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Passes our checks

Green Building Initiative Inc

EIN 86-1119361 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 59 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

To improve the built environment's impact on climate and society. We deliver education, credentialing, standards, assessments, and certifications developed by an inclusive and collaborative global network.

Income
$11.7 million
Spending
$9.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
17.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
34
Volunteers
72
Highest pay
$573,714, ceo

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 59 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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)
  1. $7.3 million spent. GBI offers two whole building certification programs that evaluate the sustainability, health & wellness, and resilience of commercial and multifamily residential buildings. Green Globes is available for projects in the US and Canada, whereas Ascent is available in the EU, UK, and elsewhere outside the US and Canada.Additionally, GBI's Journey to Net Zero assessment and certification program helps cut carbon and energy use in buildings by giving owners tools to evaluate performance, track progress, and make informed improvements.GBI also supports US government buildings in meeting federal sustainable building requirements through its Guiding Principles Compliance assessment program.To enhance sustainable building education and promote the adoption of best practices, GBI delivers the following credentialing programs: Green Globes Emerging Professional (GGEP), Green Globes Professional (GGP), Green Globes Fellow (GGF), Green Globes Assessor (GGA), Guiding Principles Compliance Professional (GPCP), and Guiding Principles Compliance Fellow (GPCF).GBI is a thought leader on sustainability, health and wellness, resilience, ESG, and Net Zero objectives related to buildings. As such, GBI collaborates with NGOs, governments, corporations, and allied organizations in the pursuit of global environmental objectives.GBI's Board of Directors strives to promote transparency in its governance practices as it does in the development of its rating systems, where GBI follows ANSI-approved procedures for consensus, balance, openness, and due process. To request information or provide input on GBI's governance, rating system development, online tools, or consensus processes, send inquires to info@thegbi.org.

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.