Grid Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a public charity based in Oakland, California. It works to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy, including solar projects, clean-energy training, and programs serving low-income households and communities and tribal communities.
Grid Alternatives at a glance
In short: Grid Alternatives gave $4.7M across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $176K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,749,229
- +85.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +42.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $175,897
- +30.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $63,533,054
- +0.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Grid Alternatives
- Contact
Mailing address: 1171 Ocean Avenue 200, Oakland, CA 94608
Phone: (510) 731-1310
Website: https://gridalternatives.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Grid Alternatives
Tribal Energy Plan Grant
Grid Alternatives
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tribal Facility and Residential Project Grant Program
Grid Alternatives
Amount
Up to US $200,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tribal Solar Gap Grant Program
Grid Alternatives
Amount
Up to US $250,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Grid Alternatives funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pine Point Microgrid ($250K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
91 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 57 grants of 91 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GRID Alternatives says it serves families in California, Colorado, and the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as tribal communities nationwide. In 2024, its grant dollars were distributed across recipient states as follows: California, 34%; New Mexico, 13%; Nevada, 8%; Oklahoma, 8%; and Oregon, 8%. Its largest listed 2024 grants also included recipients in Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Grid Alternatives gives
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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $393K (2021) to $4.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $4.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Point Microgrid San Francisco, CA | Solar Project | $250,000 |
| Toiyabe Indian Health Project Inc Bishop, CA | Solar Project | $250,000 |
| Bad River Tribe Odanah, WI | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Radio Eagle Butte, SD | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| Dry Creek Rancheria Geyerville, CA | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| Guidiville Rancheria of California Talmage, CA | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Hugo, OK | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| Miccosukee Corporation Miami, FL | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Nixon, NV | Solar Project | $200,000 |
| San Ildefonso Services LLC Santa Fe, NM | Solar Project | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Grid Alternatives?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $63,533,054 | $46,882,198 | $45,057,997 | $4,749,229 | 27 | $638,558 |
| 2023 | $63,289,155 | $63,276,169 | $37,598,598 | $2,559,339 | 19 | $46,026 |
| 2022 | $33,326,272 | $23,149,824 | $33,998,773 | $3,409,787 | 27 | $-87,577 |
| 2021 | $40,864,368 | $37,598,833 | $28,083,267 | $392,510 | 6 | $-247,505 |
| 2020 | $30,271,553 | $27,084,220 | $21,981,341 | $1,562,120 | 12 | $-242,608 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
GRID Alternatives’ mission is to build community-powered solutions that advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. Its stated program work includes no-cost solar installations, hands-on solar training, technical assistance and solar projects for multifamily affordable housing, community and shared solar development, low-income solar policy and program work, energy access projects, and connecting low-income communities with electric-vehicle programs.
Its 2024 grants included solar projects for tribal and other community organizations. For example, Toiyabe Indian Health Project, which received $250,000, describes its mission as providing healthcare and promoting wellness to Indian communities; it says it is a consortium of seven federally recognized tribes and serves Native American communities. Sovereign Energy, which received $200,000, says it builds the power of Southwest Pueblos and Tribes to lead toward a just, interdependent, and sustainable energy future. An individual recipient, which received $10,000, says it works to promote the well-being of working families in Southern California by increasing and preserving affordable housing.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, GRID Alternatives reported 27 grants totaling $4,749,229. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $200,000. The largest listed grants included $250,000 each to Pine Point Microgrid in San Francisco and Toiyabe Indian Health Project in Bishop, both for solar projects. Other listed $200,000 solar grants went to Bad River Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Radio, Dry Creek Rancheria, Guidiville Rancheria of California, Housing Authority of the an individual recipient, Miccosukee Corporation, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, San Ildefonso Services LLC, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and Shoshone Paiute Tribes.
GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund offers Tribal Energy Plan Grants of up to $50,000 for projects lasting up to one year. The program description says the current grant cycle’s funds are fully subscribed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Melicia Charles as chair; Nolan Highbaugh as secretary; and Phyllis Currie as vice chair as of July 2024. It lists Pilar Thomas, Todd Rahn, Pete Upton, Juliana Pino (director as of May 2024), and Collette Brown-Rodriguez (director as of July 2024) as directors. Ben Passer is listed as president through July 2024, and Hina Baloch as director through March 2024.
