Environment & Wildlife
Natural Resources Defense Council
Works to safeguard the earth through law, science, and the support of millions of people worldwide.
Charity Navigator rates Natural Resources Defense Council 86/100 — reflecting strong financial discipline, transparency, and program delivery against industry benchmarks.
What this charity does
Environmental and wildlife organizations operate across a spectrum: from direct habitat acquisition and species protection to scientific research, litigation, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing. The most effective combine on-the-ground conservation work with policy influence — protecting an ecosystem requires both buying the land AND defending it from political and economic pressures. Funding supports field staff, research, legal challenges, community partnerships in biodiversity hotspots, and public-awareness campaigns.
Why it matters
When evaluating environmental charities, distinguish between groups doing direct land protection, scientific research, advocacy/lobbying, and litigation. Each has different success metrics. Look for tangible recent wins — acres protected, species recovered, policies enacted, lawsuits won — not vague "awareness raised" claims. Charity Navigator's environmental ratings are a solid starting point.
Common programs in this space
Natural Resources Defense Council works within environment & wildlife. These are the kinds of programs typically run in this space — visit their site for current specifics.
- ✓ Land and marine habitat acquisition and protection
- ✓ Scientific monitoring of endangered species and biodiversity
- ✓ Climate-change advocacy and renewable-energy policy work
- ✓ Legal challenges to projects that threaten protected ecosystems
- ✓ Partnerships with Indigenous and local communities living in biodiversity hotspots
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Become a recurring member — most environmental groups rely heavily on membership dues
- + Make a planned gift in your will or trust (environmental charities depend on legacy giving)
- + Volunteer for citizen-science projects: bird counts, water-quality monitoring, beach cleanups
- + Reduce your own footprint — flying less and eating less beef has more impact than most one-time gifts
- + Vote and advocate for environmental policy at local, state, and federal levels
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Natural Resources Defense Council: