Rocky Mountain Institute
501(c)(3) Donations tax-deductible
84% goes to programs $6 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Rocky Mountain Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Boulder, Colorado, registered in 1982, with $164,733,491 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 84% of spending to programs.
2490 Junction Pl Ste 200, Boulder, CO, 80301 EIN 74-2244146 Since 1982
Revenue (FY2023)
$164.7M
▲ 18.2% vs prior year
Expenses (FY2023)
$160.0M
Net assets
$103.8M
Employees
682
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating84% to programs · $6 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 Rocky Mountain Institute: 84% to programs · $6 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating8 mo reserves · +3% 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 Rocky Mountain Institute: 8 mo reserves · +3% 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 Rocky Mountain Institute: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 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 Rocky Mountain Institute: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
We work with businesses, policymakers, and communities to scale energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions, reduce energy waste, and boost access to affordable clean energy.
What they do
Scaling solutions around the world: - rmi china accelerates decarbonization of the country's biggest carbon-producing sectors, offering in-depth, independent technical expertise and solution-based implementation strategies to help china reach clean energy and emissions reduction targets. - the global south program works on the ground to accelerate the energy transition, helping empower, connect, and elevate voices in africa, southeast asia, the caribbean, and beyond to develop the labor and skills needed to be part and benefit from the energy transition. - rmi india supports the transformation of india's economy for a clean, thriving, and inclusive energy future, aligned with the country's bold ambition to achieve a net-zero economy by 2070. - the us program raises the ambition and impact of us federal and state climate policy, helping create tangible examples to show that measures to boost renewable energy and reduce energy waste are not only possible but are economically and socially advantageous. - urban transformation helps cities implement and act on their climate plans to reduce emissions, enhance livability and increase resilience for all. - energy transition "super team" brings together experts from across the institute to develop innovative and inclusive financial approaches to the transition to clean energy. these approaches can mobilize capital and align stakeholders for a faster energy transition.
Applying powerful market catalysts: - the climate finance access network helps developing countries secure and structure finance for climate investments, with a focus on small island developing states (sids) and least developed countries (ldcs) in africa, the pacific islands, and the caribbean. - climate intelligence makes emissions visible - improving access to timely, trustworthy data that can help drive climate-aligned decisions and transactions globally. - climate-aligned finance partners with the finance community to build the infrastructure and solutions necessary to align the global finance sector's actions with equitable, concrete carbon reduction goals. we support emerging economies and developing countries to break down roadblocks to climate finance, and provide analysis to maximize us investments in the energy transition. - the energy transition academy is a leadership, capacity, and workforce development platform for energy leaders around the world. it offers tools and services to advance projects, programs, and policies that will empower communities across the global south to boost their resilience to climate hazards and seize clean energy opportunities. - strategy team (formerly portfolio impact accelerator and strategic analysis and engagement) maximizes rmi's impact by providing portfolio-level strategic insights and intelligence, both internally and externally, supporting strategic engagement with critical stakeholders, driving our organizational strategy planning process, and supporting strategy council decision making. - third derivative guides and supports the climate tech entrepreneurs who are developing and innovating cutting-edge clean tech solutions, connecting them with a vast and diverse network of experts, corporate partners, and investors to help these startups go to market faster and advance climate tech innovation.
Other rmi initiatives - influence team: as an audience-first, multi-channel storytelling force, rmi strategically communicates to its stakeholders, the media, and key decision-makers to share our technical expertise and inspire them to act on solutions. through partnerships, strategic communications, and multi-channel storytelling we influence global leaders to adopt and spread the message of the accelerating energy transition. - zetro energy is a unique software tool that helps scale and disseminate zero- carbon building practices, technologies, business models, and finance requirements.
