Conservative Energy Network
Conservative Energy Network is a public charity based in Lansing, Michigan. Its stated mission is to champion secure, reliable, affordable, clean American energy, and it supports education and public engagement on policies promoting cleaner and more efficient energy use.
Conservative Energy Network at a glance
In short: Conservative Energy Network gave $2.4M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $245K), top state North Carolina. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,449,575
- -5.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $244,958
- -5.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $207,365
- Total assets
- $5,928,655
- +29.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (1 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (24% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Conservative Energy Network
- Contact
Mailing address: 6250 S Cedar St Ste 13 173, Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: (517) 258-1459
Website: https://conservativeenergynetwork.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Conservative Energy Network funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Conservatives for Clean Energy ($592K). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 24 grants of 45 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CEN’s network page lists state-based organizations in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Its Pennsylvania page describes CEN-PA as one of a network of 26 state teams.
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were North Carolina (24%), Colorado (17%), Texas (15%), Ohio (9%), and Minnesota (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Conservative Energy Network open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 10 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $129K; repeat grants $258K. How we count
Medians: $129K first-time, $210K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2021) to $2.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Conservatives for Clean Energy Raleigh, NC | Support exempt purp. | $592,000 |
| The Western Way Englewood, CO | Support exempt purp. | $415,000 |
| Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation Austin, TX | Support exempt purp. | $373,321 |
| Ohio Conservative Energy Forum Columbus, OH | Support exempt purp. | $210,361 |
| Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum Edina, MN | Support exempt purp. | $209,690 |
| Michigan Conservative Energy Forum Lansing, MI | Support exempt purp. | $205,040 |
| Iowa Conservative Energy Forum West Des Moines, IA | Support exempt purp. | $135,500 |
| Indiana Conservative Alliance Carmel, IN | Support exempt purp. | $129,079 |
| Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum Madison, WI | Support exempt purp. | $123,738 |
| Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum Camp Hill, PA | Support exempt purp. | $55,846 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,928,655 | $8,199,394 | $7,044,862 | $2,449,575 | 10 | $6,914 |
| 2023 | $4,572,584 | $7,322,493 | $5,636,871 | $2,598,599 | 10 | — |
| 2022 | $2,923,544 | $6,534,540 | $6,886,135 | $2,715,705 | 8 | — |
| 2021 | $3,495,908 | $7,400,514 | $5,509,290 | $1,856,863 | 7 | — |
| 2020 | $1,582,772 | $5,682,966 | $5,166,357 | $2,314,865 | 10 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CEN’s mission is “to champion secure, reliable, affordable, clean American energy.” Its website describes goals that include American energy leadership and independence, affordable energy, energy jobs and innovation, consumer choice, property rights, and a secure power grid. Its 2024 filing says its purpose is to educate opinion leaders and the public about policies promoting cleaner and more efficient energy use, encourage a transition to a clean-energy future, and promote energy conservation. The filing also describes policy research, educational conferences, and public engagement as part of its work.
The 2024 grants include support for state and regional organizations. Among those grantees, Conservatives for Clean Energy Inc. says its mission is to educate the public and decision-makers about clean energy’s economic benefits and advocate for continued investment across the Southeast. The Western Way describes its mission as educating citizens and public officials on public-policy issues including the economy, jobs, government spending, taxes, regulations, government waste, and the environment. Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum says it seeks to facilitate clean-energy dialogue among center-right leaders and activists, then build capacity to educate and advocate for clean-energy policy. Michigan Conservative Energy Forum describes its mission as facilitating clean-energy dialogue among center-right leaders and activists.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CEN gave 10 grants totaling $2,449,575. Grants ranged from $55,846 to $592,000, with a median of $207,365.
Largest reported grants included:
The filing lists each of these grants’ purpose as “Support exempt purp.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mark Fleming as president; Mike Hartley as treasurer; Michael Jewell as secretary; Laura Lanese as director at large; John Szoka as CEO; Brittany Zwierzchowski Tisler as COO; John Miller as operations director; Tyler Duvelius as external affairs director; and Sarah Spence as Midwest regional director.
CEN’s team page lists John Szoka as chief executive officer, Britt Zwierzchowski Tisler as chief operating officer, JR Miller as director of operations and organizational leadership, and Sarah Spence as Midwest regional director.
