Energy Action Fund
Energy Action Fund is a public charity based in San Francisco, California, formed in 2008. It provides grants to support the advancement of clean energy and energy efficiency policies and advocates for a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis.
Energy Action Fund at a glance
In short: Energy Action Fund gave $20.0M across 152 grants in 2024 (avg $132K), top state District of Columbia. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,027,829
- +29.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 152
- +10.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $131,762
- +17.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $66,500
- Total assets
- $29,275,559
- -12.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (49 of 152, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (15% 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 Energy Action Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 55 2Nd Street 24Th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 561-6700
Website: https://energyactionfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Energy Action Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tides Advocacy ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $6.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
559 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 231 grants of 559 (41%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund says it concentrates resources with clean energy advocates in venues across the United States, at all levels of government, and highlights state-level policy work. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Washington, DC (15%), California (11%), New York (6%), Minnesota (6%), and Pennsylvania (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 152 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Energy Action Fund open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 49 of 152 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $91K; repeat grants $151K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $70K 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 $6.2M (2020) to $20.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 152 grants totaling $20.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tides Advocacy San Francisco, CA | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. General operating support. | $1,135,000 |
| League of Conservation Voters Inc Washington, DC | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. General operating support. | $720,000 |
| Conservation Minnesota Voter Center Inc Minneapolis, MN | General Operating Support | $700,000 |
| Counterspark Inc Washington, DC | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. General operating support. | $695,000 |
| Faith in Place Action Fund Chicago, IL | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. | $660,000 |
| Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund Inc Wilmington, DE | General Operating Support | $600,000 |
| Conservation Voters of South Carolina Columbia, SC | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. | $595,000 |
| Nevada Conservation League Las Vegas, NV | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. General operating support. | $540,000 |
| Pennsylvania United Pittsburgh, PA | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. General operating support. | $515,000 |
| Association for Energy Affordability Inc Bronx, NY | To support clean energy policy advancement in the states. | $430,000 |
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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 | $29,275,559 | $24,410,702 | $30,341,359 | $20,027,829 | 152 | $245,280 |
| 2023 | $33,339,510 | $48,011,958 | $23,052,573 | $15,474,778 | 138 | $217,477 |
| 2022 | $8,216,305 | $12,042,713 | $16,854,253 | $12,042,961 | 106 | $52,706 |
| 2021 | $13,042,856 | $15,440,948 | $11,855,243 | $7,542,250 | 109 | $948 |
| 2020 | $9,177,467 | $12,338,784 | $9,413,624 | $6,216,350 | 54 | $-17,803 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s stated mission is to advocate for a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. Its grantmaking supports clean energy and energy efficiency policy advancement. The Fund also describes its approach as supporting public policy, fostering accountability to keep policymakers working in the public’s interest, empowering local advocates, and engaging decision-makers with analysis and community input.
Its 2024 grantees include organizations with varied missions. For example, the League of Conservation Voters says it works to turn environmental values into national, state, and local priorities and to hold elected officials accountable. Counterspark says its mission is to support public policies that enable widespread participation in the benefits of advanced energy. The Association for Energy Affordability says it works to make energy efficiency affordable in new and existing buildings. Faith in Place Action Fund describes its work as promoting political action for environmental justice in Illinois.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Energy Action Fund reported 152 grants totaling $20,027,829. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $1,135,000, with a median grant of $66,500.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $1,135,000 to Tides Advocacy for clean energy policy advancement in the states and general operating support; $720,000 to the League of Conservation Voters for the same purpose; $700,000 to Conservation Minnesota Voter Center for general operating support; and $695,000 to Counterspark for clean energy policy advancement in the states and general operating support. Other large grants included $660,000 to Faith in Place Action Fund, $600,000 to Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund, and $595,000 to Conservation Voters of South Carolina.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ryan Werder as executive director. Nicole Systrom is board chair, Jason Mark is vice chair, and Brian Stanley is secretary. The other listed board members are Courtney Cuff, Phil Sharp, Virginia Lacy, and Eric Heitz. Maria Alvarez is listed as senior director of finance, and Elizabeth Shroff as program director through September 6, 2024.
Energy Action Fund is led by Ryan Werder, Eaf Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ryan Werder
Eaf Executive Director
Senior Regional Director & Midwest → Eaf Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
36 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $249K (2024)
Nicole Systrom
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Shroff
Program Director
On filings since 2023
36 hrs/week
$143K (2023) → $141K (2024)
Maria Alvarez
Senior Director & Finance
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
$62K (2024)
Mariah Tate
Senior Director & Strategic Prtnshp
New on the 2024 filing
20 hrs/week
$101K (2024)
Thomas McClure
Senior Program Director
New on the 2024 filing
36 hrs/week
$186K (2024)
Brian Stanley
Secretary
COO → COO & Secretary, 2021
COO & Secretary → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $33K (2024)
Bianca Joseph
Program Manager
New on the 2024 filing
36 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Courtney Cuff
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Heitz
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Mark
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Sharp
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Virginia Lacy
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Amy Fuerstenau (2020) — Eaf Executive Director
- Former: Carrie Doyle (2020) — Eaf Executive Director
- Former: Emily Enderle (2020) — Senior Regional Director & Northeast
- Former: Jennifer Bumgarner (2020) — Senior Regional Director & Southeast
- Former: Rodney Butler (2020) — Senior Director & Finance
- Former: Shannon Raborn (2020) — Senior Regional Director & West
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 $249K, to Ryan Werder (EAF Executive Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Energy Action Fund
How much does Energy Action Fund give each year?
Energy Action Fund gave $20.0M across 152 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $15.5M across 138 grants.
What is Energy Action Fund's typical grant size?
Energy Action Fund's median grant in 2024 was $66,500, and its average grant was $131,762, across 152 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Energy Action Fund that year got $91K on average.
Where does Energy Action Fund give grants?
Energy Action Fund's top state is District of Columbia, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (11%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (15 grants), San Francisco, CA (6 grants), Denver, CO (6 grants) and New York, NY (6 grants).
Does Energy Action Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 19% of Energy Action Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (29 of 152) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "To Support Clean Energy Policy Advancement in the States." (123 grants).
Who are Energy Action Fund's largest grantees?
Energy Action Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Tides Advocacy ($1,135,000), League of Conservation Voters Inc ($720,000) and Conservation Minnesota Voter Center Inc ($700,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Energy Action Fund?
Energy Action Fund reported $29.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.4M.
What does Energy Action Fund fund?
The Fund’s stated mission is to advocate for a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. Its grantmaking supports clean energy and energy efficiency policy advancement. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Energy Action Fund?
Energy Action Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check energyactionfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Energy Action Fund's EIN?
Energy Action Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3390444. 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 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 9, 2024)
- 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 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Energy Action Fund funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Energy Action Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Energy Action Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/energy-action-fund-morg_165021e60aa84de8bac1dd549ef87bf1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_263390444_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Energy Action Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/energy-action-fund-morg_165021e60aa84de8bac1dd549ef87bf1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Energy Action Fund'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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