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Climate Policy Initiative Inc

EIN 26-4129153 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO HELP GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH WHILE ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE. OUR VISION IS TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT, AND INCLUSIVE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

Income
$22.5 million
Spending
$20.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 44%
Employees
55
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$409,410, gmd & ed, climate finance

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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, 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 (2)
  1. $15.7 million spent. CLIMATE FINANCE - KNOWN FOR TRACKING SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT TRENDS, IDENTIFYING INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS, AND SUPPORTING THE SOLUTIONS THAT CAN DRIVE A TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON, CLIMATE RESILIENT ECONOMY. CPI CONDUCTS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE MAPPING OF CLIMATE FINANCE FLOWS AVAILABLE AND CONVENES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS THOUGH THE GLOBAL INNOVATION LAB FOR CLIMATE FINANCE. CPI ALSO WORKS WITH GOVERNMENTS, COMPANIES, INVESTORS, AND FOUNDATIONS AROUND THE WORLD TO ASSESS, TEST, AND REPLICATE THEIR POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND INVESTMENTS. THE WORK ENSURES THAT RESOURCES ARE SPENT AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. 64 CLIENTS WERE SERVED IN 2024.
  2. $3.1 million spent. BRAZIL POLICY CENTER - COMBINES RIGOROUS ECONOMIC, INSTITUTIONAL, AND LEGAL ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY AREAS FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC POLICIES AND PROVIDES CONCRETE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO RECONCILE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. CPI WORKS CLOSELY WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY TO CHART PATHS FOR IMPROVEMENT. CPI'S BRAZIL POLICY CENTER FOCUSES ON STRATEGIC AREAS, INCLUDING CLIMATE LAW AND GOVERNANCE, CONSERVATION, ENERGY, FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND IS BASED OUT THE PONTIFICAL CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO (PUC-RIO). 11 CLIENTS WERE SERVED IN 2024.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.