Solaris Initiative
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY BY OFFERING AFFORDABLE SOLAR LEASE OPTIONS TO HOMEOWNERS. WE BELIEVE THAT COST SHOULD NEVER BE A BARRIER TO SUSTAINABILITY. BY REMOVING THE UPFRONT FINANCIAL BURDEN OR PURCHASING SOLAR SYSTEMS, WE EMPOWER FAMILIES TO REDUCE THEIR UTILITY BILLS, INCREASE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, AND CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT, WHILE BUILDING STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES POWERED BY THE SUN.
- Income
- $653,231
- Spending
- $449,558
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 7
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- FISCAL YEAR 2025 THE SOLAR LEASE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN Q4 OF FISCAL YEAR 2024, AND, WHILE ULTIMATELY SUCCESSFUL, IT DIDN'T GAIN MUCH TRACTION UNTIL Q2 OF 2025. 2025 IS THE 2ND YEAR OF THE LEASE PROGRAM AND WE INSTALLED 23 SYSTEMS USING OUR TRADITIONAL LEASE PRODUCT, WHICH ALLOWED 23 FAMILIES TO REALIZE DAY 1 SAVINGS WITHOUT ANYTHING OUT OF POCKET. IN ADDITION, WE ADDED A FULL YEAR OF NO PAYMENTS TO FAMILIES WHO SIGNED UP IN 2025! DUE TO THIS PROMOTION, REVENUE FROM THE PROGRAM WAS LIMITED, AS THOSE FAMILIES DON'T PAY UNTIL 2026.
- IN Q3 OF 2025 WE LAUNCHED OUR PREPAID LEASE PROGRAM SIMPLY AS A RESULT OF THE DEMAND FOR A PREPAID LEASE. THE NEW PREPAID PROGRAM DOESN'T RESULT IN "DAY-1" SAVINGS, BUT IT SAVES FAMILIES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE 25-YEAR PERIOD THAT A TRADITIONAL LEASE WOULD COVER. THIS IS OUR "SAVINGS ON TOP OF SAVINGS" PRODUCT. THE HOMEOWNERS STILL GET A SOLAR SYSTEM AT 70% OF THE RETAIL COST OF A SOLAR SYSTEM, BUT PAYING UP FRONT ALSO SAVES THEM THE COST OF IMPLIED INTEREST. THE IDEA CAME FROM A COUPLE OF OUR CUSTOMERS, AND WE WERE HAPPY TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR REQUEST. AS WE HEADED INTO THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE YEAR, THIS PROGRAM WAS THE POPULAR CHOICE AMONGST FAMILIES THAT DECIDED TO GO GREEN!
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.