Water Environment Federation
Water Environment Federation reported $31.0 million in revenue and $28.6 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $74.40 went to program services, $25.60 to management and general costs and $0.00 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 86.7% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $238,571 (Chief Mission Officer). 38 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 16% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending August 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $29MFor 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 August 31, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $31MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 74.4% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 25.6% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 0.0% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.00 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 8.5% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 2.1% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 86.7% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $238,571 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.83% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 38 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 11.3 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 11 of 11 | 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 expenseWEFTEC is the most comprehensive gathering of water quality professionals and thought leaders, featuring the sector's leading technical education program; an extensive exhibition showcasing the field's most cutting-edge solutions; and a variety of valuable networking opportunities. WEFTEC provides access to the latest technologies, services and products for those looking to design, build, maintain, or upgrade water management systems and programs
Technical Programs, Seminars, and Workshops - As the leading source of water quality expertise, WEF is committed to advancing the professional workforce development of the water sector through educational seminars and workshops that focus on environmental, sustainability, and public health topics. WEF provides education to water professionals from over 70 countries at WEFTEC as well as at WEF's specialty conferences. WEF's educational content includes all areas of water resources management, including utility management and operations, collection systems, stormwater, water and wastewater…
Public Outreach & Advocacy - WEF's public outreach and advocacy programs encompass a broad range of activities intended to better inform the public and policy leaders of critical issues and the vital role water resources play in the everyday lives of citizens. These programs include coordinating all interviews and meetings with media/news outlets, writing and dissemination of all society news releases, training society leaders and members in public communications and effective media relations, providing communications counsel to the Federation's various member associations. WEF's water…
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Mission Officer Key employee, 37.50 hrs/week | $223,058 | $0 | $15,513 | $238,571 |
| Sr. Director, Information Technology Highest compensated employee, 37.50 hrs/week | $225,079 | $0 | $8,945 | $234,024 |
| Managing Dir., Publishing Highest compensated employee, 37.50 hrs/week | $213,654 | $0 | $19,526 | $233,180 |
| Chief Financal Officer Officer, 37.50 hrs/week | $209,131 | $0 | $23,297 | $232,428 |
| Account Manager Highest compensated employee, 37.50 hrs/week | $201,697 | $0 | $30,255 | $231,952 |
| Secretary & WEF Executive Director Officer, 37.50 hrs/week | $201,422 | $0 | $19,120 | $220,542 |
| Dir., Facilities Management Highest compensated employee, 37.50 hrs/week | $201,087 | $0 | $17,703 | $218,790 |
| Managing Dir., Governance Highest compensated employee, 37.50 hrs/week | $209,888 | $0 | $8,183 | $218,071 |
38 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Water Environment Federation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $740K (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–1b11 · 11 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 11aNo
- 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 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5103
- Volunteers Part I, line 63,200
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| Freeman Decorating and AV Rentals | $923,514 |
| Nic Christy Advertising Services | $460,743 |
| Event Transportation Systems Shuttle Services | $390,054 |
| CSG Creative Marketing Services | $388,176 |
| Brightkey Inc Membership Services | $372,425 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 23 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
1 private foundation reported grants to Water Environment Federation totaling $162 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 Water Environment Federation's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Water Environment Federation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Water Environment Federation spent in FY2025, $74.40 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
Embed on your site
Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem StudiesMillbrook, NY · revenue $31M · programs 75.5% · FY2025
- Buffalo Bayou PartnershipHouston, TX · revenue $31M · programs 94.2% · 2024
- Southern Appalachian Highlands ConservancyAsheville, NC · revenue $31M · programs 93.4% · FY2025
- New England Interstate Water Pollution Control CommissionLowell, MA · revenue $32M · programs 91.5% · FY2025
- Activate GlobalBerkeley, CA · revenue $31M · programs 79.9% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of Water Environment Federation's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025, Water Environment Federation reported that 74.4% of its $28.6 million in expenses went to program services, 25.6% to management and general and 0.0% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Water Environment Federation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Water Environment Federation reported for one person in the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025 was $238,571, for the role of Chief Mission Officer (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Water Environment Federation get its money?
Of $31.0 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025, 8.5% came from contributions and grants (including 2.1% from government grants) and 86.7% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Water Environment Federation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 53-0225129 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 August 31, 2025, object 202620839349300212 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024, object 202501329349302090 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023, object 202411369349304341 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2022, object 202341089349302009 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2021, object 202231549349300618 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2020, object 202101449349300725 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 53-0225129: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.