2024-11-07T14:45:58-08:00 2024-06-30 200570323 Nelson & Associates CPAs 2230 Longport Ct Ste 110 Elk Grove CA 95758 990 2023-07-01 680153141 Solar Cookers International Inc SOLA 9164554499 2400 22nd Street 210 Sacramento CA 95818 Caitlyn Hughes Executive Dir. 2024-11-07 true true Michelle Nelson CPA CFE MST P00453363 9162996800 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z Caitlyn Hughes 2400 22nd Street 210 Sacramento CA 95818 1087289 false X www.solarcookers.org X 1988 CA The mission of Solar Cookers International (SCI) is to improve human health, economic well-being, womens empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide.Solar Cookers International (SCI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to improve human and environmental health by promoting climate friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide. For more detail, see Schedule O. 12 12 10 47 0 915959 1011435 14941 3048 38966 70525 0 969866 1085008 34327 44710 0 619851 627478 0 147159 204599 219271 858777 891459 111089 193549 2205109 2416652 74533 53079 2130576 2363573 The mission of Solar Cookers International (SCI) is to improve human health, economic well-being, womens empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide. For more detail, see Schedule O. false false 715091 Solar Cookers International (SCI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to improve human health, economic well-being, womens empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking solutions for vulnerable populations worldwide.Currently, around 2.1 billion people, or one in four, still rely mainly on burning polluting fuels for cooking. This practice has severe environmental repercussions and negatively affects human health. Women and girls bear the brunt of these impacts as they often undertake the majority of cooking duties in many regions. As environmental crises become more frequent and geopolitical conflicts exacerbate resource scarcity, the need for clean cooking solutions like solar cooking becomes increasingly urgent.SCI addresses the urgent need for clean cooking solutions using a three-pronged approach: advocacy, research, and strengthening the capacity of the global solar cooking movement. SCI uses data to inform and strengthen activities at all levels from local communities to international platforms. As a sector leader, SCI amplifies global voices by advocating for sustainable cooking solutions at the United Nations and other high-level forums.SCIs long-term strategy leverages its extensive experience in implementing best-practice, ground-level projects and its leadership position in the sector to focus on scaling up solar cooking initiatives. This approach aims to usher in policies, practices, and resources that significantly accelerate the impact of solar cooking solutions.ADVOCACY:SCI advocates with global leaders to ensure solar cooking is recognized as a viable and appropriate solution for achieving climate and health goals. Additionally, SCI cultivates collaborations to advance its mission of increasing awareness, recognition and use of solar cooking.SCI implemented the following advocacy activities in fiscal year 2023-24:Advocated for solar cooking at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai by engaging government leaders, and emphasizing the inclusion of solar cooking in their climate change mitigation and adaptation plans. SCI hosted three side events at the Cryosphere Pavilion, Women and Gender Pavilion, and with the Global Warming Mitigation Project. SCI was a principal participant in four partner events and held four press conferences. Additionally, SCI hosted an exhibit booth for three days, demonstrating how solar cookers work and making hundreds of new contacts. Participation in COP provided a platform to discuss ideas with key stakeholders, expand the solar cooking network, elevate voices globally, raise awareness, and establish connections that lead to future implementation opportunities.Hosted a virtual side event for the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), showcasing the benefits of solar cooking and its positive influence on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Featured voices from international bodies such as the Green Climate Fund and Sustainable Energy for All, as well as local implementing collaborator, Eco Impact Hub CBO (Community Based Organization), and educational institution, Institut Suprieur des Techniques Appliques (I.S.T.A.)." SCI also hosted an in-person exhibition throughout the 8-day forum.Hosted a virtual webinar for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) featuring guest speakers from Kenya, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic who illustrated the impact cooking with polluting fuels has on women and girls.Participated in Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya, a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to focus on climate solutions, share lessons learned, and discuss barriers and opportunities. The regional focus and prioritization of clean cooking helped enable SCI to meet with various stakeholders to discuss collaboration opportunities and pipeline strategies.Participated in the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) Solar World Congress in India, organized a side event with two SCI Global Advisors as guest speakers, presented a poster about calculating solar cooker efficiency, and submitted a manuscript about solar cooking efficiency to the Journal: Solar Energy Advances (SEA).Contributed information, delivered presentations, or was referenced about solar cooking in high impact forums and communication pieces, including the Washington Post, REN 21 Renewable Energy and Sustainability Report, Solar Today, American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Solar Conference, the All India Womens