Vote Solar
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Vote Solar fights for a 100% clean energy transition that puts the interests, health and well-being of people at its center.
- Income
- $9.5 million
- Spending
- $9.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 13.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $309,262, executive dir.
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 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $4.6 million spent. Other Solar Advocacy: Solar markets are complicated, and only as strong as the weakest link. Vote Solar takes on issues such as interconnection standards, financing solutions, consumer protection measures, zoning, tax policy, research and development, transmission, new regulatory models, and others not otherwise listed.
- $1.3 million spent. Energy Affordability and Community Solar: Our Energy Affordability work seeks to ensure that as we transition to a renewable energy economy, all people across the U.S. have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from this energy revolution. The Community Solar program works to establish the policies and programs necessary to allow renters and millions of other homes, schools and businesses who do not have access to traditional solar on their roofs to be able choose renewable energy.
- $1.3 million spent. Rooftop Solar and Grid Modernization Vote Solar works to keep the way clear for Americans to produce their own solar power by ensuring customer access to net metering, helping regulators properly value distributed solar power, opposing unjustified rate fees, etc. Vote Solar also works to solve the challenges posed by high penetrations of variable renewables on the grid.
- $380,870 spent. Utility Solar: Vote Solar advocates for policies that encourage utilities to increase the amount of renewable energy they procure and supply to their customers.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.