Energy Action Fund
Energy Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, established in 2008 (originally incorporated as Green Tech Action Fund, 2008-2017). The organization functions as a grantmaking entity dedicated to advancing clean energy policy and reducing carbon emissions through strategic advocacy and policy influence at the state and federal levels.
Key facts about Energy Action Fund
- EIN
- 26-3390444
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,027,829
- Grants made (2024)
- 152
- Average grant
- $131,762
- Median grant
- $66,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (49 of 152, 2024)
- Total assets
- $29,275,559
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (15% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Energy Action Fund funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Energy Action Fund's 152 itemized 2024 grants were District of Columbia (15%), 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). 19% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Clean Energy Policy Advancement in the States." (123 grants).
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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Energy Action Fund
- How to evaluate Energy Action Fund as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.3M
-12.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.0M
+29.4% YoY
Grant Count
152
+10.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$132K
+17.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Energy Action Fund advocates for a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. The organization's strategy centers on three core approaches:
- Supporting Public Policy: Providing grants and resources to organizations across the country with the capacity to advance energy policies at all levels of government
- Fostering Accountability: Advancing accountability strategies that keep policymakers focused on the public interest
- Empowering Local Voices: Working with a network of campaign experts across the political spectrum to influence state capitol energy policy decisions
The organization concentrates its resources on clean energy market development, energy efficiency advancement, and policy wins that drive innovation and reduce carbon emissions.
Grantmaking
Energy Action Fund provides grants to support clean energy and energy efficiency policy advancement. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Energy Action Fund concentrates its resources with advocates and policymakers across venues throughout the United States, with particular emphasis on state-level energy politics and state capitol policy influence.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 152 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available financial data:
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,275,559 | 2024 |
| Total Revenues | $24,410,702 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $30,341,359 | 2024 |
| Total Giving | $15,474,778 | 2023 |
The organization maintains a staff of approximately 39 employees as of 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,275,559 | $33,339,510 | $8,216,305 |
| Revenue | $24,410,702 | $48,011,958 | $12,042,713 |
| Expenses | $30,341,359 | $23,052,573 | $16,854,253 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $245,280 | $217,477 | $52,706 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
559 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Tides Advocacy ($1,135,000), League of Conservation Voters Inc ($720,000), Conservation Minnesota Voter Center Inc ($700,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Ryan Werder serves as Executive Director of Energy Action Fund.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicole Systrom | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Jason Mark | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Courtney Cuff | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Phil Sharp | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Virginia Lacy | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Eric Heitz | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Brian Stanley | Secretary | 6 | $33,089 |
| Ryan Werder | Eaf Executive Director | 36 | $248,557 |
| Maria Alvarez | Sr. Director, Finance | 10 | $61,508 |
| Elizabeth Shroff | Program Director (Thru 9/6/24) | 36 | $141,103 |
| Bianca Joseph | Program Manager | 36 | $107,539 |
| Mariah Tate | Sr. Director, Strategic Prtnshp | 20 | $100,667 |
| Thomas McClure | Sr. Program Director | 36 | $185,559 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Energy Action Fund has been active in supporting clean energy initiatives and policy advancement across multiple states. The organization continues to hire for key positions, including a Program Manager, Campaigns role, indicating ongoing expansion of advocacy efforts.
Energy Outreach Colorado Announces 2026 Energy Assistance Outreach Funding\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Energy Action Fund fund?
Energy Action Fund advocates for a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. The organization's strategy centers on three core approaches: • **Supporting Public Policy**: Providing grants and resources to organizations across the country with the capacity to advance energy policies at all levels of government • **Fostering Accountability**: Advancing accountability strategies that keep policymakers focused on the public interest • **Empowering Local Voices**: Working with …
How do I apply for a grant from Energy Action Fund?
Energy Action Fund provides grants to support clean energy and energy efficiency policy advancement. Recent grant activity includes: • **Tides Advocacy**: $1,135,000 (2024) for clean energy policy advancement in the states, general operating support • **League of Conservation Voters**: Grant awarded (2024) for clean energy policy advancement in the states, general operating support The organization also operates the Aligned Money Program (AMP), which equips climate donors with strategies and co…
Where does Energy Action Fund make grants?
Energy Action Fund concentrates its resources with advocates and policymakers across venues throughout the United States, with particular emphasis on state-level energy politics and state capitol policy influence.
What size grants does Energy Action Fund award?
In 2024, Energy Action Fund awarded 152 grants totaling $20.0M — an average of about $132K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.