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Reliabilityfirst Corporation

EIN 14-1933339 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To serve the public good and support health and safety through preserving and enhancing the reliability, security and resilience of the grid.

Income
$28.2 million
Spending
$30.4 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
131
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$1.0 million, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $12.2 million spent. Reliability Assurance and Compliance Monitoring - The Reliability Assurance and Compliance Monitoring Program identified risks impacting entities, evaluated the effectiveness of entities' internal controls around specific Reliability Standards and Requirements, evaluated entities' capabilities in key management practice areas, tailored training centered on the needs of entities, and monitored compliance to the NERC Reliability Standards.
  2. $2.3 million spent. Reliability Assessment and Performance Analysis (RAPA) - The RAPA Program analyzed, assessed, and reported on the reliability and adequacy of the Bulk Electric System within the ReliabilityFirst footprint. Staff helped identify and assess risks across the footprint and its deliverables were a major contributor to the risk based efforts of the entire organization. This work included the performance of resource and transmission assessment studies; special analyses and investigations as warranted; and the collection and dissemination of data, lessons learned, and other information.
  3. $2.3 million spent. Enforcement - The Enforcement Program enforced compliance with Reliability Standards. Staff ensured that the selected disposition method for any noncompliance was consistent with the risk posed by the noncompliance, was adequately supported by the record, and promoted desired entity behaviors to enhance reliability.
  4. $1.7 million spent. Training and Education - The Training and Education Program focused on providing relevant training on risk identification, mitigation, and prevention to entities operating in the ReliabilityFirst footprint.
  5. $1.3 million spent. Situational Awareness - The Situational Awareness Program monitored conditions and emerging threats to the Bulk Electric System and performed event analysis for system disturbances and events by working with entities to identify and analyze the root causes of system events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 July 2014.

    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.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.