GRID Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the nation's largest nonprofit installer of clean energy technologies. Based in Oakland, California, the organization advances economic and environmental justice by implementing community-driven renewable energy solutions and providing accessible solar projects for low-income households and communities. GRID operates eight affiliate offices serving California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, while also working with the Tribal-led affiliate Tribal Energy Alternatives and maintaining an international program.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$63.5M
+0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.7M
+85.6% YoY
Grant Count
27
+42.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$176K
+30.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: GRID Alternatives envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. The organization's mission is to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.
Primary Focus Areas:
- No-cost solar installations for households qualifying as low-income
- Hands-on solar training to connect people to clean energy jobs
- Technical assistance and solar installation for multifamily affordable housing providers
- Community and shared solar project development and implementation
- Low-income solar policy leadership and program design
- Clean mobility and battery storage incentive programs
- International energy access work in off-grid communities
Ready to take the next step with Grid Alternatives?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GRID Alternatives operates across multiple regions:
Domestic: California (Bay Area, Central Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, North Valley, and North Coast), Colorado, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. The organization also works with tribal communities nationwide.
International: Nicaragua, Nepal, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Revenue: $46,882,198
- Total Expenses: $45,057,997
- Total Assets: $63,533,054
- Total Liabilities: $28,700,000
- Number of Employees: 246
Organization Status: Tax-exempt since May 2014 (EIN: 26-0043353)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $63,533,054 | $63,289,155 | $33,326,272 |
| Revenue | $46,882,198 | $63,276,169 | $23,149,824 |
| Expenses | $45,057,997 | $37,598,598 | $33,998,773 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $638,558 | $46,026 | $-87,577 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
91 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Grid Alternatives
Tribal Energy Plan Grant
GRID ALTERNATIVES
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Tribal Facility and Residential Project Grant Program
GRID ALTERNATIVES
Amount
Up to US $200,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Tribal Solar Gap Grant Program
GRID ALTERNATIVES
Amount
Up to US $250,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pine Point Microgrid ($250,000), Toiyabe Indian Health Project Inc ($250,000), Bad River Tribe ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAD RIVER TRIBE ODANAH, WI | SOLAR PROJECT | $200,000 |
| CHEMEHUEVI INDIAN TRIBE HAVASU LAKE, CA | SOLAR PROJECT | $125,662 |
| CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE RADIO EAGLE BUTTE, SD | SOLAR PROJECT | $200,000 |
| CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION NESPELEM, WA | SOLAR PROJECT | $199,866 |
| DRY CREEK RANCHERIA GEYERVILLE, CA | SOLAR PROJECT | $200,000 |
| GUIDIVILLE RANCHERIA OF CALIFORNIA TALMAGE, CA | SOLAR PROJECT | $200,000 |
| HOPLAND BAND OF POMO INDIANS HOPLAND, CA | SOLAR PROJECT | $199,920 |
| HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CHEYENNE & ARAPAHO TRIBES CLINTON, OK | SOLAR PROJECT | $195,680 |
| HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA HUGO, OK | SOLAR PROJECT | $200,000 |
| MARY ERICKSON COMMUNITY HOUSING DANA POINT, CA | SOLAR PROJECT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Erica Mackie, P.E. – Co-Founder and CEO
- Tim Sears, P.E. – Co-Founder and CEO
The organization was founded in 2001 during the California energy crisis by Mackie and Sears, two engineering professionals who previously implemented large-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for the private sector.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEN PASSER | PRESIDENT (THRU 07/24) | 1 | — |
| PILAR THOMAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NOLAN HIGHBAUGH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| HINA BALOCH | DIRECTOR (THRU 03/24) | 1 | — |
| MELICIA CHARLES | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| PHYLLIS CURRIE | VICE CHAIR (AS OF 07/24) | 1 | — |
| TODD RAHN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIANA PINO | DIRECTOR (AS OF 05/24) | 1 | — |
| COLLETTE BROWN-RODRIGUEZ | DIRECTOR (AS OF 07/24) | 1 | — |
| PETE UPTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERICA MACKIE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 32 | $202,881 |
| TIMOTHY SEARS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $247,045 |
| HECTOR PENA | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (THRU 11/24) | 40 | $169,307 |
| ADEWALE OGUNBADEJO | VP, WORKFORCE DEV | 40 | $153,143 |
| ANHDAI TRAN | VP OF REGIONS | 40 | $196,900 |
| CHRISTIAN WEAVER | VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $181,972 |
| CHRISTOPHER WALKER | VP OF POLICY AND PROGRAMS | 40 | $187,667 |
| ERIKA HUBBARD | SR. DIR., GOVT STRATEGY AND DEV | 40 | $156,443 |
| LUKASZ WOJTASZEK | PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $160,038 |
| SHAMIR CHAUHAN | DIRECTOR - COMMERCIAL BUSINESS DEV | 40 | $162,299 |
| STEVEN FERNANDEZ | VP OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $147,351 |
| TAMARA CRAYTON | CONTROLLER | 40 | $143,383 |
Contact Information
Headquarters: 1171 Ocean Avenue, Suite 200 Oakland, CA 94608 Phone: (510) 731-1310 Fax: (510) 225-2585 Email: info@gridalternatives.org
Client Services:
- Service calls or system problems: 866-921-4696 | service@gridalternatives.org
- Solar qualification inquiries: 866-921-4696 | qualify@gridalternatives.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grid Alternatives fund?
**Mission:** GRID Alternatives envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. The organization's mission is to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. **Primary Focus Areas:** • No-cost solar installations for households qualifying as low-income • Hands-on solar training to connect people to clean energy jobs • Technical assistance and solar installation for multifamily affo…
Where does Grid Alternatives make grants?
GRID Alternatives operates across multiple regions: **Domestic:** California (Bay Area, Central Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, North Valley, and North Coast), Colorado, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. The organization also works with tribal communities nationwide. **International:** Nicaragua, Nepal, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
What size grants does Grid Alternatives award?
In 2024, Grid Alternatives awarded 27 grants totaling $4.7M — an average of about $176K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grid Alternatives's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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