People's Solar Energy Fund logo

People's Solar Energy Fund

Public charity · Grantmaker Pittsfield, MA EIN: 84-3011433 Website

People's Solar Energy Fund, inc. Provides non-extractive financing, technical assistance and bulk-purchasing discounted services to build a scalable system of support for community-led and community-owned solar projects. The emphasis is on projects benefiting low- or moderate-income communities and communities of color, contributing to cleaner and more affordable energy, job creation, community asset development, and a more democratized energy system.

Key facts about People's Solar Energy Fund

In short: People's Solar Energy Fund gave $63K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
84-3011433
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$63,000
Grants made (2024)
8
Average grant
$7,875
Median grant
$8,000
Total assets
$2,595,766
Primary geography
California (24% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$2.6M

+64.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$63K

+425.0% YoY

Grant Count

8

+700.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8K

-34.4% YoY

About People's Solar Energy Fund

Based on IRS filings

People's Solar Energy Fund is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Pittsfield, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $63K. Net investment income was $17K.

Open Grants

5 open opportunities from People's Solar Energy Fund

Show all 5 →
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with People's Solar Energy Fund?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.

Cities

AshlandCalabasasClevlandComptonDetroitFlorenceFort WayneIrvineMilwaukeeMinneapolis

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K$80K0 grants2020 0 grants2021 1 grant2022 1 grant2023 8 grants2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2023) to $80K (2022). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $63K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2024

Ashland Solar Cooperative: $10KAshland Solar Cooperative$10KJC Legal Resources Center: $8KJC Legal Resources Center$8KHope Village Revitalization CDC: $8KHope Village RevitalizationCDC$8KCenter for Sustainable Communities: $8KCenter for SustainableCommunities$8KIndiana Environ Clean Energy: $8KIndiana Environ Clean Energy$8KNative Sun Community Power Devlpmt: $8KNative Sun Community PowerDevlpmt$8KVillage Solutions Foundation: $7KVillage Solutions Foundation$7KClevland Owns: $6KClevland Owns$6K

The largest 2024 recipient was Ashland Solar Cooperative ($10K). Together the top 8 received $63K.

Grant Size Distribution

10 grants across all recorded years

9<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 10 (90%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Ashland Solar Cooperative Ashland, ORProgram Support$10,000
JC Legal Resources Center Milwaukee, WIProgam Support$8,000
Hope Village Revitalization CDC Detroit, MIProgram Support$8,000
Center for Sustainable Communities Compton, CAProgram Support$8,000
Indiana Environ Clean Energy Fort Wayne, INProgram Support$8,000
Native Sun Community Power Devlpmt Minneapolis, MNProgram Support$8,000
Village Solutions Foundation Irvine, CAProgam Support$7,000
Clevland Owns Clevland, OHProgam Support$6,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,595,766$1,579,408$934,788
Revenue$1,580,199$1,254,539$754,677
Expenses$1,039,554$628,965$676,891
Net Investment Income$16,942$4,586$400

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 12, 2023)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
  4. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

People's Solar Energy Fund's 2024 filing lists 11 officers; 2 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Millard Owens

    Co-Director

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $146K (2022) → $145K (2024)

  • Timothy Denherder-Thomas

    Director

    Board President → Board Chair, 2021

    Board Chair → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joseph McNeil

    Director

    Director → Clerk, 2022

    Clerk → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mela Miles

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pouya Najamaie

    Director

    Alternate Di → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Shimekia Nichols

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mmakgantsi Mafojane

    Executive Di

    Co-Director → Executive Di, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $130K (2022) → $166K (2024)

  • Crystal Huang

    Treasurer

    Treasurer → Director, 2023

    Director → Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Bettle

    Co-Chair

    Director → Board Chair, 2023

    Board Chair → Co-Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alison Andrews

    Co-Chair

    Director → Secretary, 2023

    Secretary → Co-Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stephanie Johnson

    Secretary

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (10)
  • Former: Denise Abdul-Rahman (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Gopal Dayaneni (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Jim Johnson (2022–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Denise Fairchild (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Loren White (2020–2022) — Former Treasurer
  • Former: Sonia Kikeri (2022) — Alternate Di
  • Former: Yuki Kiddkoro (2022) — Alternate Di
  • Former: Lynn Benander (2020–2021) — COO & Manager
  • Former: Al Weinrub (2021) — Director
  • Former: Gaya Sriskanthan (2021) — 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

Mmakgantsi Mafojane — Executive Di: $166KMmakgantsi MafojaneExecutive Di$166KMillard Owens — Co-Director: $145KMillard OwensCo-Director$145K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $166K, to Mmakgantsi Mafojane (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about People's Solar Energy Fund

How much does People's Solar Energy Fund give each year?