Conference, ConSolFood, Federation of American Womens Clubs Overseas (FAWCO), and the NYC Green School Conference.Produced and published communication materials -including newsletters, presentations, and appeals- designed to inform and advocate for solar cooking worldwide. Notably, SCI collaborated with TEALEAVES to develop, film, and produce a short, professional video about solar cooking in Kakuma Refugee Camp.Attended the Summit for Clean Cooking in Africa, hosted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the largest ever high-level event focused solely on clean cooking. Endorsed both the IEAs Clean Cooking Declaration and the Clean Cooking Alliances (CCA) Principles of Responsible Carbon Finance.STRENGTHENING CAPACITY:SCI seeks to maximize its impact by prioritizing high-impact strategies that bolster the overall sector. SCI collaborates with partners to develop programming models and implement projects with significant potential for scaling, integrating best practices such as data collection and needs assessments. Additionally, SCI developed and maintains a comprehensive catalog of educational resources, which SCI shares free of charge, while also providing platforms for others to share knowledge and network.SCI implemented the following capacity building activities in fiscal year 2023-24:Developed a new programming model by leveraging the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) pathway for technical assistance. By collaborating with CTCN to gain network membership and supporting National Designated Entities (NDEs),SCI has secured two pilot projects in Mali and the Central African Republic. These projects will be implemented in the year to come in partnership with both national governments and local organizations. The projects' objectives and deliverables have already been outlined and include conducting feasibility studies, gender assessments, market analyses, carbon credit evaluations, fostering youth champions, and creating scaling roadmaps. These initiatives not only pave the way for future CTCN opportunities in other countries but also represent a significant milestone in advancing solar cooking initiatives, offering evidence of impact and business potential to attract large-scale investments.Continued to collaborate with Kenyan implementer Eco Impact Hub CBO to construct and distribute solar box oven cookers and train Kakuma Refugee Camp residents. This flagship project employs best practices including a thorough needs assessment, local manufacturing, training, impact surveys, cultural accommodation, and empowering participants to become advocates. The 2023-2024 project cycle saw 106 participants receive cookers and training, bringing the recent total to 400 cookers and approximately 3,120 people empowered.Completed final phase of programming with the Foundation for Sustainable Technologies (FoST), extending access to solar cooking technology to as many as 466 people living in fragile communities in Nepal.Maintained and updated the Solar Cooking Wiki, www.solarcooking.org, the worlds largest online database of solar cooking information with over 1,700 pages of information from 142 countries around the globe and automatically translatable into over 35 different languages.Participated in relevant sector webinars, working groups, surveys, and other collaboration and information-sharing opportunities including the Interaction Climate Advocacy Working Group, REN21 Steering Committee meeting, Columbia University Sustainable Futures Survey, United Nations First Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, and the USAID Local Capacity Strengthening Forum.Consistently received the highest rating from charity rating organizations including Charity Navigator, GuideStar/Candid, and the Better Business Bureau.See continuation of program service accomplishments at Federal Supplemental Information. 715091 true true false false false false false false false true true false false false false true true false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 4 0 true 10 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 12 12 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false CA X X X Caitlyn Hughes 9164554499 2400 22nd Street 210 Sacramento CA 95818 Caitlyn Hughes Executive Dir. 50.00 0.00 X 73511 0 9104 Shishpal Rawat PhD President 4.50 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Ruth Holton-Hodson Vice President 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Mike Paparian Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 tim donnelly Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Arun Raman Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Dr Peg Barratt Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Morgan Stonefelt MPH Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kira Simon Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Fishman Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Nathan Schumacher Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Peter W Turnbull Secretary 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Emily Bacchini Treasurer 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 73511 9104 0 false false false 0 1957 1009478 1011435 Association Memberships 760 760 Consultation Revenue 1000 1000 cookit sales 1288 1288 3048 72806 72806 0 0 0 2281 -2281 -2281 -2281 0 0 0 0 1085008 3048 70525 0 0 44710 44710 0 82615 76006 3305 3304 0 446724 361156 12187 73381 0 61646 49698 1928 10020 36493 29600 659 6234 0 0 28167 23504 1345 3318 0 0 0 43956 27752 789 15415 0 1776 1589 19 168 0 0 14483 12311 434 1738 77 65 2 10 0 0 0 0 825 701 25 99 6954 5755 249 950 Publication costs 61296 36255 25041 Program Expenses 23003 23003 bank charges 14731 6731 7725 275 Supplies 13962 7548 268 6146 10041 8707 274 1060 891459 715091 29209 147159 619892 373825 16318 16320 1300 0 0 0 0 1528 945 28489 28570 33566 28752 3969 4814 