$81,311

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$0
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$57,296
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$718,359
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$183,920
Investments	$7,559
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$295
Total Revenue	$910,133

Expenses
Program Services	$579,338
Administration	$55,034
Fundraising	$67,296
Total Expenses	$701,668
Net Gain/Loss	$208,465

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$7,222
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$17,608
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$470,417
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$106,587
Investments	$1,398
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$578,402

Expenses
Program Services	$518,007
Administration	$56,095
Fundraising	$25,180
Total Expenses	$599,282
Net Gain/Loss	($20,880)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$3,790
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$14,808
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$566,945
Government Grants	$154,262
Program Services	$45,264
Investments	$95
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$766,566

Expenses
Program Services	$482,755
Administration	$55,224
Fundraising	$26,915
Total Expenses	$564,894
Net Gain/Loss	$201,672

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$2,755
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$26,212
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$597,945
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$81,896
Investments	$4,624
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$684,465

Expenses
Program Services	$549,152
Administration	$56,557
Fundraising	$26,279
Total Expenses	$631,988
Net Gain/Loss	$52,477

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$3,656
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$33,503
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$426,232
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$31,971
Investments	$12,492
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$3,332
Total Revenue	$474,027

Expenses
Program Services	$550,688
Administration	$59,143
Fundraising	$27,203
Total Expenses	$637,034
Net Gain/Loss	($163,007)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$0
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$3,044
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$30,655
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Nov 01, 2008	Oct 31, 2009	Change
Contributions	$363,677
Cash & Equivalents	$710,041	$701,610	($8,431)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$27,847	$31,180	$3,333
Total Assets	$737,888	$732,790	($5,098)

Liabilities	Nov 01, 2008	Oct 31, 2009	Change
Total Liabilities	$62,758	$160,412	$97,654

Fund balance	Nov 01, 2008	Oct 31, 2009	Change
Net Assets	$675,130	$572,378	($102,752)

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	$209,017	-$20,328	$65,412	-$79,877	$91,161
As % of expenses	29.8%	-3.4%	11.6%	-12.6%	14.3%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	$208,465	-$20,880	$65,105	-$79,877	$91,161
As % of expenses	29.7%	-3.5%	11.5%	-12.6%	14.3%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$910,133	$578,402	$766,566	$684,465	$474,027
Total revenue, % change over prior year	10.0%	-36.4%	32.5%	-10.7%	-30.7%
Program services revenue	20.2%	18.4%	5.9%	12.0%	6.7%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	0.2%	0.2%	0.0%	0.7%	2.6%
Government grants	0.0%	0.0%	20.1%	0.0%	0.0%
All other grants and contributions	78.9%	81.3%	74.0%	87.4%	89.9%
Other revenue	0.7%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.7%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$701,116	$598,730	$564,587	$631,988	$637,034
Total expenses, % change over prior year	-6.0%	-14.6%	-5.7%	11.9%	0.8%
Personnel	60.7%	67.7%	83.7%	89.1%	90.2%
Professional fees	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Occupancy	7.2%	8.4%	5.9%	0.9%	1.3%
Interest	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Pass-through	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
All other expenses	32.1%	23.9%	10.4%	10.0%	8.5%

Full cost components (estimated)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$701,668	$599,282	$564,894	$631,988	$637,034
One month of savings	$58,426	$49,894	$47,049	$52,666	$53,086
Debt principal payment	$0	$0	$84,800	$0	$0
Fixed asset additions	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Total full costs (estimated)	$760,094	$649,176	$696,743	$684,654	$690,120

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Months of cash	10.5	14.2	16.8	9.1	4.6
Months of cash and investments	10.5	14.2	16.8	14.9	11.4
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	7.9	8.8	10.7	8.1	9.7

Balance sheet composition	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Cash	$612,706	$709,648	$791,493	$476,658	$243,464
Investments	$0	$0	$0	$305,592	$364,190
Receivables	$69,246	$22,500	$17,000	$24,250	$16,209
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$22,313	$22,313	$1,331	$0	$0
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	96.2%	98.6%	100.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	33.0%	40.8%	25.4%	18.6%	12.4%
Unrestricted net assets	$461,250	$440,370	$505,475	$425,598	$516,759
Temporarily restricted net assets	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Permanently restricted net assets	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total restricted net assets	$0	$0	$136,567	$273,519	$70,890
Total net assets	$461,250	$440,370	$642,042	$699,117	$587,649

Key data checks

Key data checks	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Material data errors	No	No	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination is not available for this organization

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Principal Officer

Christopher Miller

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Highest paid employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of highest paid employee data for this organization

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Board of directors
as of 10/02/2023

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board co-chair

Edward Lloyd

Board co-chair

Alexi Assmus

Lydia Chambers

Randy Jones

The Brunswick Group

Yannick Wood

NJ Institute for Social Justice

Tim Willke

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 10/2/2023

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

White/Caucasian/European

Gender identity

Male, Not transgender

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or Straight

Disability status

Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

No data

Transgender Identity

No data

Sexual orientation

Disability

No data

Assets	Nov 01, 2009	Oct 31, 2010	Change
Contributions	$467,918
Cash & Equivalents	$356,610	$923,207	$566,597
Accounts Receivable	$11,808	$5,238	($6,570)
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$345,000	$76,557	($268,443)
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$3,131	$0	($3,131)
Other	$16,241	$15,000	($1,241)
Total Assets	$732,790	$1,020,002	$287,212

Liabilities	Nov 01, 2009	Oct 31, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$64,835	$74,813	$9,978
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$25,000	$78,922	$53,922
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$70,577	$70,814	$237
Total Liabilities	$160,412	$224,549	$64,137

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

Our programs

Environmental Justice

Clean Energy

Open Space & Sustainable Development

Where we work

Our results

Evaluation documents

Number of stakeholders or stakeholder groups who agree to engage

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Goals & Strategy

Charting impact

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

Financials

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2023 info

2.95

Months of cash in 2023 info

4.6

Fringe rate in 2023 info

23%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

Principal Officer

Christopher Miller

Number of employees

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Compensation data

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Compensation data

Eastern Environmental Law Center Inc

Board of directors data

Edward Lloyd

Alexi Assmus

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Liquidity in 2023

Months of cash in 2023

Fringe rate in 2023

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities