Metropolitan Energy Center Inc
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc. is a Kansas City, Missouri-based Form 990 (a public charity) focused on energy efficiency, cleaner transportation, and environmental health. The organization says it has worked since 1983 to make alternative fuels and energy efficiency more commonplace through resources, outreach, and training.
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc at a glance
In short: Metropolitan Energy Center Inc gave $1.5M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $136K), mostly in Georgia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,501,330
- -50.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -8.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $136,485
- -46.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $94,999
- Total assets
- $1,536,814
- +48.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Georgia (59% 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 Metropolitan Energy Center Inc
- How to Apply
-
For the 2026 clean-diesel opportunity, applicants submit an application under the Clean Diesel Replacement Funding Request for Applications.
- Review Cycle
- The published deadline for Round 3 is October 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CDT.
- Deadline
- The published deadline for Round 3 is October 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 300 E 39Th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: (816) 531-7283
Website: https://metroenergy.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Metropolitan Energy Center Inc
Who Metropolitan Energy Center Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lazer Spot Inc ($446K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 40 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated mission covers the Kansas City region and beyond. Its website describes building-performance and sustainable-transportation projects across Kansas and Missouri. In the 2024 filing, grant dollars were distributed to recipients in Georgia (59%), Missouri (25%), Kansas (9%), Iowa (6%), and Pennsylvania (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How Metropolitan Energy Center Inc gives
- Giving grew 127% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $375K (2020) to $3.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lazer Spot Inc Atlanta, GA | Grant support defrayed purchase cost of electricity-powered terminal trucks and charging stations, which enhance public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions related to transportation | $446,093 |
| UPS Atlanta, GA | Grant support defrayed purchase cost of CNG powered Class 8 and Class 5 freight trucks, which enhance public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions related to transportation, both at the distribution yard and in neighborhoods | $435,636 |
| Grain Valley R-5 School District Grain Valley, MO | Grant support defrayed purchase cost of propane-powered buses, which enhance public good by reducing greenhouse gases, and other emissions related to transportation, within school yards and in neighborhoods. | $143,984 |
| Water One Lenexa, KS | Recipient of funds to defray costs of electric-powered work vehicles for zero-emission operations. Enhance public good by reducing greenhouses gases and other emissions related to transporation. | $103,838 |
| Evergy Metro Kansas City, MO | Cost-shared grant subaward defrayed installation costs of electric charging stations, which enhance public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions related to transportation | $102,241 |
| Tucker Equipment Inc Dubuque, IA | Recipient of grant funds to defray cost of electric-powered terminal truck for zero-emission distribution center operations. Enhances public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions relations to transportation. | $94,999 |
| Sun Solar Houston, MO | Contractual vendor provided engineering, construction management and installation of solar photovoltaic systems on income-eligible homes under Kansas City's Share the Sun program. Enhances public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions related to power generation and use. | $79,773 |
| Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KS | Subaward:Grant support defrayed purchase cost of electricity-powered vehicles and charging stations, which enhance public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions related to transportation | $32,443 |
| Hathmore Technologies LLC Kansas City, MO | Subaward supports training delivery to developers, engineers, construction professionals and code officials for the latest building energy codes. Enhances public good by reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions related to energy use by commercial and residential buildings | $31,606 |
| Jerusalem Farm Kansas City, MO | Grant supported outreach to underserved populations within Jerusalem Farm's community and geographic scope of influence. Outreach generated interest and siting preferences for EV charging stations within the community. | $20,275 |
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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 | $1,536,814 | $2,925,000 | $3,090,427 | $1,501,330 | 11 | $8,032 |
| 2023 | $1,036,267 | $4,721,627 | $4,331,127 | $3,056,991 | 12 | $4,918 |
| 2022 | $782,681 | $2,327,232 | $2,334,302 | $1,373,719 | 9 | $634 |
| 2021 | $1,429,840 | $2,345,317 | $2,221,971 | $662,353 | 5 | $485 |
| 2020 | $977,548 | $2,026,129 | $2,057,257 | $375,090 | 3 | $1,832 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to empower the heartland to achieve sustainable energy use and cleaner air by providing resources, outreach, and training for energy efficiency and alternative fuels.