People's Solar Energy Fund gave $63K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $12K across 1 grant.

What is People's Solar Energy Fund's typical grant size?

People's Solar Energy Fund's median grant in 2024 was $8,000, and its average grant was $7,875, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does People's Solar Energy Fund give grants?

People's Solar Energy Fund's top state is California, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oregon (16%) and Wisconsin (13%).

Does People's Solar Energy Fund give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on People's Solar Energy Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (5 grants) and "Progam Support" (3 grants).

Who are People's Solar Energy Fund's largest grantees?

People's Solar Energy Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Ashland Solar Cooperative ($10,000), JC Legal Resources Center ($8,000) and Hope Village Revitalization CDC ($8,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is People's Solar Energy Fund?

People's Solar Energy Fund reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.

What is People's Solar Energy Fund?

People's Solar Energy Fund is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Pittsfield, MA. It holds $2.6M in total assets as of 2024.

What is People's Solar Energy Fund's EIN?

People's Solar Energy Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3011433. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching People's Solar Energy Fund by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in People's Solar Energy Fund's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Massachusetts

Boston Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$2.1B

Grants

2,375

Total Given

$228.4M

Barr Foundation

Boston, MA

The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.

Assets

$1.9B

Grants

903

Total Given

$123.2M

Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

706

Total Given

$50.6M

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)

Woburn, MA

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$258.2M

Grants

658

Total Given

$38.2M

American Tower Corporation Foundation

Boston, MA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$15.4M

Grants

632

Total Given

$1.7M

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund Inc

Boston, MA

The fund awards need- and merit-based scholarships to full-time students pursuing bachelor’s degrees who permanently reside in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont; recipients may attend college anywhere in the United States. Awards generally range from $3,000 to $17,000, with typical annual awards of $6,000 to $10,000. It accepts applications through an online student portal; the profile does not describe other unsolicited requests.

Education

Assets

$41.6M

Grants

520

Total Given

$5.1M

Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc

Pittsfield, MA

The foundation supports nonprofits working in small business, financial inclusion, housing, health and wellness, food insecurity, youth development, and arts and culture across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $33,333, with a median of $2,500. It accepts written applications from eligible 501(c)(3) public charities and lists quarterly deadlines.

Assets

$17.1M

Grants

478

Total Given

$2.0M

Eastern Bank Foundation

Wakefield, MA

Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Assets

$266.7M

Grants

1,786

Total Given

$19.0M

Good Sports Inc

Braintree, MA

Good Sports provides free sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to established schools and community organizations running ongoing youth sports and physical-activity programs in high-need communities; it serves all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,004 to $229,133, with a median of $12,781. Youth programs and schools can apply through its community-organization application process.

Assets

$13.8M

Grants

619

Total Given

$11.2M

Givinga Foundation Inc

Wellesley, MA

GIVINGA Foundation supports donor-directed giving through donor-advised funds, charitable campaigns, and approved fiscal-sponsorship projects, with past recipients spanning causes such as children’s health, global development, racial equity, animal welfare, and food access. Reported 2020 awards ranged from about $37,000 to $179,000, but filings list no grants for 2022–2024; it has no stated geographic focus. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.9M

Grants

424

Total Given

$8.5M

Highland Street Connection

Newton, MA

Highland Street Foundation funds programs supporting children and families, including education, youth mentoring, housing, health care, the environment, and the arts, primarily in Massachusetts, with some support in California and elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $400 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a letter of inquiry after completing its online eligibility quiz.

Assets

$60.4M

Grants

410

Total Given

$4.4M

More Funders in Massachusetts

People's Solar Energy Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?