BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY CATALYST FOUNDATION

Cite this

Plain text BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY CATALYST FOUNDATION. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2024. https://furp.org/org/breakthrough-energy-catalyst-foundation-853677542. Retrieved 2026-10-27.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY CATALYST FOUNDATION [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2024]. Retrieved October 27, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/breakthrough-energy-catalyst-foundation-853677542

MLA “BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY CATALYST FOUNDATION.” furp.org, tax years 2020–2024, https://furp.org/org/breakthrough-energy-catalyst-foundation-853677542. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-27; covers tax years 2020–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $12.4M · expenses $40.9M · assets $380.6M

EIN
85-3677542
Address
PO BOX 563, KIRKLAND, WA 98083-0563
Website
HTTPS://WWW.BREAKTHROUGHENERGY.ORG
NTEE code
C35
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
May 2021 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY CATALYST FOUNDATION FUNDS THE CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION PHASES OF NEW EMISSIONS-REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP TRANSFORM RESEARCH-STAGE INNOVATION INTO REAL-WORLD IMPACT, PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT AND MEASURABLE REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

None of the 8 people listed on these returns reported compensation from the organization. They are listed below.

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

8 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Rodi Guidero EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR2022-2024 2 $0 reported 3
Greg Nelson DIRECTOR2020-2024 2 $0 reported 3
Cindy Leeper SECRETARY, TREASURER & COO2020-2024 8 $0 reported 3
Jeannine Sargent DIRECTOR2023-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Rich Hossfeld DIRECTOR2023-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Mario Fernandez VICE PRESIDENT2023-2024 20 $0 reported 1
Michael Boots (former) EVP2020-2023 1 $0 reported 3
Jonah Goldman (former) MANAGING DIRECTOR -THRU 5/222020-2022 15 $0 reported 3

People by year

2024 · 6 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
GREG NELSON DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $03
JEANNINE SARGENT DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
RICH HOSSFELD DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
CINDY LEEPER SECRETARY, TREASURER & COO8 $0$0$0 $03
MARIO FERNANDEZ VICE PRESIDENT20 $0$0$0 $01
RODI GUIDERO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $03
2023 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
GREG NELSON DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $03
JEANNINE SARGENT DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
RICH HOSSFELD DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
CINDY LEEPER SECRETARY, TREASURER & COO8 $0$0$0 $03
MARIO FERNANDEZ VICE PRESIDENT20 $0$0$0 $01
MICHAEL BOOTS EVP1 $0$0$0 $03
RODI GUIDERO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $03
2022 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JONAH GOLDMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR -THRU 5/2215 $0$0$0 $03
RODI GUIDERO MANAGING DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $03
GREG NELSON DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $03
CINDY LEEPER SECRETARY & TREASURER8 $0$0$0 $03
MICHAEL BOOTS EVP1 $0$0$0 $03
2021 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JONAH GOLDMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR15 $0$0$0 $03
GREG NELSON DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $03
CINDY LEEPER SECRETARY & TREASURER15 $0$0$0 $03
MICHAEL BOOTS EVP1 $0$0$0 $03
2020 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JONAH GOLDMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR15 $0$0$0 $03
GREG NELSON DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $03
MICHAEL BOOTS Secretary thru 2/17/21, EVP1 $0$0$0 $03
Cindy Leeper Secretary & Treasurer15 $0$0$0 $03

Highest-paid independent contractors

2024 · 5 contractors · $1.5M
NameLocationServicePaid
Hogan Lovells US LLPBaltimore, MDLEGAL SERVICES$738,916
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPNew York, NYLEGAL SERVICES$235,365
Stikeman Elliott LLPToronto, OntarioLEGAL SERVICES$177,466
Ramboll Danmark ASCopenhagen SCONSULTING - DUE DILIGENCE$169,644
HKA GLOBAL LTDWarringtonCONSULTING - DUE DILIGENCE$137,650
2023 · 3 contractors · $3.6M
NameLocationServicePaid
Rhodium Group LLCNew York, NYResearch Provider$2,400,000
Ropes & Gray LLPBoston, MALegal services$901,624
Hogan Lovells US LLPBaltimore, MDLegal services$309,385
2022 · 5 contractors · $4.5M
NameLocationServicePaid
Ropes & Gray LLPBoston, MALegal services$3,083,724
Rhodium Group LLCNew York, NYResearch Provider$800,000
Hogan Lovells US LLPBaltimore, MDLegal services$268,267
Fluor Enterprise IncAliso Viego, CAConsulting Services$256,100
Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg S RLLuxembourg, LuxembourgLegal services$133,264
2021 · 3 contractors · $1.8M
NameLocationServicePaid
Ropes GrayNEW YORK, NYLEGAL SERVICES$884,072
Agency EACHICAGO, ILMarketing$512,643
Rhodium GroupNEW YORK, NYResearch provider$400,000
2020 · 2 contractors · $527K
NameLocationServicePaid
ERNST YOUNG LLPTax & Advisory Svcs.$387,123
ROPES GRAY LLPNEW YORK, NELEGAL SERVICES$139,644

Who the money went to

Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.

