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Institute for Energy Research

EIN 76-0149778 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE INSTITUTE FOR ENERGY RESEARCH (IER) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CONDUCTS INTENSIVE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ON THE FUNCTIONS, OPERATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF GLOBAL ENERGY MARKETS. IER MAINTAINS THAT FREELY FUNCTIONING ENERGY MARKETS PROVIDE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO TODAY'S GLOBAL ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND, AS SUCH, ARE CRITICAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
11
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$487,800, president

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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 (2)
  1. $1.2 million spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION: IER TURNS RESEARCH INTO EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. IER'S COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION EFFORTS ARE DISSEMINATED EMPLOYING BOTH TRADITIONAL AND NEW MEDIA TO EDUCATE POLICY MAKERS, THE MEDIA, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND OTHER CONSTITUENCIES ON ENERGY ISSUES AND SOUND ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.
  2. $436,966 spent. RESEARCH: IER CONDUCTS INTENSIVE, ORIGINAL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ON THE FUNCTIONS, OPERATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF GLOBAL ENERGY MARKETS. IER HAS EARNED A SOLID REPUTATION AS A PREMIER SOURCE OF ACCURATE, SUBSTANTIVE AND TIMELY ENERGY INFORMATION FOR POLICY MAKERS, THE MEDIA, AND PUBLIC. IER'S SCHOLARLY RESEARCH PROVIDES THE INTELLECTUAL UNDERPINNINGS FOR OUR EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS. THIS YEAR WE FOCUSED ON IMPEDIMENTS TO DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS, BURDENSOME REGULATIONS, AND THE FAVORITISM OF ENERGY SOURCES THAT ARE UNSUSTAINABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE.

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 August 1985.

    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.

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