EIN 52-1436778

Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
253
Year formed
1985
Most recent tax filings
2024-03-01
Description
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) uses the power of the law to protect the environment and health of the Southeast.
Total revenues
$62,847,748
2024
Total expenses
$43,104,630
2024
Total assets
$259,911,032
2024
Num. employees
253
2024

Program areas at SELC

Energy: goals - to promote and secure a sustainable energy policy across the south that protects the people and natural resources of the region, enhances the economy, and minimizes the health, Environmental, and economic harm of energy development and air pollution, including greenhouse gases. In pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to reduce fossil fuel use and air pollution, promote clean energy, and reduce consumers' energy bills and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Wetlands and coasts: goals - to protect and preserve the wetlands and high priority coastal ecosystems in the south for the benefit of wildlife, marine life, and people. In pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to protect wetlands, wildlife and marine life and to safeguard communities from flooding and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Water: goals - to protect and restore water quality and water flow to ensure surface and ground waters in our region can meet long-term human and ecological needs. In pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to protect drinking water and waterways from pollution and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
National forests and parks: goals - to ensure that Southern appalachian national forests are managed primarily for fish and wildlife, clean water, recreation and scenic beauty, and to protect the integrity of the great smoky mountains, shenandoah and other national park units. In pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to protect the national forests and parks and the public resources therein and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Land and community: goals - to promote vibrant communities and the protection of natural and rural areas, and to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants through smarter growth and more sustainable transportation systems. Selc litigates cases that pursue these goals to the benefit of the region's citizens and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Wildlife: goals - to protect and preserve the south's rich biodiversity and habitats. Selc litigates cases to protect and preserve the region's rich biodiversity and wildlife habitat and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Air: goals - to achieve high air quality across the region, with specific focus on heavily industrialized communities. In pursuit of these goals, selc litigates cases to reduce harmful air pollution and enforce existing public health protections and to enforce existing laws and regulations.
Environmental justice: goals - to partner with historically disadvantaged communities to ensure that all communities in our region have clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment and that selc's program areas incorporate considerations of Environmental justice through the organization's work. Selc achieves these goals through established program areas, including by litigating cases to enforce existing laws and regulations. Environmental justice efforts are embedded across various program areas and support the organization's overarching mission.
Other programs

Grants made by SELC

GranteeGrant descriptionAmount
Tides FoundationFrontline Justice Fund Contribution$250,000
Virginia Wilderness CommitteeGrant for VWC To Support Work in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests$15,000

Who funds Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC)

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Foundation for the CarolinasCharitable Gift$29,462,000
Climate Imperative FoundationTo Support Research, Education, and Outreach on the Transition From Fossil Fuels To Clean Energy$1,373,182
Vanguard Charitable Endowment ProgramFor Recipient's Exempt Purpose$1,202,700
...and 164 more grants received totalling $41,487,171

Financials for SELC

RevenuesFYE 03/2024
Total grants, contributions, etc.$57,046,360
Program services$959,789
Investment income and dividends$4,975,510
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$-137,092
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$3,181
Total revenues$62,847,748

Organizations like SELC

OrganizationLocationRevenue
EarthjusticeSan Francisco, CA$125,960,142
Population ConnectionWashington, DC$16,287,942
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)Washington, DC$74,419,348
350 OrgBoston, MA$19,587,115
Southern Poverty Law CenterMontgomery, AL$129,063,290
National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)Boston, MA$19,660,295
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)Silver Spring, MD$16,041,239
Food and Water WatchWashington, DC$22,269,907
National Women's Law CenterWashington, DC$41,359,014
Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF)Sacramento, CA$47,934,509
Data update history
June 18, 2025
Updated personnel
Identified 32 new personnel
April 23, 2025
Received grants
Identified 10 new grant, including a grant for $100,000 from Tortuga Charitable Foundation
February 28, 2025
Updated personnel
Identified 2 new personnel
January 19, 2025
Received grants
Identified 75 new grant, including a grant for $29,462,000 from Foundation for the Carolinas
January 8, 2025
Used new vendors
Identified 3 new vendors, including , , and
Nonprofit Types
Legal service nonprofitsEnvironmental organizationsCharities
Issues
EducationEnvironmentLegal services
Characteristics
Political advocacyLobbyingOperates internationallyNational levelEndowed supportTax deductible donationsAccepts online donations
General information
Address
120 Garrett St 400
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Metro area
Charlottesville, VA
County
Charlottesville city, VA
Website URL
southernenvironment.org/about-us/office/charlottesville-headquarters/ 
Phone
(434) 977-4090
Facebook page
southernenvironment 
Twitter profile
@selc_org 
IRS details
EIN
52-1436778
Fiscal year end
March
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1985
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
C60: Environmental Education
NAICS code, primary
5411: Legal Services
Parent/child status
Independent
California AB-488 details
AB 488 status
May Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes
Charity Registration status
Current
FTB status revoked
Not revoked
AG Registration Number
CT0136612
FTB Entity ID
None yet
AB 488 data last updated ("as-of") date
2025-07-16
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