Ceres
Also known as Ceres
Ceres reported $33.6 million in revenue and $37.8 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $80.39 went to program services, $11.77 to management and general costs and $7.84 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 82.1% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $372,824 (CEO AND PRESIDENT). 75 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 36% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending October 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $38MFor context, the median across 371 covered environment charities: $85.82 programs, $10.80 management, $3.38 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending October 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $34MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 80.4% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 11.8% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 7.8% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.11 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 82.1% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 15.4% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $372,824 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.99% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 75 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 9.3 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 21 of 22 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseAccelerating sustainable capital market: see schedule oaccelerating sustainable capital market: the ceres accelerator for sustainable capital markets aims to improve the practices and policies that govern capital markets to reduce the financial impacts of climate change and promote opportunities associated with these changes. We educate and engage regulators, financial institutions, investors, insurers and corporate boards to act on climate risk as a systemic financial risk.ceres meaningfully engages with investors, companies, policymakers, and regulators to build responsible leadership and…
Policy: see schedule opolicy: the ceres policy network represents some of the most well-known brands in the U.S. That have emerged as leading advocates for clean and affordable energy policies at the state and federal level. We work with major U.S companies, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to collectively advocate for policy solutions at the state and federal levels. Network members are committed to supporting policies that prioritize clean energy technologies and environmental justice to transform industries, unlock new business opportunities, and foster innovation and…
Climate change: see schedule oclimate change: ceres educates and supports investors, companies, and policymakers to spur investment in clean and affordable energy solutions, reduce pollution, and achieve a cleaner, just and more resilient economy. We engage with investors and companies in key economic sectors to ratchet up the ambition of their climate goals, create robust transition action plans, and improve disclosure, all in the context of fulfilling fiduciary duty. We also support investors and companies who engage with key lawmakers and regulators to make the economic case for innovative…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO AND PRESIDENT Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $333,139 | $0 | $39,685 | $372,824 |
| CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $308,841 | $0 | $45,602 | $354,443 |
| CHIEF FINANCIAL & ADMIN OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $272,841 | $0 | $47,083 | $319,924 |
| CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $252,897 | $0 | $24,910 | $277,807 |
| FMR EXEC. VP & CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER Former, 40.00 hrs/week | $243,024 | $0 | $33,428 | $276,452 |
| VP, INVESTOR NETWORK (UNTIL 9/30/25) Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $217,375 | $0 | $55,812 | $273,187 |
| VP, INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $225,365 | $0 | $41,969 | $267,334 |
| CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $234,204 | $0 | $23,512 | $257,716 |
75 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Ceres (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $3.0M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b22 · 21 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5236
- Volunteers Part I, line 652
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses onlyIndividuals listed as contractors are left out. 2 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
61 private foundations reported grants to Ceres totaling $11M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Ceres's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Ceres, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Ceres spent in FY2025, $80.39 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
Embed on your site
Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Nia Tero FoundationSeattle, WA · revenue $33M · programs 86.0% · 2024
- The Barn Group Land TrustBrooks, GA · revenue $34M · programs 84.8% · 2024
- Dallas Arboretum and Botanical SocietyDallas, TX · revenue $32M · programs 79.9% · 2024
- Elemental ExceleratorHonolulu, HI · revenue $34M · programs 78.1% · 2024
- Western Reserve Land ConservancyMoreland Hills, OH · revenue $32M · programs 94.6% · FY2025
All environment charities · Largest charities in Massachusetts
Questions people ask
How much of Ceres's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025, Ceres reported that 80.4% of its $37.8 million in expenses went to program services, 11.8% to management and general and 7.8% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Ceres pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Ceres reported for one person in the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025 was $372,824, for the role of CEO AND PRESIDENT (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Ceres get its money?
Of $33.6 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025, 82.1% came from contributions and grants and 15.4% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Ceres a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 22-3053747 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025, object 202632379349301138 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2024, object 202532399349301358 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2023, object 202442439349300424 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2022, object 202342419349301349 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2021, object 202202529349300045 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2020, object 202132439349300648 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 22-3053747: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.