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Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc

EIN 35-2316710 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
6
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$286,607, 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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 97% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs.

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

    22 of 22 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. $626,325 spent. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS & EVALUATION: AS CALLED FOR IN THE ORIGINAL RGGI MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, THE PARTICIPATING STATES CONDUCTED A PROGRAM REVIEW OF THE CO2 BUDGET TRADING PROGRAMS. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN AN UPDATED MODEL RULE (RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 7, 2013) THAT WILL GUIDE EACH STATE AS IT FOLLOWS ITS OWN STATUTORY AND/OR REGULATORY PROCEDURES TO PROPOSE UPDATES TO ITS CO2 BUDGET TRADING PROGRAM. A RIGOROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF THE REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE, SUPPORTED BY AN EXTENSIVE REGIONAL STAKEHOLDER PROCESS THAT ENGAGED THE REGULATED COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFITS, CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY ADVOCATES, AND OTHER INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS. EXPENSES INCLUDE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT PROGRAM REVIEW AND EVALUATION.
  2. $356,818 spent. EMISSIONS ALLOWANCE TRACKING SYSTEM: MAINTAINED A DATABASE, USERS GUIDE, AND PUBLIC REPORTING CAPABILITY TO TRACK EMISSIONS AND ALLOWANCE TRANSFERS. THIS SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.RGGI.ORG
  3. $310,000 spent. AUCTIONS: PROVIDED TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO STATES IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION OF AUCTION PLATFORMS FOR ALLOWANCES TO EMIT CARBON DIOXIDE. THIS RESULTED IN PUBLICATION OF AUCTION NOTICES AND MATERIALS.
  4. $1.2 million spent. MARKET MONITORING ($290,580): DEVELOPED TECHNIQUES TO MONITOR MARKET ACTIVITY WHICH RESULTED IN QUARTERLY REPORTS OF MARKET ACTIVITY.OTHER DIRECT EXPENSE INCLUDING PERSONNEL AND OTPS ($885,141).

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 2025.

    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 January 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 October 21, 2026.

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