Acterra Action for a Healthy Planet
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To bring people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 49%
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $217,422, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (5)
- $637,117 spent. Electrification of energy end-uses in homes and buildings is a major strategy for combating climate change. Beneficial electrification must meet three criteria: reduction of long-term costs; improvement of grid reliability or reduction in grid instability; and avoidance of negative environmental impacts. Switching from fossil energy sources-such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas-offers many tangible benefits: less pollution, improved human health, customer savings, and less atmospheric warming. The Organization's Beneficial Electrification program prioritizes and accelerates the adoption of all-electric appliances, buildings, and vehicles that operate on clean energy instead of fossil fuels. Beneficial Electrification program supports the general public, small businesses, industry, municipalities, counties, regional authorities, the state, utilities and NGOs toward meeting the climate goals of the entire region. The Organization plays a role in advocating for the move away from fossil fuel devices. The Organization develops and shares materials and strategies to encourage the wider adoption of fossil-free devices and technologies in both the commercial and residential sectors. Specifically, the Organization facilitates outreach to residents and professionals on the benefits of fossil-free devices in construction and educates residents on the benefits of fossil-free devices in homes.
- $517,124 spent. Sponsored Programs: The Bay Area Climate Adaptation Network (BayCAN) is a collaborative network of local government staff and partnering organizations working to help the Bay Area region to respond effectively and equitably to the impacts of climate change. Developed by local government, for local government and the communities they serve, BayCAN focuses on adaptation challenges in water supply, sea level rise, wastewater and stormwater management, wildfires, ecosystems, and public health. We collaborate with current initiatives in these sectors to maximize impact and build on existing knowledge. The Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation (ARCCA) is a network of leading regional collaboratives and allies from across California that work together to advance adaptation statewide and increase local capacity to build community resilience. Through ARCCA, adaptation practitioners connect with peers across the state to exchange knowledge, engage in targeted problem-solving, and implement joint campaigns, effectively breaking down silos across sectors and jurisdictions. Let Us Contribute Initiative (LUCI): The program is a movement-building program led by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals to expand economic opportunity and enhance public safety. The program develops ecologically focused cooperatives that are owned and operated by system-impacted people, fostering empowerment, sustainability, and community resilience.
- $421,204 spent. A key goal is to compel the wider public to recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and to increase people's willingness to take appropriate actions. The Organization's main tool for encouraging behavior change is education. The Organization Education Program includes the Public Lecture Series, which invites leading voices from academia, business, and policy to discuss global change issues; and the You(th) Be the Change climate-based education and leadership program.
- $399,624 spent. In the San Francisco Bay Area, food is one of the biggest contributors to the average person's carbon footprint, fueling climate change. The Organization's Healthy Plate, Healthy Planet Program works together with local Bay Area communities to promote two easy and impactful ways to reduce collective food print. The Organization educates on the benefits of adopting a more plant-forward lifestyle and reducing the amount of wasted food, with the goal for all to enjoy a healthier, well-fed life. The Organization develops and shares materials and strategies to encourage the wider adoption of plant-forward diets and the reduction of food waste. Specifically, the Organization facilitates outreach to residents and professionals on the climate and health benefits of reducing meat and dairy intake.
- $186,875 spent. The Organization's advocacy work is a more inclusive and community-centered climate action movement that creates systemic change toward sustainable and equitable practices and policies for the benefit of all. The Organization brings together individuals, communities and organizations to create a powerful collective voice that advocates for change focusing on actively involving communities that have been historically excluded or unheard. By implementing base building strategies in the programming ensures that these communities unique experiences, needs and challenges are central in the agenda and decision-making processes.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.