Elevate Energy

Public charity · Grantmaker Chicago, IL EIN: 36-4443093

Elevate Energy is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. It promotes access to energy and water solutions and designs and implements programs intended to reduce costs, create jobs, and extend the benefits of efficient energy and water use to people who need them most.

Elevate Energy at a glance

In short: Elevate Energy gave $3.3M across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $71K), top state Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$3,267,832
-42.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
46
+70.4% vs 2023
Average grant
$71,040
-66.2% vs 2023
Median grant
$25,000
Total assets
$58,343,027
+37.6% vs 2023
Primary geography
Massachusetts (31% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

How to apply to Elevate Energy

Contact

Mailing address: 322 S Green Street 300, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (773) 269-4037

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Elevate Energy funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

New Ecology Inc: $1.0MNew Ecology Inc$1.0MEastside Community Network: $277KEastside Community Network$277KUsgbc-Illinois Chapter: $226KUsgbc-Illinois Chapter$226KSolutions Project Inc: $200KSolutions Project Inc$200KBickerdike Redevelopment Center: $160KBickerdike RedevelopmentCenter$160KCommunity Health NFP: $155KCommunity Health NFP$155KSlipstream Group Inc: $90KSlipstream Group Inc$90KBusiness Services Collective NFP: $85KBusiness Services CollectiveNFP$85KPolar Bear Sustainable Energy Co-Op: $75KPolar Bear Sustainable EnergyCo-Op$75KWalnut Way Conservation Corp: $65KWalnut Way Conservation Corp$65K

The largest 2024 recipient was New Ecology Inc ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.

Grant Size Distribution

90 grants across all recorded years

45<$50K17$50–100K17$100–250K3$250–500K2$500K–1M6$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 90 (50%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Elevate describes itself as a national organization headquartered in Chicago and says it has worked with partners across the country since 2000. Its IRA Impact Cohort serves communities in the Midwest and Southeast; the Midwest cohort spans Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (31%), Michigan (30%), Illinois (21%), Wisconsin (10%), and California (6%).

Grant Distribution by State

9states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.

Cities

ChicagoDetroitMadisonBostonHighland ParkAnn ArborEau ClaireOaklandGrand RapidsLac Du FlambeauNoviBattle CreekBayfieldBenton HarborDearbornDoltonFreelandGlenwood cityGreenvilleHammond

How Elevate Energy gives

  • 24% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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

$0$2M$4M$6M1 grant2020 4 grants2021 12 grants2022 27 grants2023 46 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2020) to $5.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $3.3M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
New Ecology Inc Boston, MANational Market Expansion$1,021,335
Eastside Community Network Detroit, MIProgram Services$277,200
Usgbc-Illinois Chapter Chicago, ILProgram Services$226,197
Solutions Project Inc Oakland, CAProgram Services$200,000
Bickerdike Redevelopment Center Chicago, ILProgram Services$160,000
Community Health NFP Chicago, ILProgram Services$155,499
Slipstream Group Inc Madison, WIEnergy Planning$90,000
Business Services Collective NFP Chicago, ILProgram Services$85,000
Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Co-Op Highland Park, MIProgram Services$75,000
Walnut Way Conservation Corp Milwaukee, WIBuilding Electrification$65,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$58,343,027$60,915,201$57,878,205$3,267,83246$798,224
2023$42,389,474$50,880,463$46,548,460$5,670,62327$698,092
2022$34,326,769$40,435,759$33,010,602$2,488,56312$156,630
2021$26,024,460$38,178,610$35,178,448$2,134,5194$4,380
2020$19,511,651$28,275,330$26,894,182$1,519,0731$21,185

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Elevate Energy’s stated mission is to promote and expand access to future-focused energy and water solutions. Its programs include residential electricity pricing, energy and water efficiency retrofits in residential and nonprofit buildings, and energy planning and data analysis. Its Building Electrification Program provides financial support and a turnkey service delivery model for homeowners and multifamily property owners pursuing electrification retrofits.

Elevate’s IRA Impact Cohort provides customized project-development, community-engagement, and grant-proposal support to local governments and community partners. The program prioritizes climate and racial equity projects and includes passthrough funding for additional technical assistance.

Examples of 2024 grantees reflect a range of community, environmental, and service organizations. New Ecology describes its work as advancing sustainable development at the community level with an emphasis on equity. The Solutions Project says it funds and amplifies climate justice solutions created by frontline community organizations. Walnut Way Conservation Corporation describes itself as a resident-led Milwaukee neighborhood organization focused on civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic diversity. Community Health NFP says it provides free medical care to people who are medically uninsured and economically disadvantaged.

