The Rahus Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROMOTE RESOURCE EFFICIENCY THROUGH EDUCATION, WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON SOLAR ENERGY. IMPLEMENTATION IS DONE THROUGHOUT SOLAR SCHOOLHOUSE PROGRAM AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $75,595
- Spending
- $62,272
- Reserves
- 18.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 56%
- Highest pay
- $30,000, exec. dir/ pres
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $49,824 spent. SOLAR SCHOOLHOUSE PROGRAM: INCLUDES TRAINING TEACHERS, CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS,.DEVELOPING AND PROVIDING SOLAR ENERGY EDUCATION MATERIALS (BOOKS, DVDS, SOLAR CELL SETS). WWW.SOLARSCHOOLHOUSE.ORG Solar Projects in other Communities, with Community Education Projects such as Sebastopol Carbon Conversations, raising awareness and improving community resilience.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 July 1998.
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.