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Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy Inc

EIN 88-2858979 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ALLIANCE IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OFFERING NO-COST CAPACITY-BUILDING SUPPORT TO TRIBES THROUGH FOUR KEY PILLARS BUILT ON A STRONG FOUNDATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND VALUES.

Income
$15.2 million
Spending
$9.2 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
40
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$282,200, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 120% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. CONVENING AND EVENTSTHE ORGANIZATION HOSTS THREE FLAGSHIP EVENTS ANNUALLY:TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY FINANCE FORUM: A STRATEGIC CONVENING OF TRIBAL LEADERS, INVESTORS, LENDERS, AND CLEAN ENERGY STAKEHOLDERS FOCUSED ON ADVANCING EQUITABLE PARTNERSHIPS. THE FORUM EMPHASIZES INTERACTIVE, SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED DISCUSSIONS THAT ALIGN COMMUNITY PRIORITIES WITH INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES.TRIBAL ENERGY EVOLUTION SUMMIT (TEES): AN ANNUAL GATHERING THAT BRINGS TOGETHER TRIBAL LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL COLLABORATION, FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE, AND SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF TRIBAL ENERGY SOVEREIGNTY.TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY SYMPOSIUM AT RE+: A STRUCTURED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS ON BEST PRACTICES FOR ENGAGING WITH TRIBAL NATIONS IN CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT. THE SYMPOSIUM COVERS FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES, PRACTICAL TOOLS, AND REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS WITHIN THE CURRENT POLICY AND MARKET LANDSCAPE.
  2. $1.3 million spent. TRIBAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & PROJECT DEVELOPMENTTHE ALLIANCE TEAM OFFERS GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR ENERGY PLANNING, GRANT WRITING, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, FINANCING, LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS. THROUGH OUR PREFERRED PROVIDER PROGRAM, WE EVALUATE AND CONNECT TRIBES WITH HIGHLY QUALIFIED, ETHICAL CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ENSURE TRIBES' BEST INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED THROUGH ALL PHASES OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $1.0 million spent. ENERGY POLICY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONSTHE ALLIANCE FOR TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY POLICY TEAM ADVOCATES TO ENSURE TRIBAL NATIONS ARE NOT JUST STAKEHOLDERS, BUT SOVEREIGN DECISION-MAKERS IN THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION. FOR TOO LONG, TRIBES HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO EXTRACTIVE AND EXPLOITATIVE CONTROL BY FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES, OUTSIDE UTILITIES, AND NON-TRIBAL AGENCIES. THE SELF-DETERMINED DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE OFFERS A PATHWAY TO BREAK FREE FROM THIS LEGACY AND SECURE LASTING SOVEREIGNTY. AS OUR FOUNDER, CHRI SMITH, OFTEN ASKS: "HOW CAN A TRIBAL NATION BE TRULY SOVEREIGN IF IT IS NOT IN CONTROL OF ITS OWN ENERGY RESOURCES?"
  4. $3.0 million spent. THE INDIGENOUS POWER & LIGHT FUND (IPLF), A PROGRAM OF THE ALLIANCE, IS A TARGETED PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT INITIATIVE. IPLF AIMS TO SECURE AN INITIAL $100 MILLION IN URGENTLY NEEDED SUPPORT TO SERVE AS A JUST-IN-TIME CATALYST, UNLOCKING A PORTION OF OVER $27 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING CURRENTLY ALLOCATED IN RECENT LANDMARK LEGISLATION AND HELPING TO ENSURE THAT THE POTENTIAL OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY IN U.S. HISTORY IS REALIZED. ITS VISION IS TO SPARK PROFOUND CHANGE BY FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTHAND MITIGATING THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ULTIMATELY STRIVING TO EFFECT A JUST TRANSITION AND RESTORE TRUE SOVEREIGNTY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 June 2023.

    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 November 4, 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.