Breakthrough Energy Action Inc is a 501(c)(4) organization based in Kirkland, Washington, registered in 2022, with $4,748,389 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it C, and it directs about 99% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$4.7M
▲ 251.6% vs prior year
Environment median: $250K
Expenses (FY2024)
$32.2M
Net assets
$24.1M
Employees
0
Rated on 4 of 4 criteria.
Held down by its weakest criterion — a strong score on one criterion can't hide a weak one.
How the rating works →Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Breakthrough Energy Action Inc: 99% to programs · $0 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Breakthrough Energy Action Inc: 9 mo reserves · -578% margin earns a F on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Breakthrough Energy Action Inc: 3 of 6 checks met earns a C+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Breakthrough Energy Action Inc: 4 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Breakthrough energy is accelerating transformation by supporting cutting-edge research and development, investing in companies that turn green ideas into clean products, and advocating for policies that speed innovation from lab to market. through philanthropic programs, policy and advocacy efforts, and other initiatives, breakthrough energy works with a global network of partners to accelerate the technologies we need to build a carbon-free economy.
Revenue declined from $61.0M (FY2020) to $4.7M (FY2024) across 5 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
-578.0%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$24.5M
Total liabilities
$439K
Net assets
$24.1M
Salaries & benefits
$0
0% of expenses
Board members
2
2 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,748,389▲252% | $32,195,829▲68.4% | $24,051,781▼53.3% | $24,490,334▼52.7% | 990 |
| 2023 | $1,350,335▼97.3% | $19,119,779▼50.0% | $51,499,221▼25.7% | $51,744,346▼28.2% | 990 |
| 2022 | $50,058,712▲23.0% | $38,260,125▼12.1% | $69,268,665▲20.5% | $72,047,302▲20.0% | 990 |
| 2021 | $40,710,518▼33.3% | $43,503,931▲5597% | $57,470,078▼4.6% | $60,032,686▼1.5% | 990 |
| 2020 | $61,027,137 | $763,646 | $60,263,491 | $60,943,660 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy Leeper | Secretary & Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Greg Nelson | Director | 1 | — |
| Michael Boots | Evp | 2 | — |
| Rodi Guidero | Managing Director | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Forge Advisors Dc LLC | Advocacy & Consulting | $457,281 |
| Boundary Stone Partners LLC | Advocacy & Consulting | $267,506 |
| Ajw Inc | Advocacy & Consulting | $201,335 |
| Group Dc | Advocacy & Consulting | $183,913 |
| Tiber Creek Group Inc | Advocacy & Consulting | $180,000 |
5 grants to Breakthrough Energy Action Inc totaling $53.8M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation | Policy development | 2024 | $4,021,314 |
| Open Philanthropy Action Fund | General support | 2024 | $404,409 |
| Open Philanthropy Action Fund | General support | 2023 | $592,469 |
| Open Philanthropy Action Fund | General support | 2022 | $761,404 |
| Open Philanthropy Action Fund | General support | 2021 | $48,012,749 |
33 grants totaling $29.5M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Breakthrough Energy Action Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| League of Conservation Voters Inc | Policy implementation | $10,500,000 |
| Climate Power | Policy development | $4,000,000 |
| Future Forward USA Action | Policy implementation | $3,000,000 |
| Climate Jobs National Resource Center Inc | Policy development | $2,000,000 |
| Clearpath Action For Conservative Clean Energy Inc | Policy development | $1,919,480 |
| Catf Action Inc | Policy implementation | $1,305,000 |
| Rainey Center Freedom Project | Policy implementation | $600,000 |
| Bipartisan Policy Center Action Inc | Policy development | $517,884 |
| Counterspark Inc | Policy development | $400,000 |
| Center For Climate and Energy Solutions Inc | Policy implementation | $370,000 |
| Nrdc Action Fund Inc | Policy development | $310,500 |
| Conservatives For A Clean Energy Future | Policy development | $307,000 |
| Clean Energy Grid Action | Policy development | $300,000 |
| Clean Energy Buyers Association | Policy development | $300,000 |
| Bluegreen Alliance Inc | Policy implementation | $272,315 |
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Data for Breakthrough Energy Action Inc (EIN 85-3694865) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.