Its 2024 program descriptions cover sustainable transportation, building performance, and renewable energy. Transportation activities include technical and funding assistance to fleets, public information, and work with policymakers. Building-performance work includes education, resource matchmaking, and technical assistance for municipal officials, homeowners and renters, commercial property managers, and government agencies. The renewable-energy activity described in the filing supported solar installations for low-income-qualified homeowners through pass-through donor funds.
The 2024 grant list shows support for vehicle and charging projects, building-code training, community outreach about EV charging, transportation-electrification research, and solar installation work. Among the supported organizations, Johnson County Community College Foundation describes its mission as expanding student access and advancing community leadership, business partnerships, and financial support. Jerusalem Farm describes itself as a Kansas City intentional community focused on housing justice, workforce development, and sustainability.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 11 grants totaling $1,501,330. Grant amounts ranged from $10,442 to $446,093, with a median of $94,999.
The largest listed awards were $446,093 to Lazer Spot Inc. for electric terminal trucks and charging stations, and $435,636 to UPS for CNG freight trucks. Other listed awards included $143,984 to Grain Valley R-5 School District for propane-powered buses, $103,838 to Water One for electric work vehicles, and $102,241 to Evergy Metro for electric charging stations. The filing also lists $32,443 to Johnson County Community College for electric vehicles and charging stations and $20,275 to Jerusalem Farm for outreach on EV charging station locations.
The organization’s procurement page lists clean-diesel replacement funding for 2026. Its funding page describes a rolling application process for eligible fleet applicants, with support of up to 50% of vehicle replacement costs for cleaner technologies including electric, CNG, and LPG vehicles. The page identifies municipalities, businesses, port authorities and rail operators, freight lines and freight-yard operators, school districts, and utilities as intended applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kelly Gilbert as Executive Director; Rick Maniktala as President; Eslun Tucker as Vice President; Brian Parker as Secretary; and Jared Williams as Treasurer. It also lists Melissa Robinson, Kim Ansari, Christian Zirbel, Gerald Shechter, and Manny Abarca IV as board members.
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc is led by Kelly Gilbert, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kelly Gilbert
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$61K (2020) → $70K (2024)
Rick Maniktala
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eslun Tucker
Vice President
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Parker
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Robinson
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gerald Shechter
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jared Williams
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christian Zirbel
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Ansari
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Manny Abarca IV
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Saxton
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Greg Goss (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Karen Clawson (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Rui Xu (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Anne Melia (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Pinkowski (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Logan Heley (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Dan Williams (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Tree (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Samuel Scupham (2020) — Board Member
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 $70K, to Kelly Gilbert (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Metropolitan Energy Center Inc
How much does Metropolitan Energy Center Inc give each year?
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc gave $1.5M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.1M across 12 grants.
What is Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's typical grant size?
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's median grant in 2024 was $94,999, and its average grant was $136,485, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Metropolitan Energy Center Inc give grants?
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Missouri (25%) and Kansas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (3 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Does Metropolitan Energy Center Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's largest grantees?
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Lazer Spot Inc ($446,093), UPS ($435,636) and Grain Valley R-5 School District ($143,984), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Metropolitan Energy Center Inc?
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
What does Metropolitan Energy Center Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to empower the heartland to achieve sustainable energy use and cleaner air by providing resources, outreach, and training for energy efficiency and alternative fuels. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Metropolitan Energy Center Inc?
For the 2026 clean-diesel opportunity, applicants submit an application under the Clean Diesel Replacement Funding Request for Applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's EIN?
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1297891. 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 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 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 November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Metropolitan Energy Center Inc funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Metropolitan Energy Center Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Metropolitan Energy Center Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/metropolitan-energy-center-inc-morg_64b358361e0047f1af78bc89f5cf8e8c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431297891_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Metropolitan Energy Center Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/metropolitan-energy-center-inc-morg_64b358361e0047f1af78bc89f5cf8e8c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Metropolitan Energy Center Inc'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.
Metropolitan Energy Center Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?