2026-07-18T16:48:43-07:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 931323758 CRAG LAW CENTER CRAG 5035252728 3141 E BURNSIDE ST PORTLAND OR 97214 Courtney Johnson Executive Director 5035252728 2026-07-18 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z COURTNEY JOHNSON 3141 E BURNSIDE ST PORTLAND OR 97214 1946823 0 X CRAG.ORG X 2001 OR CRAG LAW CENTER IS A CLIENT-FOCUSED LAW CENTER THAT SUPPORTS COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST'S NATURAL LEGACY. 9 9 18 70 0 0 1755445 1345846 332457 453431 34491 81660 8152 6197 2130545 1887134 0 0 0 0 1165092 1307737 0 0 298248 207433 216122 1372525 1523859 758020 363275 4155217 4487958 155131 99952 4000086 4388006 PROVIDING LEGAL AID TO THE ENVIRONMENT BY PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST'S NATURAL LEGACY. 0 0 375549 0 390949 CRAG LAW CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS & COMMUNITIES WORKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, CRAG HAS PROVIDED SERVICES TO OVER ONE HUNDRED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. LEGAL SERVICES FOCUS ON PROTECTION OF THE WILD, COMMUNITIES & THE CLIMATE. THESE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED FOR FREE, AT BELOW MARKET RATES AND/OR ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS TO THE COMMUNITY. CRAG SERVICES INCLUDE ASSISTANCE WITH BRINGING LITIGATION IN STATE & FEDERAL COURTS, WITH MEDIATION & SETTLEMENT OF COMPLEX NATURAL RESOURCE DISPUTES, & WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION. CRAG ALSO PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN NON-PROFIT FORMATION, MANAGEMENT & OUTREACH FOR NON-PROFITS WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. CRAG ALSO WORKS WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO HOLD PUBLIC EVENTS INCLUDING SCREENINGS OF FILMS THAT ADDRESS VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THESE EVENTS HELP TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES & THE LEGAL TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. CRAG'S 2025 CASES LITIGATED OR IN LITIGATION WERE WHERE FEES WERE RECOVERED: (1) GREATER HELLS CANYON COUNCIL ET AL - EASTSIDE SCREENS. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS CHALLENGING RULE CHANGE TO REMOVE PROTECTION FOR LARGE TREES ON FEDERAL FORESTS EAST OF THE CASCADES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF LARGE TREES AND WILDLIFE HABITAT ON PUBLIC LANDS. FEE AWARD: $364,946 (2) OREGON WILD - GRASSHOPPER PROJECT. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN CHALLENGING LOGGING PROJECT ON MT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF FOREST HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY. FEE INCOME: $9,000. (3) WATERWATCH OF OREGON - WINCHESTER DAM. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS RELATED TO PRIVATE DAM REPAIRS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY AND FISH HABITAT. FEE INCOME $6,923. (4) CASCADIA WILDLANDS, - ROGUE GOLD LOGGING PROJECT. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN CHALLENGE TO LOGGING PROJECT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. FEE INCOME: $5,000 (5)COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER, 1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON - NEXT RENEWABLES. REPRESENT CONSERVATION GROUPS TO CHALLENGE CONVERSION OF FARMLAND TO INDUSTRIAL USES INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE FUELS PRODUCTION. PUBLIC BENEFIT. PROTECTION OF FARM LANDS AND RURAL ECONOMIC VALUES. FEE INCOME: $5,000. (6) GREATER HELLS CANYON CONSERVATION COUNCIL V. US DEPT OF AG - REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO ENFORCE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FOR RELEASE OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS RELATED TO RULE CHANGE TO ROLLBACK PROTECTIONS FOR LARGE TREES ON FEDERAL FORESTS EASTS OF THE CASCADES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND PROTECTION OF LARGE TREES AND MATURE FORESTS ON EASTSIDE PUBLIC LANDS. FEE INCOME: $80. 