Grantmaking

In 2024, Elevate reported 46 grants totaling $3,267,832. Grant amounts ranged from $5,455 to $1,021,335, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest listed grants included $1,021,335 to New Ecology Inc for “National Market Expansion”; $277,200 to Eastside Community Network for “Program Services”; $226,197 to USGBC-Illinois Chapter for “Program Services”; $200,000 to Solutions Project Inc for “Program Services”; and $160,000 to Bickerdike Redevelopment Center for “Program Services.”

Other listed grants included $155,499 to Community Health NFP, $90,000 to Slipstream Group Inc for “Energy Planning,” $85,000 to Business Services Collective NFP, $75,000 to Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Co-Op, and $65,000 to Walnut Way Conservation Corp for “Building Electrification.”

Elevate’s IRA Impact Cohort had helped communities submit 31 grant applications totaling more than $1.4 billion as of April 2024. This is a technical-assistance program supporting applications for federal funding, distinct from Elevate’s grants to other organizations.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Anne Evens as CEO and President; David Shryock as Treasurer and Vice Chair; and John Cleveland as Chair. Directors listed were Chinwe Onyeagoro, Edgar Ramirez (whose term ended July 12, 2024), Jennifer Tescher, Kimberly Lewis, Leah Turnbull, Margaret O’Dell, and Scott Bernstein.

Elevate Energy is led by Anne Evens, CEO & President on every filing since 2020; 6 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Anne Evens

    CEO & President

    On filings since 2020

    50 hrs/week

    $187K (2020) → $266K (2024)

  • John Cleveland

    Chair

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Tescher

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Margaret O'Dell

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Weissbourd

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Bernstein

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Susan Estes

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Denise Fairchild

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Edgar Ramirez

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kimberly Lewis

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chinwe Onyeagoro

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Leah Turnbull

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carlos Martin

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Abigail Corso

    Chief Strategy Officer

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $158K (2020) → $211K (2024)

  • Antonia Ornelas

    Chief Program Officer

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $153K (2020) → $206K (2024)

  • Delmar Gillus

    Chief Operating Officer

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $177K (2020) → $201K (2024)

  • Lindy Loyet

    Chief Financial Officer

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $161K (2020) → $212K (2024)

  • Rebecca Turner Buckland

    Chief People Officer

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $209K (2023) → $212K (2024)

  • David Shryock

    Treasurer & Vice Chair

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (9)
  • Former: Sharonda Williams-Tack (2020–2023) — Director -
  • Former: Trisha Miller (2022) — Chief Innovation & Development Officer
  • Former: Mindy Mercaldo (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Leah Trumbull (2021) — Director
  • Former: Dan York (2020) — Director
  • Former: Dick Munson (2020) — Director
  • Former: Doug Farr (2020) — Director
  • Former: Marjorie Isaacson (2020) — Director & Customer Support
  • Former: Martin Cohen (2020) — Director

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

Anne Evens — CEO & President: $266KAnne EvensCEO & President$266KRebecca Turner Buckland — Chief People Officer: $212KRebecca Turner BucklandChief People Officer$212KLindy Loyet — Chief Financial Officer: $212KLindy LoyetChief Financial Officer$212KAbigail Corso — Chief Strategy Officer: $211KAbigail CorsoChief Strategy Officer$211KAntonia Ornelas — Chief Program Officer: $206KAntonia OrnelasChief Program Officer$206KDelmar Gillus — Chief Operating Officer: $201KDelmar GillusChief Operating Officer$201K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $266K, to Anne Evens (CEO & President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Elevate Energy

How much does Elevate Energy give each year?

Elevate Energy gave $3.3M across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.7M across 27 grants.

What is Elevate Energy's typical grant size?

Elevate Energy's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $71,040, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does Elevate Energy give grants?

Elevate Energy's top state is Massachusetts, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (30%) and Illinois (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (10 grants), Chicago, IL (5 grants), Madison, WI (4 grants) and Highland Park, MI (4 grants).

Does Elevate Energy give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 46 grants with a stated purpose on Elevate Energy's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Services" (36 grants), "Energy Planning" (6 grants) and "Building Electrification" (3 grants).

Who are Elevate Energy's largest grantees?

Elevate Energy's largest 2024 grantees include New Ecology Inc ($1,021,335), Eastside Community Network ($277,200) and Usgbc-Illinois Chapter ($226,197), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Elevate Energy?

Elevate Energy reported $58.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $60.9M.

What does Elevate Energy fund?

Elevate Energy’s stated mission is to promote and expand access to future-focused energy and water solutions. Its programs include residential electricity pricing, energy and water efficiency retrofits in residential and nonprofit buildings, and energy planning and data analysis. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Elevate Energy?

Elevate Energy has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Elevate Energy's EIN?

Elevate Energy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4443093. 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

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 7, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 7, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Elevate Energy funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elevate-energy-morg_70dabdf4a1554219acc15ac003f11b9a

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364443093_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Elevate Energy funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/elevate-energy-morg_70dabdf4a1554219acc15ac003f11b9a},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Elevate Energy'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.

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