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Center for Earth Energy and Democracy

EIN 45-2580349 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CENTER FOR EARTH, ENERGY & DEMOCRACY (CEED) WORKS TO ENSURE JUST AND EQUITABLE CLIMATE, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND RESEARCH. WE PROVIDE TOOLS AND INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND POLICY MAKERS IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE JUST CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
15
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$225,138, 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 539% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

    7 of 7 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. 1 - RESEARCH, POLICY, AND ADVOCACYCEED WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GRASSROOTS COMMUNITIES, POLICY MAKERS AND RESEARCHERS, COMBINING TECHNICAL RESEARCH WITH A PRIORITY FOR UNDERSTANDING POLICY IMPACTS ON COMMUNITIES. AS PUBLIC DIALOGUE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE BECOMES MORE AND MORE "EXPERT DRIVEN," CEED IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SPACE FOR INCLUSIONARY AND INFORMED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SELF-GOVERNANCE. WE WORK TO HIGHLIGHT ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURES THAT SUPPORT LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY CONTROL. IN 2024, CEED CONDUCTED RESEARCH, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY BOTH IN THE MIDWEST AND NATIONALLY THROUGH THE EQUITABLE AND JUST NATIONAL CLIMATE PLATFORM (EJNCP). CEED PLAYS A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE EJNCP COALITION THROUGH CONVENING AND COORDINATING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COALITION IN AN ONGOING WAY. THE PRIMARY AREAS OF FOCUS IN 2024 WERE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JUSTICE40 (J40) INITIATIVE AND THE INVESTMENTS IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) AND BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (IIJA) AND REDUCING LOCAL POLLUTION FROM THE POWER SECTOR IN COMMUNITIES. 2 - POPULAR EDUCATIONCEED CONDUCTS POPULAR EDUCATION WITHIN COMMUNITIES TO BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO ENGAGE ON CRITICAL ENERGY, CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PLANNING THAT AFFECT THEIR HEALTH AND LIVELIHOODS. IN 2024, CEED DEVELOPED AND CONDUCTED POPULAR EDUCATION MATERIALS THAT POSITIONS COMMUNITIES TO SHARE STORIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ADVANCE POLICIES THAT BETTER THE LIVES OF CONSTITUENTS. WE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE OFFERINGS TO OUR MIDWEST CONSTITUENCIES WHILE EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIONAL PARTNERS THROUGH THE EJNCP. CEED'S CURRICULUM IS ORGANIZED BY SERIES, INCLUDING THE POLLUTION SERIES, ENERGY SERIES, CLIMATE SERIES, AND NATURE SERIES. EXPANDED OFFERINGS INCLUDED CURRICULUM ON JUSTICE 40 AND EDUCATION MATERIALS ON THE IRA IMPLEMENTATION. THESE RESOURCES SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN UNDERSTANDING THESE COMPLICATED FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND HOW TO UTILIZE AVAILABLE FUNDING. CEED WORKED WITH ARTISTS TO CREATE VISUAL RESOURCES SUCH AS GEOGRAPHICALLY CUSTOMIZED ZINES TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT FACETS OF THE IRA.

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 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 2012.

    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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