Olympia Community Solar
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 49% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To steward an equitable and accessible transition to clean energy through community solar education, policy, and project development.
- Income
- $342,214
- Spending
- $577,753
- Spent on programs
- 49%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 6
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes -1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 69% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1549% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (5)
- $146,040 spent. GOOD SHEPHERD community solar: Olympia Community Solar is the owner/operator of a 172 kW solar energy installation on Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The project serves one low-income service provider with clean energy benefits.
- $65,102 spent. THURGOOD MARSHALL Community Solar: Olympia Community Solar is the owner/operator of a 150 kw solar energy installation on Thurgood Marshall Middle School. The project serves 37 private subscribers and one lowincome service povider with clean energy benefits. The vast majority of the project is dedicated to low-income housing providers, funded by the WSU low-income community solar program.
- $43,640 spent. Management Fees and depreciation for 4 prior projects, Grant writing, Feasibility Studies for Tumwater City Govt, and Coastal Community Action Program.
- $29,344 spent. SOLARIZE: Solarize is a solar group purchasing program aimed at promoting the installation of solar panels on homes and businesses. The program offers participants access to discounted rates on high-quality solar panel installations, as well as support from a team of experienced solar professionals throughout the installation process. Solarize is committed to promoting the use of clean, renewable energy and helping communities to reduce their carbon footprint. The 2024 Solarize program supported 80 homeowners to invest about $2,300,000 dollars in their own solar energy systems.
- Management Fees and depreciation for 4 prior projects, Grant writing, Feasibility Studies for Tumwater City Govt, and CPRG Grant (Climate Solution Reduction Grant).
Source: Form 990 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.