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Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology for the

EIN 26-1535453 · Eugene, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF CREATE IS TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING IN POOR RURAL VILLAGES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO RESPOND TO THE INCREASINGLY DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THEIR LIVES, LIVELIHOODS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$481,404
Spending
$374,618
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$46,132, co-exec dire

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $301,565 spent. CREATE COLLABORATES WITH WOMEN IN RURAL SENEGAL TO HELP THEM BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY COPE WITH WATER, FOOD, AND FUEL SHORTAGES RESULTING FROM THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR PROJECTS HELP WOMEN BUILD ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH ACCESS TO ABUNDANT AND AFFORDABLE CLEAN WATER USING RENEWABLE SOLAR ENERGY AND TRAINING IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, POULTRY RAISING, COMMUNITY SAVINGS AND LENDING STRATEGIES, AND OTHER INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES. OVER THE PAST 14 YEARS, CREATE HAS PARTNERED WITH 23 COMMUNITIES IN THE FATICK, KAOLACK, AND LOUGA REGIONS OF RURAL SENEGAL TO RESPOND TO FELT NEEDS, FOSTER ECONOMIC RESILIENCY, INCREASE FOOD SECURITY, AND BUILD CAPACITY WHILE HELPING MEN AND WOMEN ON THE PATH TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. OUR PROJECTS ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS IN OUR PARTNER VILLAGES BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO ABUNDANT AND AFFORDABLE WATER THROUGH SOLAR POWER, SO THAT COOPERATIVE MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO GROW A WIDE VARIETY OF NUTRITIOUS VEGETABLES YEAR-ROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN DESERT-LIKE CONDITIONS. LOCAL PRODUCTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES IMPROVES HEALTH AND NUTRITION IN THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES NEW AND EXPANDED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. COOPERATIVE MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH THE SALE OF VEGETABLES IN LOCAL MARKETS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THIS TRAINING, CREATE FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO HELP COOPERATIVE MEMBERS DEVELOP SKILLS IN THE CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING OF POULTRY. AS A RESULT, WOMEN ARE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY THEIR FAMILIES' DIETS AND INCREASE THEIR INCOMES. CREATE FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO HELP COOPERATIVE MEMBERS BEGIN TO SAVE PROFITS FROM THEIR COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY GARDENS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VOLUNTARY SAVINGS AND LENDING ASSOCIATIONS (VSLAS). ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO USE THESE GROUPS TO SAVE A PORTION OF THE PROFITS THEY EARN BOTH FROM PARTICIPATING IN CREATE'S COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY GARDEN AND POULTRY PROJECTS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER ENTERPRISE THEY START WITH THE TRAINING FROM CREATE. THEY ALSO LEARN TO REINVEST THOSE SAVINGS INTO OTHER INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES TO PRODUCE COMMUNITY-BASED, COOPERATIVE CHANGE. OUR FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO TEACH WOMEN TO CONSTRUCT AND USE FUEL-EFFICIENT CLAY-SAND COOKSTOVES MADE FROM FREE, LOCAL MATERIALS. THESE COOKSTOVES REDUCE FIREWOOD CONSUMPTION BY UP TO 70 PERCENT. CREATE FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO WORK WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO RESTORE LOST FOREST RESOURCES THROUGH ANNUAL TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGNS. OUR PROJECT PARTICIPANTS PLANT THOUSANDS OF TREE SEEDLINGS EACH YEAR FOR FOOD PRODUCTION, LIVING FENCES, AND LOCAL REFORESTATION. WOMEN AND GIRLS NO LONGER NEED TO WALK LONG DISTANCES TO COLLECT FIREWOOD FOR COOKING, THEREBY FREEING TIME, REDUCING LABOR, AND INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD THAT GIRLS WILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL. CREATE CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS IMPACT IN RURAL SENEGAL, TRAINING DOZENS OF COMMUNITIES EACH YEAR IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FUEL-EFFICIENT COOKSTOVES AND EXTENDING ITS FULLY INTEGRATED PROGRAM OF WATER, FOOD PRODUCTION, ENERGY CONSERVATION AND INCOME GENERATION TO TWO NEW COMMUNITIES. IN 2024, WE CONTINUED OUR PARTICIPATORY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES IN ALL OF OUR PARTNER COMMUNITIES INCLUDING CONTINUED TRAINING IN THE ACTIVE COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS PERIODIC MONITORING OF OUR GRADUATED COMMUNITIES WITH THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES. ACTIVE PARTNER COMMUNITIES PRODUCED MORE THAN 11 TONS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN TOTAL. THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH A VARIETY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES RESULTED IN MORE THAN 98% OF THE WOMEN IN THE AGE RANGE OF 15-49 ACHIEVING MINIMUM DIETARY DIVERSITY, AND INDICATOR THAT MEASURES NUTRITIONAL DIVERSITY. EACH WOMAN PARTICIPANT OF OUR PROGRAM SAVED 26 EVERY MONTH IN THEIR VOLUNTARY SAVINGS AND LENDING ASSOCIATIONS (VSLAS). CREATE COLLABORATES WITH WOMEN IN RURAL SENEGAL TO HELP THEM BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY COPE WITH WATER, FOOD, AND FUEL SHORTAGES RESULTING FROM THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR PROJECTS HELP WOMEN BUILD ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH ACCESS TO ABUNDANT AND AFFORDABLE CLEAN WATER USING RENEWABLE SOLAR ENERGY AND TRAINING IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, POULTRY RAISING, COMMUNITY SAVINGS AND LENDING STRATEGIES, AND OTHER INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES. OVER THE PAST 14 YEARS, CREATE HAS PARTNERED WITH 23 COMMUNITIES IN THE FATICK, KAOLACK, AND LOUGA REGIONS OF RURAL SENEGAL TO RESPOND TO FELT NEEDS, FOSTER ECONOMIC RESILIENCY, INCREASE FOOD SECURITY, AND BUILD CAPACITY WHILE HELPING MEN AND WOMEN ON THE PATH TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. OUR PROJECTS ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS IN OUR PARTNER VILLAGES BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO ABUNDANT AND AFFORDABLE WATER THROUGH SOLAR POWER, SO THAT COOPERATIVE MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO GROW A WIDE VARIETY OF NUTRITIOUS VEGETABLES YEAR-ROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN DESERT-LIKE CONDITIONS. LOCAL PRODUCTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES IMPROVES HEALTH AND NUTRITION IN THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDES NEW AND EXPANDED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. COOPERATIVE MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH THE SALE OF VEGETABLES IN LOCAL MARKETS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THIS TRAINING, CREATE FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO HELP COOPERATIVE MEMBERS DEVELOP SKILLS IN THE CARE, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING OF POULTRY. AS A RESULT, WOMEN ARE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY THEIR FAMILIES' DIETS AND INCREASE THEIR INCOMES. CREATE FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO HELP COOPERATIVE MEMBERS BEGIN TO SAVE PROFITS FROM THEIR COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY GARDENS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VOLUNTARY SAVINGS AND LENDING ASSOCIATIONS (VSLAS). ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO USE THESE GROUPS TO SAVE A PORTION OF THE PROFITS THEY EARN BOTH FROM PARTICIPATING IN CREATE'S COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY GARDEN AND POULTRY PROJECTS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER ENTERPRISE THEY START WITH THE TRAINING FROM CREATE. THEY ALSO LEARN TO REINVEST THOSE SAVINGS INTO OTHER INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES TO PRODUCE COMMUNITY-BASED, COOPERATIVE CHANGE. OUR FIELD TECHNICIANS ALSO TEACH WOMEN TO CONSTRUCT AN

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 November 6, 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 December 2008.

    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 November 4, 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.