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United States Energy Foundation

EIN 83-1740146 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO SECURE A CLEAN AND EQUITABLE ENERGY FUTURE TO TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

Income
$261.4 million
Spending
$238.7 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
142
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$567,986, ceo

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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 (1)
  1. $226.5 million spent. IN 2024, UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION (USEF) PROVIDED GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS THAT ADVANCE CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE SOLUTIONS THROUGH EDUCATION AND ANALYSIS. ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED (BUT WERE NOT LIMITED TO) THE ADOPTION OF CLEANER BUILDING MEASURES, THE ADVANCEMENT OF CLEANER VEHICLES AND FUELS, THE ADVANCEMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, AND GOVERNMENT COMMITMENTS TO ACHIEVE 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY A TARGET DATE. USEF PROGRAMS ALSO AIM TO DELIVER EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE BENEFITS OF CLEAN ENERGY FOR ALL COMMUNITIES. AS WE PURSUE THE ACHIEVEMENTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, WE ASSESS AND ADJUST OUR WORK TO ADDRESS DISCREPANCIES IN ACCESS AMONG ALL COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY POLLUTION, HIGH ENERGY PRICES, AND CLIMATE IMPACTS.

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 April 2019.

    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.