Contact & location
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $18.9M (FY2013) to $164.7M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $45.7MNet assets $103.8M
Operating margin
2.9%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$149.5M
Total liabilities
$45.7M
Net assets
$103.8M
Salaries & benefits
$106.7M
67% of expenses
Board members
14
12 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $164,733,491▲18.2% | $160,014,972▲13.4% | $103,772,584▲7.7% | $149,471,347▲6.2% | 990 |
| 2022 | $139,396,668▲19.2% | $141,157,018▲31.7% | $96,355,422▼1.4% | $140,735,486▲20.9% | 990 |
| 2021 | $116,983,377▲1.6% | $107,203,385▲61.4% | $97,688,120▲6.1% | $116,417,411▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2020 | $115,107,316▲86.1% | $66,413,297▲26.2% | $92,073,377▲108% | $107,274,324▲80.2% | 990 |
| 2019 | $61,864,266▲15.6% | $52,619,733▲17.1% | $44,186,229▲25.4% | $59,543,794▲25.7% | 990 |
| 2018 | $53,502,081▲26.4% | $44,945,015▲12.8% | $35,243,204▲31.6% | $47,374,815▲23.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $42,315,984▲16.3% | $39,847,054▲19.3% | $26,773,079▲9.9% | $38,235,339▲11.8% | 990 |
| 2016 | $36,389,994▲23.5% | $33,402,821▲14.0% | $24,356,647▲3.8% | $34,190,347▲3.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $29,477,100▲14.2% | $29,312,920▲25.0% | $23,468,704▼4.3% | $32,947,222▼2.0% | 990 |
| 2014 | $25,819,828▲37.0% | $23,454,695▲53.1% | $24,517,984▲49.6% | $33,621,689▲77.8% | 990 |
| 2013 | $18,851,788 | $15,321,550▲22.1% | $16,385,639▲39.3% | $18,910,188▲40.3% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $12,550,818▲6.8% | $11,761,394▲55.6% | $13,475,076▲31.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $11,755,862▲4.6% | $7,559,517▼19.1% | $10,280,047▼10.8% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $11,243,930 | $9,341,745 | $11,523,704 | 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 (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Jon Creyts — $549,360 (0.34% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Creyts | Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $549,360 |
| Martha C Pickett | General Counsel & Co-chair | 40 | $427,426 |
| Rushad Nanvatty | Managing Director | 40 | $386,250 |
| Heather Mccreery | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $375,677 |
| Lena Hansen | Chief Strategy Officer | 40 | $374,601 |
| Leia Guccione | Managing Director | 40 | $373,414 |
| Bryan Fisher | Managing Director | 40 | $370,586 |
| Josh Henretig | Managing Director | 40 | $368,826 |
| Kylie Rogers | Chief People Officer | 40 | $366,454 |
| Jennifer Stokes | Chief Development Officer | 40 | $366,224 |
| Jules Kortenhorst | Ceo (end 1/2023) | 40 | $282,318 |
| Heidi Johnson | Assistant Secretary | 40 | $91,691 |
| Amory Bloch Lovins | Trustee / Contractor | 1 | $85,149 |
| Anjali Bansal | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Audrey Zibelman | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Bryan J Hannegan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Catherine Coleman Flowers | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dennis V Mcginn | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dr Wei Ding | Trustee (end 12/23) | 1 | — |
| Edward White | Board Chair (end 12/23) | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Weatherproofing Technologies Inc | Architect and Restoration | $1,225,114 |
| Topbloc LLC | Software Consulting | $852,731 |
| Managed Solution | Information Technology | $745,766 |
| Neoteric Energy and Climate LLC | Consulting | $435,840 |
| California Clean Energy Fund | Program Advisory Services | $382,300 |
Grants received · $260.7M total
285 grants to Rocky Mountain Institute totaling $260.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $12,250,000 |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | Environmental protection | 2024 | $7,640,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Medical / public services | 2024 | $5,861,000 |
| Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust | Grants to protect the environment | 2024 | $3,445,000 |
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation | Policy development | 2024 | $2,105,050 |
| Climateworks Foundation | 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) | 2024 | $1,973,344 |
| Windward Fund | Environmental programs | 2024 | $1,960,000 |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support education and outreach to build a clean energy future. to promote education and analysis to advance energy optimization. to promote education and analysis on the benefits of clean industry. to promote education and analysis to advance clean, affordable energy that protects public health. | 2024 | $1,609,666 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $1,385,950 |
| Fiduciary Charitable Foundation | Donations | 2024 | $1,030,000 |
| Rural India Supporting Tr | Environmental improvements | 2024 | $725,720 |
| New Venture Fund | Environmental programs | 2024 | $700,000 |
| Breakthrough Energy Foundation | Policy implementation | 2024 | $650,000 |
| Multiplier | Transmission solutions for a clean energy future | 2024 | $494,000 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Sciences | 2024 | $450,200 |
Grants made · $9.8M in FY2023
27 grants totaling $9.8M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Rocky Mountain Institute →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Media Inc | Related entity grant | $3,937,867 |
| Mission Possible Partnership USA Inc | Support former related entity | $2,203,750 |
| Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc | Support program | $750,000 |
| Adl Ventures LLC | Support program | $602,207 |
| Action For Boston Community Development | Support program | $400,000 |
| Spark Northwest | Support program | $400,000 |
| Association For Energy Affordability Inc | Support program | $168,563 |
| Trustees of Columbia University | Support program | $150,000 |
| David Baker Architects | Support program | $119,275 |
| We Mean Business Coalition Inc | Support program | $100,000 |
| American Lung Association | Support program | $100,000 |
| United Nations Foundation Inc | Support program | $100,000 |
| United States Public Interest Research Group Education Fund | Support program | $100,000 |
| Tk Fabricate LLC | Support program | $93,512 |
| Community Initiatives | Support program | $75,000 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rocky Mountain Institute a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Rocky Mountain Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 74-2244146, based in Boulder, Colorado. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Rocky Mountain Institute's EIN?
- Rocky Mountain Institute's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 74-2244146.
- How much revenue does Rocky Mountain Institute report?
- Rocky Mountain Institute reported $164,733,491 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Rocky Mountain Institute's spending goes to programs?
- Rocky Mountain Institute spends about 84% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Rocky Mountain Institute have?
- CharityIndex grades Rocky Mountain Institute A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Rocky Mountain Institute's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Rocky Mountain Institute's latest Form 990 is $549,360, paid to Jon Creyts (Chief Executive Officer).
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Data for Rocky Mountain Institute (EIN 74-2244146) 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.