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Evergreen Climate Innovations

EIN 27-2378677 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EVERGREEN ADVANCES CLIMATE TECH IN THE GREATER MIDWEST.WE SUPPORT STARTUPS BRINGING IMPACTFUL CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES TO MARKET. WE MAKE SEED INVESTMENTS AND PROVIDE HANDS-ON SUPPORT TO ENTREPRENEURS. WE EXPAND ACCESS TO INNOVATION BY CULTIVATING AN ECOSYSTEM OF INVESTORS, CORPORATE PARTNERS, DONORS, AND COLLABORATORS.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
58.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
11
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$384,481, 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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 58.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 90% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. THE 501VC INVESTMENT PROGRAM IS THE MECHANISM THROUGH WHICH EVERGREEN PROVIDES CATALYTIC CAPITAL AND SUPPORT TO EARLY-STAGE ENTREPRENEURS. THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO THE INVESTMENT PROGRAM: FIND, FUND, AND GROW. "FIND" REPRESENTS THE EFFORT EVERGREEN UNDERTAKES TO IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT HIGH-POTENTIAL ENTREPRENEURS INTO ITS PROGRAMMING. "FUND" REFERS TO THE INVESTMENTS EVERGREEN MAKES IN THE PROMISING STARTUPS FOUNDED BY THESE ENTREPRENEURS. "GROW" DESCRIBES THE ONGOING ENGAGEMENT AND PROGRAMMING EVERGREEN PROVIDES STARTUPS AND ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE PART OF ITS PORTFOLIO. THIS SUPPORT ENCOMPASSES EDUCATIONAL CONTENT, MENTORING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, AND FUNDRAISING SUPPORT.
  2. $558,934 spent. WITH SUPPORT FROM FOUNDATION GRANTS, EVERGREEN LEADS A CLEAN ENERGY EMPLOYMENT TRENDS STUDY ENCOMPASSING A REGION COVERING 12 MIDWEST STATES. THE DATA IS USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE GROWTH AND CONTRIBUTION OF THIS SECTOR TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE TO POLICYMAKERS AND LEGISLATORS. THE CLEAN JOBS MIDWEST REPORT IS A COMPONENT OF A LARGER NATIONAL STUDY CONDUCTED BY A CONSORTIUM OF PARTNERS, ENCOMPASSING ALL 50-STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
  3. $212,285 spent. EVERGREEN RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION TO LAUNCH ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS. CORE IS THE STRUCTURED FUNDRAISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CATALYZE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT FROM INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS IN A SECTOR AND REGION WHERE RAISING CAPITAL IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL STARTUPS, EVERGREEN HELPS THESE COMPANIES SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE FUNDRAISING BY ASSESSING INVESTMENT READINESS, HELPING PREPARE FINANCIAL MODELS AND PRESENTATION MATERIALS, SUPPORTING OUTREACH TO FUNDERS, SUPPORTING DUE DILIGENCE REQUESTS FROM POTENTIAL INVESTORS, AND ADVISING ON DEAL TERM NEGOTIATION. THESE ARE TIME CONSUMING ACTIVITIES AND EVERGREEN'S ENGAGEMENT NOT ONLY ENSURES GREATER SUCCESS BUT ALSO FREES TIME FOR THE ENTREPRENEURS TO FOCUS ON THEIR CORE BUSINESSES.
  4. $96,309 spent. EVERGREEN RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENERGY PROGRAM FOR INNOVATION CLUSTERS(EPIC). THIS PROGRAM HELPS GROW THE MIDWEST ENERGY INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ECOSYSTEM. THE INITIATIVES ENABLES BOTH THE DELIVERY OF ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESOURCES, AS WELL AS A COMPREHENSIVE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM FOR ENERGY HARDWARE STARTUPS IN THE MIDWEST AND BEYOND.

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 March 2011.

    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.