The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy reported $1.75 billion in revenue and $1.44 billion in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $71.29 went to program services, $14.69 to management and general costs and $14.02 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 76.5% of the total. Government grants made up 12.8%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $936,855 (DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER). 1,729 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 54% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $1.44BFor 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 June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $1.75BThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 71.3% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 14.7% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 14.0% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.15 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 76.5% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 12.8% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 9.5% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $936,855 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.07% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 1,729 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 69.7 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 18 of 20 | 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 expenseThe Nature Conservancy (tnc) is focused on conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. We work across six continents, including in more than 80 countries and territories, and all 50 states in the U.S., to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Our vision is a future where people and nature thrive. Grounded by decades of local on-the-ground experience, we maximize our ability to affect change by bringing together real-world solutions, policy expertise, sustainable financing, and collaborative partnerships. Working with partners around the world, tnc continues…
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Director/trustee, officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $879,344 | $0 | $57,511 | $936,855 |
| CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $777,903 | $0 | $54,110 | $832,013 |
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer, 35.00 hrs/week | $564,039 | $0 | $31,948 | $595,987 |
| CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $522,080 | $0 | $60,398 | $582,478 |
| DIVISION DIRECTOR (UNTIL 11/24) Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $524,621 | $0 | $56,113 | $580,734 |
| GLOBAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $515,172 | $0 | $53,066 | $568,238 |
| GENERAL COUNSEL Key employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $491,376 | $0 | $39,841 | $531,217 |
| CONS PROGRAMS & SCIENCE DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 35.00 hrs/week | $460,150 | $0 | $45,296 | $505,446 |
1,729 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from The Nature Conservancy (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $5.7M (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–1b20 · 18 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 5Yes
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26Yes
- 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 55,150
- Volunteers Part I, line 614,200
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| PERSONAL FUNDRAISING SERVICES LLC Professional fundraising services | $10,615,063 |
| ACCENTURE LLP Consulting services | $8,520,268 |
| 3SIXTY FUNDRAISING LLC Professional fundraising services | $7,011,510 |
| DM GROUP INC Direct mail services | $6,103,392 |
| VERILY LIFE SCIENCE LLC Conservation services | $5,600,000 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 521 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
1,261 private foundations reported grants to The Nature Conservancy totaling $110M 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 The Nature Conservancy's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for The Nature Conservancy, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 The Nature Conservancy spent in FY2025, $71.29 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- New Venture FundWashington, DC · revenue $662M · programs 94.7% · 2024
- Environmental Defense FundNew York, NY · revenue $443M · programs 88.2% · FY2025
- Ducks UnlimitedMemphis, TN · revenue $380M · programs 85.5% · FY2025
- World Wildlife FundWashington, DC · revenue $367M · programs 78.9% · FY2025
- Center for Sustainable EnergySan Diego, CA · revenue $336M · programs 92.9% · 2024
Questions people ask
How much of The Nature Conservancy's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, The Nature Conservancy reported that 71.3% of its $1.44 billion in expenses went to program services, 14.7% to management and general and 14.0% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does The Nature Conservancy pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation The Nature Conservancy reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $936,855, for the role of DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does The Nature Conservancy get its money?
Of $1.75 billion in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 76.5% came from contributions and grants (including 12.8% from government grants) and 9.5% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is The Nature Conservancy a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 53-0242652 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 June 30, 2025, object 202611349349310061 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202511289349301711 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202431279349301813 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202321329349304902 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 (amended), object 202322099349300922 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131349349307088 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 53-0242652: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.