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Passive House Institute US Inc

EIN 30-0211695 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR VISION IS TO MAKE HIGH-PERFORMANCE PASSIVE BUILDING COMMONPLACE. OUR MISSION IS TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIFIC STANDARDS, PRACTICES AND CERTIFICATIONS FOR BUILDINGS, PROFESSIONALS AND PRODUCTS TO CREATE STRUCTURES THAT ARE DURABLE, RESILIENT, AND ENERGY EFFICIENT.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
20
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$144,666, executive director

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 92% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (3)
  1. $1.5 million spent. PROJECT CERTIFICATION: PHIUS PROVIDES THE LEADING PASSIVE BUILDING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN NORTH AMERICA FOR ANY TYPE OF BUILDING,LARGE OR SMALL. THIS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM PROVIDES QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PASSIVE BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. IT ENTAILS A THOROUGH REVIEW OF BUILDING DETAILS, PLANNED AND INSTALLED SYSTEMS AND USES BUILDING ENERGY MODELING FOR PREDICTIVE PERFORMANCE.
  2. $998,183 spent. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION: EDUCATION IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO AT PHIUS. PHIUS PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND CREDENTIALING TO INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING FROM ITS CONCEPTION THROUGH FINAL CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONIN. WE EDUCATE THE DESIGN AND BUILD COMMUNITY ON THE PHIUS PASSIVE BUILDING STANDARD. PHIUS TRAINING EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF DESIGN AND MATERIALS, WHILE OPTIMIZING FOR COMFORT AND ENERGY USAGE BASED ON LOCAL CLIMATE.
  3. $655,057 spent. ANNUAL CONFERENCE: PHIUSCON (FORMERLY NORTH AMERICAN PASSIVE HOUSE CONFERENCE) IS PHIUS FLAGSHIP ANNUAL EVENT. IT ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF PASSIVE BUILDING ENTHUSIASTS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD. THE FOUR-DAY CONFERENCE INCLUDES PRESENTATIONS FROM THE TOP MINDS IN THE INDUSTRY AND IS A CATALYST FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF PASSIVE BUILDING. PHIUSCONS LOACTION MOVES EACH YEAR.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2023 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2023.

    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 April 2024.

    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.