URGENT UPDATE: The Sierra Club, the nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization, is facing a severe crisis as it grapples with a staggering 60% drop in membership since 2019. This decline comes at a critical time when environmental protections are under renewed attack from the Trump administration, which is reportedly better organized for its potential return to power in 2024.
Sources reveal the Sierra Club has lost over 2.4 million supporters from its peak of 4 million members, prompting three rounds of layoffs since 2022 as it attempts to recover from a projected $40 million budget deficit. Political contributions have also dwindled; the club donated $3.6 million during the drive to defeat Trump in 2020, but reports no donations as he campaigns for a comeback.
As the Sierra Club struggles internally, its leadership is embroiled in chaos. The recent firing of executive director Ben Jealous, the first Black leader in the organization’s history, has intensified scrutiny over the club’s direction. Jealous’s tenure was marked by allegations of harassment and mismanagement, leading to his dismissal in July 2025 amid accusations of financial irresponsibility.
The organization, originally founded in 1892 to protect the Sierra Nevada, expanded its mission to include broader social justice issues, alienating many long-time supporters who felt the club lost its focus. In a stark contrast, a survey of dues-paying members indicated that while they support racial justice, climate change remains their top priority, with concerns that the shift towards social justice could undermine the core mission.
The Sierra Club’s financial woes have only deepened following the end of Trump’s presidency, which had galvanized donations and volunteer support. In the wake of Biden’s election, contributions and membership numbers have continued to decline. The club’s missteps, including a controversial decision to cancel trips to Israel amid accusations of racism, further exacerbated the situation, leading to a drop of 130,000 champions in just one month.
As the environmental organization faces its most significant crisis in decades, experts warn that its internal strife could weaken the fight against the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental protections.
“Sierra Club is in a downward spiral,”
a group of managers wrote in a letter to leadership, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
With the Sierra Club at a crossroads, its current president, Patrick Murphy, stated he does not regret recent decisions, raising concerns about the organization’s future direction. The urgency to refocus on environmental issues has never been more critical, as the club risks becoming irrelevant in the face of escalating environmental challenges.
Looking ahead, observers are closely watching how the Sierra Club will navigate this tumultuous period. Will it revert to its environmental roots, or will it continue down a path that may alienate its core supporters? The outcome remains uncertain, but the stakes could not be higher for the future of the club and the fight for environmental justice.
