Grid Alternatives
72% goes to programs $7 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Grid Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Oakland, California, registered in 2014, with $46,882,198 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 72% of spending to programs.
1171 Ocean Ave, Oakland, CA, 94608 EIN 26-0043353 Since 2014
Revenue (FY2024)
$46.9M
▼ 25.9% vs prior year
Environment median: $250K
Expenses (FY2024)
$45.1M
Net assets
$34.9M
Employees
246
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
BProgram efficiency40% of the rating72% to programs · $7 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 Grid Alternatives: 72% to programs · $7 to raise $100 earns a B on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating9 mo reserves · +4% 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 Grid Alternatives: 9 mo reserves · +4% 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 Grid Alternatives: 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 Grid Alternatives: 4 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Grid alternatives envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by (see schedule o) renewable energy that benefits everyone. our mission is to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1171 Ocean Ave, Oakland, CA, 94608
- City
- Oakland
- State
- California
- Category
- Environment
- Subcategory
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $19.2M (FY2013) to $46.9M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $28.7MNet assets $34.9M
Operating margin
3.9%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$63.5M
Total liabilities
$28.7M
Net assets
$34.9M
Salaries & benefits
$20.7M
46% of expenses
Board members
8
8 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $46,882,198▼25.9% | $45,057,997▲19.8% | $34,868,354▲6.1% | $63,533,054▲0.4% | 990 |
| 2023 | $63,276,169▲173% | $37,598,598▲10.6% | $32,848,253▲373% | $63,289,155▲89.9% | 990 |
| 2022 | $23,149,824▼38.4% | $33,998,773▲21.1% | $6,944,327▼61.5% | $33,326,272▼18.4% | 990 |
| 2021 | $37,598,833▲38.8% | $28,083,267▲27.8% | $18,040,060▲114% | $40,864,368▲35.0% | 990 |
| 2020 | $27,084,220▲63.8% | $21,981,341▲3.3% | $8,419,007▲315% | $30,271,553▲16.3% | 990 |
| 2019 | $16,530,975▼1.8% | $21,283,249▼9.0% | $2,028,095▼70.1% | $26,024,978▲0.2% | 990 |
| 2018 | $16,841,873▼44.7% | $23,393,211▼13.2% | $6,780,369▼49.4% | $25,970,541▼6.3% | 990 |
| 2017 | $30,442,665▲78.8% | $26,947,027▲47.8% | $13,401,821▲35.3% | $27,716,507▲16.9% | 990 |
| 2016 | $17,023,762▼24.4% | $18,235,074▼8.9% | $9,906,183▼10.9% | $23,717,046▲64.6% | 990 |
| 2015 | $22,520,432▲15.8% | $20,012,776▲7.0% | $11,117,495▲29.1% | $14,411,684▲20.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $19,444,035▲1.1% | $18,709,055▲2.1% | $8,609,839▲9.3% | $11,938,817▲14.6% | 990 |
| 2013 | $19,235,059 | $18,332,502▼38.6% | $7,874,859▲12.9% | $10,418,276▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $29,878,751 | $6,972,302 | $9,598,046 | 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: Timothy Sears — $247,045 (0.55% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Sears | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $247,045 |
| Erica Mackie | Chief Executive Officer | 32 | $202,881 |
| Anhdai Tran | Vp of Regions | 40 | $196,900 |
| Christopher Walker | Vp of Policy and Programs | 40 | $187,667 |
| Christian Weaver | Vice President of Philanthropy | 40 | $181,972 |
| Hector Pena | Chief Financial Officer (thru 11/24) | 40 | $169,307 |
| Shamir Chauhan | Director - Commercial Business Dev | 40 | $162,299 |
| Lukasz Wojtaszek | Program Management Officer | 40 | $160,038 |
| Erika Hubbard | Sr. Dir., Govt Strategy and Dev | 40 | $156,443 |
| Adewale Ogunbadejo | Vp, Workforce Dev | 40 | $153,143 |
| Steven Fernandez | Vp of Operations | 40 | $147,351 |
| Tamara Crayton | Controller | 40 | $143,383 |
| Ben Passer | President (thru 07/24) | 1 | — |
| Collette Brown-rodriguez | Director (as of 07/24) | 1 | — |
| Hina Baloch | Director (thru 03/24) | 1 | — |
| Juliana Pino | Director (as of 05/24) | 1 | — |
| Melicia Charles | Chair | 1 | — |
| Nolan Highbaugh | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Pete Upton | Director | 1 | — |
| Phyllis Currie | Vice Chair (as of 07/24) | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Cross the Divide | It Consulting Services | $1,070,199 |
| Imagine Energy LLC | Solar Installation | $548,703 |
| Cumulus Vision LLC | Consulting Services | $262,598 |
| Anessa Fike | Recruiting/consulting | $203,669 |
| Self-help Enterprises | Consulting Services | $149,037 |
Grants received · $40.0M total
115 grants to Grid Alternatives totaling $40.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Environment | 2024 | $2,058,350 |
| Rf Catalytic Capital Inc | To support workforce development | 2024 | $1,700,000 |
| Tides Foundation | Sustainable environment | 2024 | $270,000 |
| The Community Foundation For Northeast Florida Inc | To support the solar corps fellows 2024-25 cohort | 2024 | $150,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $106,268 |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support education and outreach to build a clean energy future. | 2024 | $70,000 |
| Tipping Point Community | Discretionary issue area | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Colorado Gives Foundation | General purpose | 2024 | $9,029 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $8,750 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | 2023 | $15,000,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $3,054,916 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Environment | 2023 | $2,135,750 |
| Boston Foundation Inc | Operating support/annual fund | 2023 | $375,000 |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support education and outreach to build a clean energy future. | 2023 | $200,000 |
| Tides Foundation | Sustainable environment | 2023 | $150,000 |
Grants made · $4.7M in FY2024
27 grants totaling $4.7M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Grid Alternatives →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Toiyabe Indian Health Project Inc | Solar project | $250,000 |
| Pine Point Microgrid | Solar project | $250,000 |
| Dry Creek Rancheria | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Guidiville Rancheria of California | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Radio | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Miccosukee Corporation | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe | Solar project | $200,000 |
| San Ildefonso Services LLC | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Shoshone Paiute Tribes | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Sovereign Energy | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Three Affiliated Tribes | Solar project | $200,000 |
| Bad River Tribe | Solar project | $200,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Grid Alternatives a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Grid Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 26-0043353, based in Oakland, California. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Grid Alternatives's EIN?
- Grid Alternatives's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 26-0043353.
- How much revenue does Grid Alternatives report?
- Grid Alternatives reported $46,882,198 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Grid Alternatives's spending goes to programs?
- Grid Alternatives spends about 72% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Grid Alternatives have?
- CharityIndex grades Grid Alternatives A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Grid Alternatives's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Grid Alternatives's latest Form 990 is $247,045, paid to Timothy Sears (Chief Operating Officer).
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Explore more
Data for Grid Alternatives (EIN 26-0043353) 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.