Grid Alternatives is led by Erica Mackie, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 12 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Erica Mackie
Chief Executive Officer
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$147K (2020) → $203K (2024)
Ben Passer
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melicia Charles
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shamir Chauhan
Director - Commercial Business Development
Director of Commercial Bus Development → Director - Commercial Business Development, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$151K (2022) → $162K (2024)
Erika Hubbard
Senior Director, Govt Strategy & Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$156K (2024)
Pilar Thomas
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hina Baloch
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Collette Brown-Rodriguez
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juliana Pino
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pete Upton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Rahn
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anhdai Bambi Tran
Vice President of Regions
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$123K (2020) → $197K (2024)
Tamara Crayton
Controller
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$126K (2020) → $143K (2024)
Timothy Sears
Chief Operating Officer
COO → Chief Operations Officer, 2021
Chief Operations Officer → Chief Operating Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$170K (2020) → $247K (2024)
Lukasz Wojtaszek
Program Management Officer
Senior Program Director → Program Management Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$143K (2022) → $160K (2024)
Christian Weaver
Vice President of Philanthropy
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$139K (2023) → $182K (2024)
Christopher Walker
Vice President of Policy & Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$166K (2023) → $188K (2024)
Hector Pena
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$111K (2023) → $169K (2024)
Adewale Ogunbadejo
Vice President & Workforce Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$153K (2024)
Steven Fernandez
Vice President of Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$147K (2024)
Nolan Highbaugh
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Currie
Vice Chair
Chair → President, 2022
President → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Brad Sparks (2020–2022) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Orson Aguilar (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Stanley Greschner (2020–2022) — Chief Policy & Bus Development Officer
- Former: Zachary Franklin (2020–2022) — Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: Adam Bad Wound (2020–2021) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Jeffrey Coleman (2020–2021) — Vice President of Outreach
- Former: Robert Robinson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Catherine Kerr (2020) — Vice President, People & Culture
- Former: Erika Symmonds (2020) — Vice President of Workforce Development & Service Learning
- Former: Mary Wenzel (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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $247K, to Timothy Sears (Chief Operating Officer). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Grid Alternatives
How much does Grid Alternatives give each year?
Grid Alternatives gave $4.7M across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.6M across 19 grants.
What is Grid Alternatives's typical grant size?
Grid Alternatives's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $175,897, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Grid Alternatives give grants?
Grid Alternatives's top state is California, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New Mexico (13%) and Nevada (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Burney, CA (2 grants).
Does Grid Alternatives give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on Grid Alternatives's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Solar Project" (27 grants).
Who are Grid Alternatives's largest grantees?
Grid Alternatives's largest 2024 grantees include Pine Point Microgrid ($250,000), Toiyabe Indian Health Project Inc ($250,000) and Bad River Tribe ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grid Alternatives?
Grid Alternatives reported $63.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $46.9M.
What does Grid Alternatives fund?
GRID Alternatives’ mission is to build community-powered solutions that advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grid Alternatives?
Grid Alternatives has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gridalternatives.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Grid Alternatives's EIN?
Grid Alternatives's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0043353. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 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 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Grid Alternatives funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grid Alternatives's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
American Indian Higher Education Consortium Inc
Alexandria, VA
AIHEC funds Tribal Colleges and Universities and related organizations for Indigenous higher education, student success, institutional capacity, Native language preservation, and research. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $47,600 and supported recipients across the United States, with the largest shares going to New Mexico, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
Assets
$34.5M
Grants
37
Total Given
$4.0M
American Indian College Fund
Denver, CO
The American Indian College Fund supports scholarships and programs for American Indian and Alaska Native students and provides operational, program, and capacity-building support to tribal colleges and universities. Its 2025 organizational grants ranged from $25,547 to $634,551, with a median of $382,754, and supported colleges across the country. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$215.1M
Grants
38
Total Given
$13.9M
Achieving the Dream Inc
Silver Spring, MD
Achieving the Dream funds community colleges and college-related organizations for institutional transformation and student-success work, including implementation grants. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,500 to $120,000, with a median of $25,000, and went to recipients across multiple states and Washington, DC; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$46.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$363K
Helen Gough Fdn Trust
Eagan, MN
The Helen Gough Foundation Trust funds scholarships, primarily for enrolled members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota’s Fort Berthold Reservation, with most 2025 grant dollars going to North Dakota institutions. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $74,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing describes an application process through local school counselors and lists Martha Hunter as the contact.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
31
Total Given
$450K
Sovereign Equity Fund
Bismark, ND
To advance Native food security to strengthen Tribal sovereignty through advancements in agricultural infrastructure by utilizing transformative mission investment strategies.
Assets
$5.1M
Grants
7
Total Given
$680K
Honnold Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
Funding solar energy solutions, building capacity, and amplifying local leadership for those experiencing the greatest impacts from climate change, economic instability, and social injustice.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
12
Total Given
$645K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grid Alternatives funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grid-alternatives-morg_91ef1755770049bcb326c04725843c40
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260043353_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grid Alternatives funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grid-alternatives-morg_91ef1755770049bcb326c04725843c40},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Grid Alternatives'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.
Grid Alternatives down — hundreds of funders to go?