375549 0 62482 CRAG'S WORK ALSO INCLUDED NON-LITIGATION SERVICES WHICH GENERATED $62,482 IN FEE INCOME AT WELL BELOW MARKET RATES: (1) NEZ PERCE TRIBE - REPRESENT TRIBE IN NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT & CLEAN UP FOR THE PORTLAND HARBOR SUPERFUND SITE. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IN THE LOWER WILLAMETTE RIVER. (2) SURFRIDER - ADVISE SURFRIDER ON COASTAL ACCESS AND BEACH PROTECTION POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF OREGON'S COASTAL ECOLOGICAL AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES. (3) 1000 FRIENDS - FRIENDS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY. REPRESENT COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CHALLENGE REZONE OF RURAL LANDS TO URBAN USES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF FARM AND FOREST LANDS. (4) JUST CROSSING ALLIANCE - COLUMBIA RIVER CROSSING. ADVISE COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC PROCESS RELATED TO INTERSTATE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING FOR PROTECTION OF COMMUNITY AND RIVER HEALTH. (5) WASHINGTON CONSERVATION ALLIANCE - TYPE NP RULE. REPRESENT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN DEFENDING WASHINGTON STATE REGULATION TO INCREASE BUFFER AROUND WATERWAYS FROM LOGGING ACTIVITES. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTION OF WATER QUALITY AND RIPARIAN HABITAT. 375549 0 0 CRAG ALSO PROVIDED LEGAL SERVICES FOR FREE ON ISSUES & FOR A WIDE RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS INCLUDING: (1) CLIMATE - WORK WITH PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & COMMUNITY GROUPS TO RESEARCH, DEVELOP & ENGAGE IN CLIMATE POLICY AT THE STATE & LOCAL LEVEL. PUBLIC BENEFIT: SUPPORT POLICIES TO PROMOTE A SUSTAINABLE CLIMATE & CLIMATE RESILIENCY IN IMPACTED COMMUNITIES. (2) PUBLIC LANDS DEFENSE - ADVISE PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS ON POLICY CHANGES PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC LANDS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PUBLIC OUTREACH & EDUCATION TO DEVELOP SOUND POLICY FOR LAND MANAGERS THAT PROTECT COMMUNITIES, WATER SUPPLIES, WILDLIFE & FOREST ECOSYSTEMS. (3) CONSULTATION ON CONSERVATION ISSUES & POLICY GUIDANCE FOR VARIOUS CLIENTS - PUBLIC BENEFIT: WORKING WITH CLIENTS ON COLLABORATIVE & CREATIVE OPTIONS FOR PROTECTING OREGON'S NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING ITS AIR, WATER & PUBLIC HEALTH. (4) FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE - REPRESENT PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS TO CHALLENGE NEW OR EXPANDED FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTING AIR QUALITY & REDUCING CLIMATE IMPACTS. (5) PROTECTING FARMLAND - WORK WITH GROUPS INCLUDING THRIVE HOOD RIVER AND 1000 FRIENDS OF OREGON TO UPHOLD LAND USE LAWS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTING FARMLAND AND FOREST LANDS FROM URBANIZATION, PRESERVING LOCAL FOOD SECURITY. (6) NATIVE FISH RECOVERY - REPRESENT ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER AND WATERWATCH OF OREGON TO ENFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND DAM ENFORCEMENT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECT AND RESTORE HABITAT FOR THREATENED OREGON COAST COHO SALMON AND OTHER NATIVE FISH. (7) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - WORK WITH BEYOND TOXICS, VERDE, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE STATE AND FEDERAL IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICIES, SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OF WATER QUALITY & HAZARDOUS WASTE LAWS. PUBLIC BENEFIT: PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH & ACCESS TO CLEAN AIR AND WATER. (8) COASTAL ACCESS AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION - REPRESENT OREGON SHORES CONSERVATION COALITION IN A VARIETY OF LEGAL FORUMS IN ORDER TO PROTECT COASTAL WETLANDS, STREAMS & FORESTS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DEVELOPMENT. PUBLIC BENEFIT: REDUCING IMPACTS TO WETLANDS & STREAMS FROM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES. 0 0 0 1126647 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 0 1 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA