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Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

EIN 36-4352022 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MIDWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE (MEEA) IS A COLLABORATIVE NETWORK, PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY TO OPTIMIZE ENERGY GENERATION, REDUCE CONSUMPTION, CREATE JOBS AND DECREASE CARBON EMISSIONS IN ALL MIDWEST COMMUNITIES.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
28
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$215,331, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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

    23 of 23 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $2.0 million spent. CONDUCT RESEARCH, IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS, AND ADMINISTER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACROSS MIDWEST STATES, ACCELERATING MARKET ADOPTION OF COST-EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES THAT REDUCE ENERGY USE, LOWER COSTS, AND DECREASE EMISSIONS.
  2. $1.9 million spent. ADVANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES THROUGH RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ADVOCACY; PROMOTE INCREASED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT; AND TRACK LOCAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND FEDERAL POLICY DEVELOPMENTS TO INFORM AND ENGAGE MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS.
  3. $834,335 spent. CONVENE UTILITIES, BUSINESSES, POLICYMAKERS, AND ADVOCATES TO DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES, PILOT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, AND SHARE EXPERTISE THROUGH CONFERENCES, COMMITTEES, AND WORKING GROUPS THAT STRENGTHEN REGIONAL COLLABORATION AND ACCELERATE CLEAN ENERGY PROGRESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 2001.

    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 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.