irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $36.48MSEE SCHEDULE O
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Audubon Photography Awards
Annual program celebrating outstanding bird photography and visual storytelling across the Western Hemisphere.
Climate Watch
Community science initiative tracking shifts in bird ranges due to climate change, now in its second decade.
Conserva Aves
Hemispheric partnership focused on local conservation projects that benefit both birds and people in Latin America.
Motus Audio Network
Continent-wide tracking system for migrating birds, installed through collaborative field efforts across North America.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
- Capacity building and organizational developmentSupports inclusive practices by adopting community-centered language such as “community science” and implementing internal equity initiatives like voluntary pronoun sharing. Identifies and stewards Important Bird Areas through chapter networks and supports broader organizational governance through annual meetings and board elections.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Community engagement and public educationEngages the public through 507 community and campus chapters, Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries, Conservation Trek programs for high school students, and partnerships with organizations like Latino Outdoors. Offers birdwatching opportunities and local exploration activities to connect people with birds and conservation.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Direct conservation and habitat protection programsOperates 55 centers and sanctuaries, preserves bird habitats, and implements on-the-ground conservation initiatives such as the Conserva Aves program protecting 2 million hectares across Latin America and contributing to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Runs a native plant initiative to promote planting one million bird-friendly native plants through public outreach and a database.
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Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
- Scientific research and environmental monitoringConducts scientific research to identify critical bird habitats, measure conservation impact, and inform bird conservation strategies using tools such as the Migratory Bird Explorer, Climate Watch, and the Motus Audio network. Publishes landmark reports including "Survival by Degrees," "State of the Birds," and Natural Climate Solutions to assess climate impacts and habitat needs for bird species across the Western Hemisphere.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advocacy and policy initiativesAdvocates for bird and habitat protection through policy agendas such as Healthy Birds, Healthy Planet, and efforts to protect 300 million acres of climate-resilient habitat across the Americas. Played a foundational role in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and co-founded the Americas Flyways Initiative. Mobilizes over 1.9 million members and supporters through a network of chapters and centers to influence conservation policy and support state and regional initiatives.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$197.30M
Contributions & grants$166.74M85%
Program service revenue$11.93M6%
Investment income$14.73M7%
Other revenue$3.91M
expenses
Total expenses$199.49M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits$106.95M
Grants paid out$12.17M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$641.31M
Cash$20.38M
Investments$375.21M
Liabilities$51.00M
Net assets$590.32M
Liquid reserves23.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +31.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 10
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH M GRAY | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $1.03M |
| MAXINE G SOMERVILLE | CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER | 40 | $452K |
| CHARLOTTE D YOUNG | VP & GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $449K |
| MARSHALL JOHNSON | CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER | 40 | $439K |
| LISETTE M PEACOCK CHIEF | EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION OFFICER | 40 | $423K |
| INGRID M MILNE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $414K |
| SARAH M ROSE | VP, CLIMATE ACTION, NORTH AMERICA | 40 | $376K |
| JUSTIN E STOKES | DEPUTY CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER | 40 | $359K |
| ALLISON E VOGT | CHIEF STRATEGY INTEGRATION OFFICER | 40 | $358K |
| NEETA D HATLEY | VP, CONTROLLER, TREASURY & FIN OPS | 40 | $276K |
board members · 15
- ANGEL ORTIZ — DIRECTOR
- ANNA WARWICK RIGGS — DIRECTOR
- ANNE BECKETT — DIRECTOR
- BERNARDO VARGAS-GIBSONE — DIRECTOR
- DIANE ROSS-LEECH — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE S GOLUMBESKI — VICE CHAIR/CHAIR (AS OF 09/24)
- JESSICA HELLMANN — DIRECTOR
- JOHANNA FUENTES — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH WATTS — DIRECTOR (THRU 02/25)
- KATHY SULLIVAN — VICE CHAIR
- KEVIN HARRIS — DIRECTOR
- LILI TAYLOR — DIRECTOR
- MAMIE PARKER — DIRECTOR (AS OF 03/25)
- PAMELA HURTADO BERGER — DIRECTOR (AS OF 03/25)
- PHIL SWAN — DIRECTOR (THRU 02/25)
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Alabama Audubon Partner — Collaborates on bird banding and prairie restoration research in Alabama’s Black Belt region.
- Audubon Magazine Network — Flagship publication delivering news and reporting on birds and conservation as part of the National Audubon Society's outreach and science communication.
- BirdLife International Partner — Collaborative agreement signed in 2010 to advance bird conservation.
- BirdLife International Partner — U.S. partner for BirdLife International, collaborating to identify and protect Important Bird Areas.
- CAF Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Audubon at Humedal Río Maipo natural sanctuary in Chile.
- Esri Partner — Strategic partnership to create network-wide GIS mapping capability.
- Fundación Cosmos Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Audubon at Humedal Río Maipo natural sanctuary in Chile.
- Grassroots Advocates Network Partner — Network of public supporters engaged to influence decision makers in government and the private sector.
- Latino Outdoors Partner — Partners with Audubon to support community-centered conservation in San Antonio.
- New York City Bird Alliance Partner — Partners on research and reporting about declining Black-crowned Night Heron populations in New York City.
- Toyota Partner — Corporate partnership through the TogetherGreen initiative to transform communities and diversify conservation.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partner — Partnered on the Whooping Crane Project.
- partner organizations Partner — Collaborates with a network of partner organizations to advance conservation work across 11 countries.
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.
- Bird-Based Conservation Indicatorsmethodology: bird_based_conservation_indicatorBy using bird behavior and population trends as ecological indicators, Audubon guides conservation action in critical areas because birds serve as early warning systems for ecosystem health and environmental change.
- Community-Engaged Conservation Innovationmethodology: community_engaged_conservationBy mobilizing local chapters, centers, and protected lands as hubs of engagement, Audubon fosters public connection and drives innovation in conservation because inclusive, place-based stewardship increases local ownership and long-term sustainability.
- Grasstops-Grassroots Advocacy Modelmethodology: grasstops_grassroots_advocacyBy combining high-level stakeholder engagement with broad public mobilization, Audubon influences policy and corporate decisions because sustained change requires both political access and mass public support.
- Hemispheric Migratory Conservationmethodology: hemispheric_conservationBy aligning conservation efforts across political boundaries with bird migration patterns, Audubon achieves greater impact because migratory species require coordinated, large-scale habitat protection throughout their full life cycle.
- Market-Based Habitat Incentivesmethodology: market_based_conservationBy linking consumer choices to bird-friendly land management practices, Audubon leverages market forces to expand conservation on working lands because economic incentives can scale sustainable practices beyond what regulation or philanthropy alone can achieve.