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Soulardarity

EIN 47-2733535 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Soulardarity is working to install solar-powered streetlights, save money on energy bills, and work together with Highland Park, MI and neighboring communities to build a just and equitable energy system for all. Soulardarity endeavors to achieve this goal through education, organizing, and people-powered clean energy.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
7
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$69,750, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 140% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $553,547 spent. Movement Building. State-Level Energy Democracy- a series of campaigns and coalition work to achieve affordability, health, and community-owned clean energy aimed at DTE, the MI Public Service Commission, and the legislature. Soulardarity is the only community-based organization with a strong legal presence at the MPSC fighting and building toward goals of racial and economic justice. We have leveraged legal intervention with public campaign work to win material victories to rate payers of SE Michigan including stopping regressive rate hikes, getting concessions from DTE to build low-income benefitting solar projects, and getting public health considered in energy decisions.
  2. $553,547 spent. Asset Development: Highland Park Campaign Team-a campaign to make Highland Park, MI a global model of sustainability and self-determination, targeted at the City of Highland Park, organized around the Blueprint for Energy Democracy, the product of seven years of community organizing, research, and democratic practice and guide for our multi-issue work. Grow Solar Highland Park-Detroit-a public education and bulk purchasing program that makes going solar easier and more affordable. Creates access to energy-related products and services for Low-to-Moderate-Income ratepayers and members in support of a just transition to clean energy. Eligibility extends to property owners throughout the Detroit metro area and Wayne County. Once per year we offer the MREA sponsored RiseUP Training course established in 2020 to support workforce development efforts and expand employment access in advanced energy by providing solar training scholarships and facilitation paid solar internships. Graduates of the RiseUP Training Program provide students with free, hands-on solar training that can take them from "square one" all the way to their NABCP PV Associate Exam. We are currently working with Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Co-op to implement a home solar bulk purchase program and weatherization/home repair program as case studies of community wealth building through clean energy. Under this program we are preparing to launch a Loan Loss Reserve program - a credit enhancement approach commonly used by state and local governments to provide partial risk coverage to lenders-meaning that the reserve will cover a pre-specified amount of loan losses for those looking to weatherize, electrify, and participate in the bulk purchase or solarize their homes.
  3. There are only two program areas to report on

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2015 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2015.

    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 October 2015.

    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.

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.