People's Solar Energy Fund
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.
People's Solar Energy Fund at a glance
In short: People's Solar Energy Fund gave $63K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $63,000
- +425.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +700.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,875
- -34.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $2,595,766
- +64.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (24% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to People's Solar Energy Fund
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from People's Solar Energy Fund
Bridge Loan Program
People's Solar Energy Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CBSC Mini-Grants
People's Solar Energy Fund
Amount
$2,000 - $5,000
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Member Mini-Grants
People's Solar Energy Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who People's Solar Energy Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ashland Solar Cooperative ($10K). Together the top 8 received $63K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 10 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2023) to $80K (2022). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $63K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland Solar Cooperative Ashland, OR | Program Support | $10,000 |
| JC Legal Resources Center Milwaukee, WI | Progam Support | $8,000 |
| Hope Village Revitalization CDC Detroit, MI | Program Support | $8,000 |
| Center for Sustainable Communities Compton, CA | Program Support | $8,000 |
| Indiana Environ Clean Energy Fort Wayne, IN | Program Support | $8,000 |
| Native Sun Community Power Devlpmt Minneapolis, MN | Program Support | $8,000 |
| Village Solutions Foundation Irvine, CA | Progam Support | $7,000 |
| Clevland Owns Clevland, OH | Progam Support | $6,000 |
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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 | $2,595,766 | $1,580,199 | $1,039,554 | $63,000 | 8 | $16,942 |
| 2023 | $1,579,408 | $1,254,539 | $628,965 | $12,000 | 1 | $4,586 |
| 2022 | $934,788 | $754,677 | $676,891 | $80,000 | 1 | $400 |
| 2021 | $829,839 | $260,050 | $257,077 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $904,759 | $827,866 | $73,564 | — | — | — |
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.
Focus Areas
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
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.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work People's Solar Energy Fund funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in People's Solar Energy Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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