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Efficiency Forward Inc

EIN 04-3323169 · Medford, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EFFICIENCY FORWARD, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT THAT ADMINISTERS AND RUNS THE DLC.THE DESIGNLIGHTS CONSORTIUM (DLC) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO ACHIEVE ENERGY OPTIMIZATION BY ENABLING CONTROLLABILITY WITH A FOCUS ON QUALITY, PEOPLE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.AS A NON-PROFIT, THE DLC IS COMMITED TO IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR COMMERCIAL LIGHTING THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA, AND TO MAKING A POSITIVE CLIMATE IMPACT WORLDWIDE. IT'S OUR GOAL TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED, IMPARTIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE INDUSTRY'S HIGHEST PERFORMING LIGHTING PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS TO BOOST CONSUMER TRUST AND ADOPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT SAVE THE MOST ENERGY.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
29
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$265,772, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $4.0 million spent. THE DESIGNLIGHTS CONSORTIUM (DLC) SOLID-STATE LIGHTING QUALIFIED PRODUCT LIST (QPL) - THE DLC'S SOLID-STATE LIGHTING QPL IS THE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST VERIFIED LIST OF HIGH PERFORMING LED LIGHTINGPRODUCTS. THE LIST PROMOTES ENERGY EFFICIENCY BY DISTINGUISHING QUALITY, HIGH-PERFORMANCE LED PRODUCTS. LUNA WAS ADDED IN 2022 TO SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE LIGHT AT NIGHT PRODUCT QUALIFICATIONS.
  2. $790,106 spent. DLC NETWORKED LIGHTING CONTROLS (NLC) PROGRAM - THE DLC'S NLC PROGRAM IS A SUITE OF TOOLS AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADMINISTRATORS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ENABLE THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF NLC WITH THE EFFECT OF SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING ENERGY USE IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
  3. $568,786 spent. DLC MEMBERS ARE STATE REGIONAL, AND UTILITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. MEMBERS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DLC. OUR MEMBERS PROVIDE EXPERTISE AND INSIGHT INTO POLICY AND SPECIFICATION DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES AND ON TOPICS RELATED TO QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND LIGHTING MARKET TRANSFORMATION. IN RETURN, DLC MEMBERS USE DLC RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THEIR EFFICIENCY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, MEET THEIR ENERGY SAVINGS GOALS, AND PROVIDE PRODUCT QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.
  4. $738,641 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE DLC ANNUAL CONTROLS SUMMIT, DLC HORTICULTURAL LIGHTING PROGRAM, DLC API, AND DLC TRAINING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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