named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Atmos Magazine
Biannual print publication exploring climate and culture through long-form storytelling, photography, and art, released annually in the fall.
BIOME Membership Community
Membership program offering subscribers access to the magazine, discounts, event invitations, and recognition in exchange for monthly financial support.
The Nature Of
Biweekly podcast hosted by Willow Defebaugh featuring in-depth conversations with artists, scientists, and cultural leaders on nature, creativity, and systemic change.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Curated environmental journalism and newslettersDistributes a weekly digest of Atmos stories curated by the Features Director, amplifying climate and cultural narratives across digital platforms.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding special projects for planetary healingFunds and supports special projects and innovative ideas aimed at advancing planetary healing and protecting biological and cultural diversity.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Podcast production on nature and human connectionProduces a biweekly podcast series titled _The Nature Of_, featuring conversations with artists, scientists, and cultural leaders that explore nature’s role in creativity, personal transformation, and ecological consciousness.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publication and digital storytelling on climate and cultureProduces a biannual print magazine and digital content—including journalism, essays, and visual storytelling—focused on climate change, cultural responses to ecological crisis, biodiversity, conservation, and systems of interconnectedness. The publication features thematic issues (e.g., "Afterlife," "Rhythm") and reaches millions globally each month through its platforms.
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Research on policy and environmental justiceConducts and publishes research-focused coverage on the impact of political will and policy decisions on environmental justice, conservation efforts, and climate change mitigation.
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Nonprofit Investigative & Community Journalism 1 activity
- Science and nature journalism on biodiversity and the AnthropoceneProduces narrative journalism that documents biodiversity, scientific discoveries, wildlife, and the impacts of the Anthropocene, communicating the ecological and ethical importance of species and ecosystems.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Cultural coverage of environmental art and designProvides coverage of cultural works exploring sustainability, including photography, land art, film, music, and design, with a focus on bio-inspired architecture, material science innovations, and circular, non-extractive futures.
- Exploration of spiritual ecology and traditional knowledge systemsProduces think pieces and stories that examine spiritual ecology, Indigenous knowledge, nature-based philosophies, and cultural traditions that foster reconnection with the living world and alternative human-Earth relationships.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.53M
Contributions & grants$5.40M98%
Program service revenue$132K2%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.52M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.81M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.81M
Cash$2.79M
Investments$0
Liabilities$96K
Net assets$2.71M
Liquid reserves9.5 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +108.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THERESA PEREZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $209K |
| WILLOW DEFEBAUGH | SECRETARY | 40 | $187K |
| TESSA FORREST | ART DIRECTOR | 40 | $138K |
| NEGAR TAYYAR | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5K |
board members · 1
- JAMES SARGENT — PRESIDENT AND TREASURER
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- Apple Network — Recognized by Apple as one of the best podcasts of 2025
- Future Being Funder — Grant making and special projects studio that supports Atmos through funding and shared resources.
- Stripe Partner — Processes credit card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay for BIOME membership transactions
- United States Government — Source of environmental policy developments covered in reporting
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.
- Cultural Transformation Through Storytellingmethodology: cultural_transformation_through_storytellingBy using creative and reflective storytelling to reframe climate and cultural narratives, the organization produces cultural transformation and reconnection with nature, because narrative shapes public perception, emotional engagement, and collective behavior more effectively than data alone.
- Ecocentric Worldview Shiftmethodology: ecocentric_worldviewBy advocating for an ecocentric (rather than human-centered) worldview, the organization fosters deeper ecological stewardship and systemic change, because one's foundational worldview determines values, behaviors, and policy priorities regarding nature and justice.
- Idea Pollination and Organic Diffusion of Changemethodology: idea_pollinationBy spreading bold, transformative ideas through networks like pollen, the organization enables large-scale cultural and systemic change, because ideas replicate and evolve organically when made accessible, resonant, and adaptable across contexts.
- Micro-to-Macro Systemic Changemethodology: micro_to_macro_changeBy supporting individual and small-scale transformation, the organization catalyzes large-scale systemic change, because personal and cultural shifts are deeply interconnected—micro-level changes propagate through networks to influence macro-level systems.
- Regenerative and Ecosystem-Harmonized Designmethodology: regenerative_designBy advancing circular, regenerative, and bio-inspired design practices, the organization promotes a non-extractive relationship with nature, because aligning human innovation with ecological systems reduces harm and fosters long-term planetary health.