irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $183KTHE EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEMS PROGRAM LED AND COLLABORATED ON RESEARCH, CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, WEBINARS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AS WELL MEDIA OUTREACH ON FOOD, CLIMATE, ANIMAL WELFARE, AND PUBLIC HEALTH WITH A FOCUS ON SUB- SAHARAN AFRICA AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH. THIS INCLUDED A JUST TRANSITION FOOD SYSTEMS PROJECT WITH NGO PARTNERS AS WELL AS WRITING AND OUTREACH. THIS WORK REACHED SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE, OFF- AND ONLINE, AND VARIED STAKEHOLDERS SPANNING ACADEMICS, POLICYMAKERS, PHILANTHROPISTS, STUDENTS, AND THE PUBLIC.
- #2 $25KTHE MEDIA OUTREACH AND NARRATIVE FRAMING PROGRAM WORKS TO FOCUS GREATER ATTENTION ON ANIMALS, WILD AND DOMESTIC, IN FOOD SYSTEMS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY REPORTING. WORK INCLUDES SUPPORTING JOURNALISM AND MEDIA PROJECTS, ENGAGING WITH REPORTERS AND EDITORS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW NARRATIVES AND NARRATIVE STRATEGIES WITH A FOCUS IN THE U.S, LATIN AMERICA, AND MEXICO. THIS WORK REACHED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THROUGH ONLINE ARTICLES, VIDEOS, AND DIALOGUES, AND SERVED RESEARCHERS, ADVOCATES, MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, STUDENTS, AND THE PUBLIC.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Animals and Biodiversity Reporting Fund
Funds investigative journalists, particularly in the Global South, to document the impacts of industrial animal agriculture on communities, ecosystems, and animals, often accompanied by documentary videos.
Equitable Food Systems Program
Conducts research, policy analysis, capacity building, and public education on food, climate, animal welfare, and public health with a focus on the Global South, including participation in UN climate summits and collaborative projects with NGOs.
Global Climate Advocacy Program
Focuses on food systems and climate-compatible agricultural policies, spotlighting perspectives from African academics and NGOs, with engagement in UN climate conferences and virtual policy dialogues.
Media Outreach and Narrative Framing Program
Supports journalism and media projects, engages with reporters and editors, and develops new narratives on animals, food systems, climate, and biodiversity, with a focus in the U.S., Latin America, and globally.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 2 activities
- Advocates for environmental and food system policy change at UN forumsParticipates in UN climate and biodiversity summits (COPs) since 2009, including COP15, COP27, COP28, and the 2024 biodiversity summit in Cali. Organizes panels, submits research, advocates for sustainable food systems, and promotes gender and racial justice within the SDGs, UNFCCC, and Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Develops educational platforms and training on sustainable food systemsCo-created the Good Food Academy in Chinese and English and co-organized the Food Forward Forum and experiential learning tours for Chinese food professionals at U.S. institutions. Conducts webinars and capacity-building programs for students and graduates on food systems, climate, and social justice.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funds investigative journalism on animals, biodiversity, and climateOperates the Animals and Biodiversity Reporting Fund to finance investigative reporting on industrial animal agriculture, biodiversity loss, and climate change in the Global South, including projects in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and the U.S. The fund supports journalists publishing in outlets such as The Guardian and Repórter Brasil.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Produces documentary films and multimedia content on food systemsDirects and produces documentary films and animated shorts, including "What’s For Dinner?" (2009) and "Six Years On" (2015), to inform public debate on food systems, climate, and animal welfare. Also produces digital exhibitions such as "Defenders of the Yucatán" for public outreach.
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Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Supports youth and women's leadership in climate and food justiceRuns a long-term initiative to educate and mentor Maasai girls in Kenya and Tanzania, supporting secondary and higher education in environmental studies and Indigenous rights. Also partners with organizations in Kenya and the U.S. to build young women's leadership in climate resilience.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Advances legal advocacy through Rights of Nature frameworksSubmits cases on industrial animal agriculture, such as in the Yucatán Peninsula, to the Global Alliance for Rights of Nature’s tribunal process. Integrates investigative findings into legal and ethical advocacy to expand protections for animals and ecosystems.
- Conducts research on industrial animal agriculture and its impactsProduces policy papers, reports, articles, and op-eds on the role of industrial animal agriculture in climate and biodiversity crises, with a focus on the Global South. Research includes comparative legal analysis of animal rights and Rights of Nature frameworks, and case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Nominates environmental activists for the Goldman Environmental PrizeServes as a nominating partner for the Goldman Environmental Prize since 2020, submitting nominations for activists working on industrial animal agriculture, wildlife protection, and environmental justice. Has secured two winners from five finalist nominations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$599K
Contributions & grants$551K92%
Program service revenue$420%
Investment income$7K1%
Other revenue$41K
expenses
Total expenses$569K
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$52K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$309K
Cash$309K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$308K
Liquid reserves6.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +29.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIA S MACDONALD | EXECUTIVE DI | 50 | $30K |
board members · 2
- DAVY DAVIDSON — VICE PRESIDE
- LESLIE BARCUS — SECRETARY/TR
relationships · 61
Who they work with
- Africa Network for Animal Welfare Partner — Mia MacDonald served on the U.S. board of the organization.
