League of Conservation Voters
| League of Conservation Voters | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Pete Maysmith, President |
| Founder(s): | David Brower |
| Website: | Official website |
TheLeague of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a501(c)(4)nonprofit organization that aims to educate the public regarding environmental legislation and support what the group considers to be pro-environmental public policies and political candidates. LCV is headquartered inWashington, D.C.[1][2][3] According to it's website, the organization "advances policy solutions that ensure clean air, clean water, and access to our democracy are not a privilege but a right afforded to every community."[4]
Background
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) was founded in 1969 by environmental activist David Brower. As a501(c)(4)nonprofit organization, the group aims to educate the public regarding environmental legislation and support what the group considers to be pro-environmental public policies and political candidates.[1][2]
LCV maintains a network of local affiliates in 32 states and theDistrict of Columbia. LCV membership grew from roughly 161,000 members in 2008 to nearly 1.2 million members by August 2015.[5]
According to the organization's website, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has the following mission statement:
| “ | We envision a world in which tackling the climate crisis, confronting environmental injustice, and strengthening our democracy lead to cleaner and healthier communities, good, well-paying jobs, and a just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.[6][7] | ” |
Leadership
In 2025, the organization named Pete Maysmith as its next president.[8]
Work
The League of Conservation Voters' website lists the following as things it does:
| “ | We campaign for policy and legislation, including passing the most significant climate bill in U.S. history. We fight to expand ballot access and protect and strengthen our democracy through legislation and executive action. | ” |
Political activity
In 2012, the organization spent $11 million on election ads, supportingBarack Obama's (D) re-election campaign, and opposing theU.S. Senate candidacies ofGeorge Allen (R-Va.) andHeather Wilson (R-N.M.).[1]
In 2024, the organization spent $42.5 million in support of Democratic candidates.[10]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia'scoverage scope.
| Endorsee | Election | Stage | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raquel Terán source (D) | U.S. House Arizona District 3 (2024) | Primary | Lost Primary |
| Lateefah Simon source (D) | U.S. House California District 12 (2024) | Primary | Won General |
| George Whitesides source (D) | U.S. House California District 27 (2024) | Primary | Won General |
| Jamaal Bowman source (D, Working Families Party) | U.S. House New York District 16 (2024) | Primary | Withdrew in General |
| Colin Allred source (D) | U.S. Senate Texas (2024) | Primary | Lost General |
| Shontel Brown source (D) | U.S. House Ohio District 11 (2022) | Primary | Won General |
| Measure | Position | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| California Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment (2025) source | Support | Approved |
| Maine Question 6, Require Indian Treaty Obligations and Other Constitutional Provisions Included in Official Printing Amendment (2023) source | Support | Approved |
Affiliation and alliances
The group's affiliated501(c)(3)nonprofit organization, the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, seeks to encourage participation in the political process and educate the public and policymakers regarding what the group considers to be significant environmental issues.[11]
LCV's affiliatedpolitical action committees, theLeague of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund, support the overarching LCV mission by making independent expenditures, campaign contributions, and endorsements in support of pro-environmental candidates.[2][12]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of League of Conservation Voters' revenues and expenses from 2015 to 2022. The information comes from theInternal Revenue Service
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $20.4 million | $19.8 million |
| 2016 | $38.8 million | $40.3 million |
| 2017 | $32.7 million | $26.1 million |
| 2018 | $65.1 million | $66.5 million |
| 2019 | $34 million | $36.9 million |
| 2020 | $78.1 million | $71.6 million |
| 2021 | $114.8 million | $94.1 million |
| 2022 | $68.9 million | $91 million |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsLeague of Conservation Voters. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- League of Conservation Voters homepage
- League of Conservation Voters on Twitter
- League of Conservation Voters on Facebook
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.11.2The Center for Public Integrity, "Nonprofit profile: League of Conservation Voters Inc.," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑2.02.12.2League of Conservation Voters, "Mission," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑League of Conservation Voters, "Contact," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑League of Conservation Voters, "Advancing Policy," accessed November 13, 2025
- ↑League of Conservation Voters, "State LCVs," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑League of Conservation Voters, "About Us," accessed November 13, 2025
- ↑7.07.1Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑League of Conservation Voters, "LCV Names Pete Maysmith Next President," March 19, 2025
- ↑League of Conservation Voters, "Homepage," accessed November 13, 2025
- ↑Washington Post, "Meet the megadonors pumping over $2.5 billion into the election," October 28, 2024
- ↑League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, "About," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑Open Secrets, "League of Conservation Voters," accessed October 11, 2016
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