Climateworks Foundation
94% goes to programs $1 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Climateworks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in San Francisco, California, registered in 2009, with $350,641,228 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A+, and it directs about 94% of spending to programs.
235 Montgomery St Ste 1300, San Francisco, CA, 94104 EIN 26-2303250 Since 2009
Revenue (FY2024)
$350.6M
▲ 31.6% vs prior year
Science & Tech median: $288K
Expenses (FY2024)
$317.3M
Net assets
$441.4M
Employees
189
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A+
A+Program efficiency40% of the rating94% to programs · $1 to raise $100
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 Climateworks Foundation: 94% to programs · $1 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating17 mo reserves · +10% margin
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 Climateworks Foundation: 17 mo reserves · +10% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
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 Climateworks Foundation: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
ATransparency10% of the rating4 of 5 disclosure signals
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 Climateworks Foundation: 4 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
To end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy.
Contact & location
- Address
- 235 Montgomery St Ste 1300, San Francisco, CA, 94104
- City
- San Francisco
- State
- California
- Category
- Science & Technology
- Subcategory
- Support Foundations & Fundraising
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $49.8M (FY2016) to $350.6M (FY2024) across 9 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $91.8MNet assets $441.4M
Operating margin
9.5%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$533.1M
Total liabilities
$91.8M
Net assets
$441.4M
Salaries & benefits
$43.1M
14% of expenses
Board members
11
10 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $350,641,228▲31.6% | $317,281,654▲20.2% | $441,352,974▲8.1% | $533,132,275▲13.2% | 990 |
| 2023 | $266,466,761▼19.4% | $264,000,632▼25.7% | $408,217,299▲1.5% | $470,889,781▼6.4% | 990 |
| 2022 | $330,535,203▼9.7% | $355,547,001▲97.4% | $402,294,958▼6.5% | $503,138,297 | 990 |
| 2021 | $366,181,053▲105% | $180,102,407▲62.9% | $430,338,935▲76.4% | $503,195,695▲84.7% | 990 |
| 2020 | $178,775,280▲91.0% | $110,586,077▲24.5% | $243,964,809▲39.8% | $272,486,239▲33.8% | 990 |
| 2019 | $93,577,498▼42.5% | $88,821,381▼5.7% | $174,514,799▲3.4% | $203,699,739▲1.1% | 990 |
| 2018 | $162,843,468▲62.7% | $94,198,287▲23.4% | $168,758,682▲68.5% | $201,420,370▲70.2% | 990 |
| 2017 | $100,104,903▲101% | $76,314,661▼16.1% | $100,124,351▲31.3% | $118,319,393▲36.4% | 990 |
| 2016 | $49,823,959 | $90,981,941 | $76,268,743 | $86,719,996 | 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.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Helen Mountford — $622,909 (0.20% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Mountford | President and Ceo | 40 | $622,909 |
| Shawn Reifsteck | Managing Director | 40 | $493,190 |
| Irene Kim | Vp, Philanthropic Partnerships | 40 | $468,537 |
| Charles Mcelwee | Vp, Programs | 40 | $455,221 |
| Surabi Menon | Vp, Global Intelligence | 40 | $441,807 |
| Brian Mccracken | Cfo, Treasurer | 40 | $432,962 |
| Michael Bosse | Deputy Vp, Programs | 40 | $399,581 |
| Lindsey Allen | Executive Director, Clua | 40 | $383,661 |
| Shelagh Whitley | Senior Director, Sustainable Finance | 40 | $377,834 |
| Anthony Eggert | Senior Director, Transportation | 40 | $365,341 |
| Jan Derrickson | Sr. Director, Carbon Dioxide Removal | 40 | $361,938 |
| Rebecca Dell | Senior Director, Industry | 40 | $348,655 |
| Negar Naraghi | Senior Director, Human Resources | 40 | $327,084 |
| Makeeba Browne | Chief of Equity, Justice and Culture | 40 | $325,608 |
| Gretchen Rau | Secretary | 40 | $208,508 |
| Antha Williams | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Arunabha Ghosh | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Caio Koch-weser | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Carlos Lopes | Board Director | 2 | — |
| Franklin M Orr Jr | Board Chair | 2 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgespan Group | Program & Professional Services | $1,475,000 |
| Pt Jestio Bario Neurone | Program Services | $968,237 |
| Dalberg Consulting Us LLC | Program & Professional Services | $690,000 |
| Conservation Strategy Group LLC | Program Services | $684,000 |
| Cv Partners Inc | Professional Staffing & Recruiting | $667,401 |
Grants received · $419.8M total
58 grants to Climateworks Foundation totaling $419.8M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Environment & animal protection | 2024 | $25,000,000 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $15,100,000 |
| Fiduciary Charitable Foundation | Donations | 2024 | $500,000 |
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation | Policy development | 2024 | $470,000 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Environment | 2024 | $250,000 |
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation | Unlock markets & demand | 2024 | $200,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $98,155,925 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2023 | $18,900,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Environment & animal protection | 2023 | $10,000,000 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Education | 2023 | $6,241,448 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Public, societal benefit | 2023 | $2,529,000 |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | To support research, education, and outreach about clean transportation policies | 2023 | $1,400,000 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Environment | 2023 | $1,000,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $625,000 |