Conservative Energy Network is led by John Szoka, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 5 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Szoka
CEO
Chief Executive → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$159K (2023) → $309K (2024)
Mark Fleming
President
Secretary → President & Secretary, 2022
President & Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Duvelius
External Affairs Director
Director of Ext. → External Affairs Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$107K (2023) → $131K (2024)
John Miller
Operations Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$149K (2024)
Sarah Spence
Midwest Regional Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2024)
Laura Lanese
Director at Large
Director at → Director at Large, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brittany Zwierzchowski Tisler
COO
Chief Op. of → COO, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$167K (2022) → $161K (2024)
Michael Jewell
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Hartley
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Jim Macinnes (2020–2023) — Director · Filing note: Ended
- Former: Larry Ward (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Jr Miller (2023) — Director of Oper
- Former: Landon Stevens (2020–2022) — Director of
- Former: Mark Pischea (2020–2022) — CEO · Filing note: Ended
- Former: Jackson Keith (2022) — Director of
- Former: Brittany Zwierzchowski (2020–2021) — Chief Op. of
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $309K, to John Szoka (CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Conservative Energy Network
How much does Conservative Energy Network give each year?
Conservative Energy Network gave $2.4M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.6M across 10 grants.
What is Conservative Energy Network's typical grant size?
Conservative Energy Network's median grant in 2024 was $207,365, and its average grant was $244,958, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Conservative Energy Network that year got $129K on average.
Where does Conservative Energy Network give grants?
Conservative Energy Network's top state is North Carolina, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Colorado (17%) and Texas (15%).
Who are Conservative Energy Network's largest grantees?
Conservative Energy Network's largest 2024 grantees include Conservatives for Clean Energy ($592,000), The Western Way ($415,000) and Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation ($373,321), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Conservative Energy Network?
Conservative Energy Network reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.2M.
What does Conservative Energy Network fund?
CEN’s mission is “to champion secure, reliable, affordable, clean American energy.” Its website describes goals that include American energy leadership and independence, affordable energy, energy jobs and innovation, consumer choice, property rights, and a secure power grid. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Conservative Energy Network?
Conservative Energy Network has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check conservativeenergynetwork.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Conservative Energy Network's EIN?
Conservative Energy Network's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3459199. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Conservative Energy Network's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future
Lansing, MI
Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future funds organizations advancing market-driven clean-energy policy, education, research, consumer choice, and clean-energy jobs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $14,100 to $1,015,000, with a median of $114,000, and went to organizations in Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
12
Total Given
$2.9M
United States Energy Foundation
San Francisco, CA
United States Energy Foundation funds education, outreach, and analysis advancing clean and equitable energy and climate solutions, including renewable energy, efficiency, clean transportation, buildings, and industry, in the United States. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $21 million, with a median of $135,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; grant-seekers must be invited.
Assets
$215.7M
Grants
597
Total Given
$166.3M
The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Atlanta, GA
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation funds work in Atlanta’s Westside, democracy, the environment, mental health and well-being, youth development, and founder initiatives, with a focus on Georgia and Montana and some national impact. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $20 million, with a median of $50,000. It makes grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$466.3M
Grants
586
Total Given
$212.1M
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
Charlottesville, VA
The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community organizations working on needs such as housing, food access, health, youth development, arts, environmental stewardship, and equity in Charlottesville and surrounding counties. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $20,100; the foundation describes application-based grant programs, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$292.3M
Grants
437
Total Given
$27.9M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
The Richards Foundation
Carrollton, GA
The Richards Foundation’s 2024 grants supported organizations and individuals serving others, including conservation, mental health, community quality of life, and disaster relief. It made 18 grants totaling $2.43 million, ranging from $500 to $505,000, with a median grant of $62,500; funding went mainly to North Carolina, Colorado, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The filing says application materials are not applicable and does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$8.9M
Grants
18
Total Given
$2.4M
More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Conservative Energy Network funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/conservative-energy-network-morg_5730bb6cc62f478c97f4b7f4e89363c3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_813459199_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Conservative Energy Network funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/conservative-energy-network-morg_5730bb6cc62f478c97f4b7f4e89363c3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Conservative Energy Network's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Conservative Energy Network down — hundreds of funders to go?