1489866 1943343 0 0 0 45047 47535 2205109 2416652 74533 53079 74533 53079 X 2051200 2252980 79376 110593 2130576 2363573 2205109 2416652 193549 39448 X false true X true false X 661883 959781 1129406 1002828 1011435 4765333 0 0 661883 959781 1129406 1002828 1011435 4765333 0 4765333 24602 11370 13927 22873 72806 145578 0 0 4910911 0.97040 0.98010 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 77694 9332 1860 471 84695 73925 5962 1760 433 77694 85605 9536 1640 505 92996 68087 19576 1600 458 85605 69784 -1697 68087 true false false 33566 28752 4814 4814 X 1129399 39448 4943 44391 1085008 1085008 896402 4943 4943 891459 891459 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. To support the future charitable goals of solar cookers international. Part X : FIN48 Footnote Pursuant to a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, the Council is exempt from Federal and State income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code and Section 23701(d) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been made.SCI has accounted for Uncertainty of income taxes as required by the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. SCI uses a comprehensive model for recognizing, and measuring, presenting and disclosing in the financial statement tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the "More likely than not" test, no tax benefit is recorded. The effect of applying this model and the resulting identification of uncertain tax positions, if any, were not considered significant for financial reporting purposes. true Kenya 0 0 Grants to Recipients in Region 43710 Nepal 0 0 Grants to Recipients in Region 1000 44710 44710 Kenya See Sch O 43710 wire Nepal See Sch O 1000 wire 2 false false false false false false Part I, Line 2 - Grantmakers Explanation For Monitoring Use of Funds Outside US Grantees provide a detailed budget before project approval and start. Funds are distributed in increments, dependent on completion of pre-agreed upon program activities. Grantees provide a full report on how funds were used. SCI only offers grants to trusted, recommended, established collaborators. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The draft copy of form 990 is provided to all directors to review prior to filing. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The process is monitored by the executive director in consultation with the board president. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a The board of directors determines compensation for the executive director under the advisement from the compensation review conducted by the internal affairs committee. Other employees compensation is determined by recommendation of the executive director based on US regional average compensation scales and comparability with the organization size and scope of the program. It is reviewed by the entire board as part of the annual budget approval process. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 Available upon request or via the organizations website at www.solarcookers.org Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 SCIs financial statements are available on its website www.solarcookers.org. SCIs governing documents and conflict of interest policy are available upon request. Statement Note 1 CONTINUATION OF SCHEDULE O:RESEARCH:SCI is dedicated to building a robust evidence base demonstrating the effectiveness of solar cooking and enabling project impact to be maximized. SCI promotes the Solar Cooker Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) as a testing process for measuring a solar cooker's cooking power in Watts and efficiency. This process provides objective data for manufacturers and buyers, using the internationally recognized ISO (International Organizations for Standardization) standards for clean cookstoves and clean cooking solutions and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers ASAE S580.1 protocol for Testing and Reporting Solar Cooker Performance. The results offer reliable evaluations of various solar cooking technologies for customers, project leaders, advocates, and United Nations agencies. Additionally, SCI conducts research on solar cooker distribution and country policies to identify regions with high potential for scalable solar cooking initiatives.SCI conducted the following research efforts in the fiscal year 2023/24:Compiled data to update the SCI Global Distribution Map of Solar Cookers. This map reflects both the number of known solar cookers around the globe and their estimated impacts.Updated SCIs Solar Cooking Economic Impact summaries which estimate the environmental and health costs of cooking with polluting fuels and the potential savings by switching to solar cooking. The summaries are used as a tool to encourage more investment in solar cooking as a solution.Identified high-priority countries to target for solar cooking initiatives by assessing their need and interest through policy documents including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Produced an updated, user-friendly report summarizing NDC findings and suggestions.Conducted research and authored a paper, Testing solar cookers for cooking efficiency highlighting a method of measuring cooking efficiency of solar thermal cookers, adding a metric to the current performance evaluation methods. The paper was peer-reviewed and published in the open-access scientific journal Solar Energy Advances.Participated in technical committees and meetings hosted by professional organizations including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and served as an observer at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and submitted recommendations during the review process of the ASAE S580.1 protocol.Facilitated Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) testing for another solar cooker design.