| Fiduciary Charitable Foundation | Donations | 2023 | $250,000 |
Grants made · $96.3M in FY2024
140 grants totaling $96.3M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Climateworks Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Energy Foundation | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ($750,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($1,670,000); sustainable maritime shipping ($1,300,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($8,839,098); for climate-related research and analysis ($200,000) | $12,759,098 |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support the global transition to clean transportation | $9,039,098 |
| International Council On Clean Transportation | To support the transition to a sustainable aviation sector ($330,473); responsible carbon removal and restore the climate ($89,527); sustainable maritime shipping ($1,100,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($6,125,000); general operating support ($800,000); to reduce emissions from non-carbon pollutants ($400,000) | $8,845,000 |
| International Sustainable Energy Foundation | To support the global transition to clean transportation | $6,148,938 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated | To support the transition to a sustainable aviation sector ($250,000); sustainable maritime shipping ($650,000); the transition to a sustainable finance system ($100,000); responsible carbon removal and restore the climate ($110,000); decarbonization efforts and the transition to clean energy in china ($2,000,000); to support the transition to a sustainable food system ($350,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($722,129) | $4,182,129 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | To support communities in building inclusive models for clean energy transition ($100,000); communities most affected by climate change ($950,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($2,025,000); reliable access to minerals that benefit energy transition ($150,000); the transition to a sustainable finance system ($250,000); for climate-related research and analysis ($180,000) | $3,655,000 |
| Global Energy Monitor | To support the global energy transition to renewables ($2,600,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($350,000) | $2,950,000 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council Inc | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ($746,302); the global transition to clean transportation ($100,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($1,987,000) | $2,833,302 |
| Pacific Environment and Resources Center | To support sustainable maritime shipping | $2,410,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Institute | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ($605,344); sustainable maritime shipping ($460,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($748,000); the transition to a sustainable financial system ($130,000); for an event ($30,000) | $1,973,344 |
| Calstart Inc | To support the global transition to clean transportation | $1,950,000 |
| C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc | To protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($400,000); to support the global transition to clean transportation ($1,350,000) | $1,750,000 |
| Clasp | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions | $1,705,659 |
| World Resources Institute | To support the transition to a sustainable aviation sector ($400,000); to support responsible carbon removal and restore the climate ($300,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($165,000); the transition to a sustainable financial system ($100,000); to protect and support the potential of forested and other landscapes to mitigate climate change ($300,000); for climate-related research and analysis ($275,000) | $1,540,000 |
| Public Citizen Foundation Inc | To protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($972,188); to support the transition to a sustainable financial system ($441,399) | $1,413,587 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Climateworks Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Climateworks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 26-2303250, based in San Francisco, California. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Climateworks Foundation's EIN?
- Climateworks Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 26-2303250.
- How much revenue does Climateworks Foundation report?
- Climateworks Foundation reported $350,641,228 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Climateworks Foundation's spending goes to programs?
- Climateworks Foundation spends about 94% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Climateworks Foundation have?
- CharityIndex grades Climateworks Foundation A+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Climateworks Foundation's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Climateworks Foundation's latest Form 990 is $622,909, paid to Helen Mountford (President and Ceo).
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Data for Climateworks Foundation (EIN 26-2303250) 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.