- Ash Center of the Harvard Kennedy School Partner — Post-Masters Fellow at the Ash Center from 2022 to 2023.
- Bureau of Investigative Journalism Partner — Collaborating with Brighter Green and Repórter Brasil on upcoming investigative reporting at the intersection of global finance and agribusiness impacts.
- Cambridge Climate Committee Government — Serves on the committee in Cambridge, MA, starting in 2025.
- China Vegan Society Partner — Supported the creation of the China Vegan Society, the first national network on plant-based eating in China.
- Climate Action Network Coalition — Collaborates on work related to animals, climate crisis, and biodiversity
- Columbia University Partner — Mia MacDonald earned a B.A. with honors in English and taught in the Human Rights program at the School of International and Public Affairs.
- Columbia University Earth Institute Partner — Mia MacDonald taught at the Earth Institute.
- Culture & Animals Foundation Partner — Mia MacDonald was president and now serves on the advisory board.
- EAT Foundation Partner — Serves on the Advisory Board since 2023.
- Farm Sanctuary Partner — Mia MacDonald served on the board of directors.
- Food Climate Action Group Coalition — Collaborates on work related to animals, climate crisis, and biodiversity
- Food Empowerment Project Partner — Mia MacDonald served on the board of directors.
- Ford Foundation Funder — Mia MacDonald consulted with the foundation prior to founding Brighter Green.
- Fundacion Solón Partner — Engages with Fundacion Solón through collaboration with its executive director Pablo Solón, a judge in the global Rights of Nature tribunal, regarding integration of animal and environmental rights.
- Global Alliance for Rights of Nature Partner — Submits evidence from investigative research on industrial farming in Mexico to inform the Global Alliance for Rights of Nature’s tribunal process.
- Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature Network — Brighter Green is a member of GARN and collaborates with the alliance to challenge industrial animal agriculture and advance Rights of Nature.
- Global Forest Coalition Coalition — Collaborates on work related to animals, climate crisis, and biodiversity
- Global Forest Coalition Partner — Collaborates on research, policy proposals, conferences, and advocacy related to industrial animal agriculture and environmental degradation in Latin America.
- Goldman Environmental Prize Partner — Brighter Green has served as a nominator for the Goldman Environmental Prize since 2020.
- Goldman Environmental Prize Partner — Brighter Green is a nominator for the Goldman Environmental Prize
- Goldman Environmental Prize Partner — Serves as a nominating partner since 2020
- Good Food Fund Partner — Partners on initiatives including the China-Hong Kong roadshow, Food Forward Forum, and Good Food summits to advance sustainable food systems.
- Green Belt Movement Partner — Collaborated with the Green Belt Movement through joint projects, including work with Wangari Maathai on publications and environmental advocacy.
- Green Belt Movement Partner — Longstanding partner organization associated with Wangari Maathai, serving as an inspiration and model for Brighter Green's work.
- Green Belt Movement International-U.S. Partner — Mia MacDonald was previously president and treasurer of the organization.
- Guardians of the Cenotes (Kana’an Ts’onot) Partner — Collaborates with Brighter Green on advocacy efforts related to the environmental and cultural threats posed by megafarms in the Ring of Cenotes.
- Harvard Behavior Insights Student Group Partner — Co-presided the group from 2022 to 2023.
- Harvard Center for Public Leadership Partner — Gleitsman Leadership Fellow at the center in 2021.
- Harvard Law School’s Animal Law and Policy Program Partner — Former Visiting Fellow at the program from 2022 to 2024.
+ 31 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Gender-Equity Centered Environmental Governancemethodology: gender_equity_in_governanceBy centering gender equity in environmental initiatives, we produce more effective and just outcomes because inclusive governance structures lead to more resilient and sustainable development, especially in marginalized communities.
- Integrated Narrative Advocacy for Systemic Changemethodology: integrated_narrative_advocacyBy integrating research, science, spirituality, and moral agitation, we produce public awareness and policy action because narratives rooted in ethical imperatives and humanistic values drive transformative change more effectively than data alone.
- Investigative Journalism as Narrative Catalystmethodology: investigative_journalism_grantmakingBy supporting investigative journalism in the Global South, we produce shifts in public narrative and policy because exposés grounded in local contexts reveal hidden harms of industrial agriculture and empower marginalized voices.
- Research-Driven Policy and Field Incubationmethodology: research_and_incubationBy generating and incubating research initiatives in partnership with field actors, we produce actionable policy and program change because practical, evidence-based models are more likely to influence public debate and institutional decision-making.
- Rights-Based Systems Change Coalitionmethodology: rights_based_collaborationBy linking animal rights, human rights, and rights of Nature through collaborative advocacy, we produce systemic change because interconnected justice movements amplify each other’s impact in addressing root causes of ecological and social harm.