Black Bear Solar Institute Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 38% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Black Bear Solar Institute is founded to research and demonstrate evolving concepts and technologies through a living laboratory of resilient communities which embody a healthy balance of human, animal, environmental and economic needs.
- Income
- $180,072
- Spending
- $482,999
- Spent on programs
- 38%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 17
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 168% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1538% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
- $612 spent. Environmental Education Center including Solar, Electric Transportation and Wildlife segments, each appealing to a different segment of the public to attract and capture interest in overall environmental effects of energy use and choices. Extension of Environmental Education outreach through eCO-COve, a comprehensive demonstration project for energy, air, and water quality. Covid restricted in-person activities so emphasis was turned to online education. 30,000+ reached through online activities
- $49,549 spent. Energy Efficient Building and Solar - Research materials for public education and demonstration of energy efficient building retrofits including insulation, lighting, heating and refrigeration. Consulting with the National Park Service on solar power for Cades Cove Visitor Center. Demonstration solar installations at Earthshine Nature Programs, Tennessee 4H Camp and STEM Education, and Tanasi Girl Scouts Camp. Approximately 7,000 people reached through Educational Center displays and 30,000+ reached through online activities.
- $132,722 spent. Electric Vehicle - Operate Battery Electric Vehicle for demonstration and public ride and drive events including National Drive Electric Week. Demonstrate use of public EV charging installations. Granting of Electric Vehicle Truck to 501c3 Earthshine Nature Programs to tow their mobile environmental education trailer.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 2011.
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 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.