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Metropolitan Energy Center Inc

EIN 43-1297891 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Metropolitan Energy Center's mission to empower the heartland to achieve sustainable energy use and cleaner air by providing resources, outreach and training available to all who aspire to make energy efficiency and alternative fuels commonplace.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 91%
Employees
25
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$79,514, 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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

    11 of 11 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Sustainable Transportation: Through our projects and programmatic activities, in 2024 alone we helped local government and private fleets to directly eliminate approximately 12,000 tons of greenhouse gases by replacing approximately 8,000,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel with clean fuels, electricity, and reduced vehicle usage. These benefits also directly increase human health in affected areas. Our activities include providing decision-support resources to organizational management, as well as direct technical and funding assistance. We also engage directly with the general public through information campaigns and with local and state policymakers as subject matter experts. Long-term programmatic areas of engagement include Kansas City Regional Clean Cities and Central Kansas Clean Cities coalitions, both of which operate locally, and access and contribute to a nationwide network of peers; Mid-America Green Fleets, providing fleet technical assistance and coaching; Electrify Heartland, overseeing electric vehicle projects and programming, including to the general public; and Biodiesel Outreach and Training, providing informational resources to fleets and fuel retailers and providing training to college students.
  2. $442,365 spent. Building Performance: Through our Building Performance projects and programmatic activities, Metropolitan Energy Center facilitates education, resource matchmaking and technical assistance to various constituencies, including municipal officials, residential homeowners and renters, commercial property managers and government agencies. The goal is to increase uptake of energy efficiency technologies and practices, increase compliance with municipal codes by property owners and managers, and help all of our constituencies to access available external funding sources. Our Energy Solutions Hub also provides healthy housing education and supports research related to understanding the impact of energy efficiency measures on human health. We reach homeowners, renters and the public generally through Project Living Proof, our demonstration home that tangibly illustrates sustainable building materials, xeriscaped lawns, and healthy homes education. It is also used for small business workforce development training in the energy and environment fields.
  3. $79,773 spent. Renewable Energy Program: The board authorized the development of a new Renewable Energy program. In 2024 we initiated a new service related to this program area. Our activities were limited to receiving crowdsourced donor funds for the purpose of disbursing to low-income-qualified homeowners participating in the Kansas City, Missouri, "Share the Sun" program, a sub-program of Solarize Kansas City. The funds were received as passthrough funds to support installation of solar photovoltaic systems for these homes. We participated in efforts to further develop this program for future years.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.