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Strategic Energy Innovations

EIN 68-0404081 · San Rafael, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEI IS COMMITTED TO ITS MISSION TO BUILD LEADERS THAT DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS. EACH PART OF SEI'S EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE PATHWAY IS CRUCIAL. SEI PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, AND BUSINESSES, PRIORITIZING MARGINALIZED AND UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES AND RESIDENTS, TO DEVELOP A LEADERSHIP PATHWAY FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO EARLY CAREER. OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS EDUCATE AND EMPOWER STUDENTS AND EMERGING PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$9.5 million
Spending
$10.8 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
195
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$323,187, 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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 60% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 14 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $3.5 million spent. SEI'S CLIMATE CORPS, A FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR THOSE SEEKING TO ENTER THE SUSTAINABILITY FIELD, SAW GROWTH ON ALL FRONTS DURING THE 2023-2024 PROGRAM YEAR. WE CONTINUED TO EXPAND OUR NATIONAL REACH BEYOND CALIFORNIA, PLACING FELLOWS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE SOUTHEAST, NEW YORK, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. 80 FELLOWS WORKED AT 60 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS.
  2. $2.1 million spent. CCEO: THE CLIMATE CORPS EDUCATION OUTSIDE (CCEO) PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP A DEEPER RESPECT FOR THE PLANET AND EMPOWERS THEM TO MAKE INFORMED, SUSTAINABLE CHOICES FOR THE FUTURE. THE PROGRAM ENGAGES OVER 11,000 BAY AREA STUDENTS ACROSS 31 PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, SPARKING CURIOSITY AND LEARNING THROUGH SCHOOL GARDENS. CCEO'S DEDICATED GARDEN EDUCATORS WORKED HARD TO FOSTER POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR STUDENTS AND DELIVER HANDS-ON SCIENCE AND ECOLITERACY LESSONS. EDUCATORS ALSO ENGAGED THEIR WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES DURING VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS, EARTH DAY EVENTS, AND MORE.
  3. $1.4 million spent. ENERGIZE CAREERS: THE ENERGIZE CAREERS PROGRAM STRIVES TO CREATE A DIVERSE AND REPRESENTATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY WORKFORCE THROUGH THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT BY HELPING THEM TO ACCESS HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-GROWTH GREEN CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. WE PROVIDE TRAINING AND PAID WORK EXPERIENCES, CONNECT PARTICIPANTS WITH WRAPAROUND SERVICES, AND LEAD CAREER SKILLS WORKSHOPS. THE PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORT COLLABORATION BETWEEN TRAINING PARTNERS, WRAPAROUND SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND EMPLOYERS. WE SUPPORT 400 INDIVIDUALS WITH JOB TRAINING AND/OR PLACEMENT.
  4. $1.0 million spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAMS PROMOTING ENERGY RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND HELPING PEOPLE IN UNDER-SERVED MARKETS TO EMBRACE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.

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 June 2000.

    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.