OR WA X COURTNEY JOHNSON 5035252728 3141 E BURNSIDE ST PORTLAND OR 97214 COURTNEY JOHNSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 0 X X 124000 0 15565 OLIVER STIEFEL SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY 40 0 X 112000 0 14965 MERIEL DARZEN SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY 40 0 X 112000 0 12725 SUZANNE SAVELL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 40 0 X 102000 0 13215 COURTNEY RAE BOARD CHAIR 2 0 X X 0 0 0 LORI ANN BURD SECRETARY 2 0 X X 0 0 0 HANS EUGENE BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 CHESTER LEE BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 KENNY HAMLETT BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 JANE STEADMAN BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 KA'SHA BERNARD BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 MARK TUAI BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 MO WIESER BOARD MEMBER 2 0 X 0 0 0 450000 0 56470 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 72260 0 0 1273586 0 1345846 PROGRAM FEE INCOME 541100 453431 453431 0 0 0 0 0 0 453431 81660 0 0 81660 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 65593 72260 59689 5904 0 5904 0 0 0 0 0 0 293 0 293 293 0 0 0 1887134 453724 0 87564 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 139565 90717 23726 25122 0 0 0 0 950805 733854 28303 188648 38840 29907 1165 7768 89079 68591 2672 17816 89448 67086 4472 17890 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18135 0 18135 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16374 16374 0 0 9342 4487 369 4486 38709 19112 3348 16249 9453 1380 3345 4728 0 0 0 0 72591 54444 3630 14517 3296 3296 0 0 0 0 0 0 8739 7961 467 311 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3566 2674 179 713 9153 0 9153 0 RESEARCH MATERIALS, SUBSCRIPTIONS 20596 20596 0 0 PROGRAM MEETINGS, EVENTS, OUTREACH, EXPENSES 6168 6168 0 0 1523859 1126647 98964 298248 564859 874803 2927349 3172434 476984 312193 14242 18694 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27939 21315 43313 37837 6544 5476 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 137300 83043 4155217 4487958 2225 5841 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 152906 94111 155131 99952 X 3250587 3668123 749499 719883 4000086 4388006 4155217 4487958 363275 24645 0 0 0 0 X 1 X 0 0 0 X 1546057 1137004 949725 1755445 1345846 6734077 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1546057 1137004 949725 1755445 1345846 6734077 1570438 5163639 1414 1591 23055 34491 81659 142210 0 0 0 0 0 0 19219 18965 46199 54361 65887 204631 7080918 1566903 0.72923 0.74922 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 PROCEEDS DERIVED FROM BENEFIT AND PROGRAM EVENTS, STIPENDS AND PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43313 0 37837 5476 0 0 0 0 5476 0 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 57334 CLIENT TRUST ACCOUNTS 25709 EMPLOYEE ACCRUED VACATION & FSA CONTRIBUTIONS 11068 94111 AUCTIONS 137854 72261 65593 0 0 0 34152 21334 4203 0 0 137854 72261 65593 0 0 0 34152 21334 4203 59689 5904 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b BEFORE THE 990 IS FILED A COPY OF THE DRAFT 990 AND 990 SCHEDULES ARE PROVIDED TO BOARD MEMBERS VIA EMAIL FOR REVIEW. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c DURING THE YEAR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAINTAINS CONSTANT CONTACT WITH BOARD MEMBERS REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION'S PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARE AVOIDED AND/OR IDENTIFIED AND DISCLOSED. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER EMPLOYEES BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE EMPLOYEES, THE STATE OF THE OVERALL ECONOMY AND THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE ON FILE IN THE CRAG OFFICE AND ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ARE ON FILE IN THE CRAG OFFICE AND ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE ORGANIZATION DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REQUESTS TO REVIEW IT'S RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN 2025.