2023 · 1 grant to organizations · $50.0M

Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$12,378,697$40,879,386 $380,609,008$378,176,226 $1,314,532$0 $000
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$8,212,804$53,134,255 $408,064,858$406,676,915 $1,272,558$0 $000
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$358,545,515$3,160,591 $452,252,817$451,598,366 $356,182,326$0 $000
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$34,510,785$2,737,906 $96,543,339$96,213,442 $35,040,324$0 $000
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2021-06-30 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$65,047,000$606,437 $65,047,000$64,440,563 $65,047,000$0 $000

Connected to

Organizations that list some of the same people on their returns (officers, directors, key employees on this organization’s latest return), and related organizations it lists on Schedule R.

Funders of this organization

2 grantors reported grants to this organization, $180,000,000 in all, tax years 2021 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST DAF sponsor Exact 2021-2024 4$120,000,000 2024$30,000,000
show
THE BLACKROCK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY CATALYST FOUNDATION” 2022-2024 3$60,000,000 2024$20,000,000
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
SAGE FOUNDATION INCNDC35 $7,658,825$3,073,378 CHAIRMAN$1,200 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
ENERGY SYSTEMS INTEGRATION GROUP INCVAC35 $6,441,697$6,052,494 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
ENERGY COALITIONCAC35 $20,061,692$20,077,060 President$719,392 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
ENERGY ACTION FUNDCAC35 $24,410,702$30,341,359 EAF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$298,218 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
CALIFORNIAS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCECAC35 $8,147,018$9,156,083 President & Dir$0 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
COALITION FOR GREEN CAPITALDCC35 $24,315,819$24,223,161 SECRETARY/CHIEF ADMIN OFFICER$468,750 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
SOLAR AND ENERGY LOAN FUND OF ST LUCIE COUNTY INCFLC35 $7,334,806$7,310,313 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER$211,500 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL WIND TECHNOLOGY CONSORTIUMNYC35 $7,324,130$7,077,564 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$346,300 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
WESTERN CLIMATE INITIATIVE INCCAC35 $11,112,054$8,033,224 EXEC. DIR.$323,489 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
SOUTHFACE ENERGY INSTITUTE INCGAC35 $8,643,950$8,576,087 PRESIDENT$202,828 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR ECOTECHNOLOGY INCMAC35 $10,772,767$12,351,525 PRESIDENT & CEO$162,887 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS INCDCC35 $6,522,526$5,200,003 PRESIDENT$535,100 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
ALLIANCE FOR TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY INCDCC35 $15,207,137$9,214,018 PRESIDENT & CEO$282,200 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
JUSTICE CLIMATE FUND INCDCC35 $7,971,950$9,106,814 LAUNCH TEAM (THRU 2/28/2025)$256,684 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
GROUNDSWELL INCDCC35 $8,552,781$6,257,011 CHIEF EXECUT$332,835 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORKMIC35 $8,199,394$7,044,862 CEO$319,393 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
EFFICIENCY FORWARD INCMAC35 $6,191,492$7,256,568 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$265,772 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUPDCC35 $16,366,034$19,283,285 CHAIR & PRESIDENT$434,346 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE INCORC35 $11,740,267$9,373,426 CEO$573,714 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
CLEAN ECONOMY PROJECT INCDCC35 $15,254,434$7,447,354 DIRECTOR, INNOVATION INITIATIVE$177,355 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
INSTITUTE FOR MARKET TRANSFORMATION INCDCC35 $6,537,555$8,135,948 CEO$233,597 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY INCMTC35 $10,096,549$9,440,613 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER$187,017 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
GRIDLAB INCCAC35 $11,692,842$11,746,324 Executive Dir.$338,237 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
CALCEF INNOVATIONSCAC35 $13,317,609$12,155,202 Managing Director of CA$224,303 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x
SMART ELECTRIC POWER ALLIANCEDCC35 $19,875,569$15,221,999 President & CEO$608,719 Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
FREEDOM TOGETHER FOUNDATION Private foundation$90,288,85086 112013–2024 ELEVATE ENERGY; SOUTHFACE ENERGY INSTITUTE INC; SOLUTIONS PROJECT INC; GROUNDSWELL INC and 7 more
FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS DAF sponsor$45,918,00023 32015–2024 ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP; SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY; SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS
THE ENERGY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$35,580,04198 272015–2019 ENERGY ACTION FUND; CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK; SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY; SOUTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT LLC and 23 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$22,983,49471 142010–2024 GRID ALTERNATIVES; SOLUTIONS PROJECT INC; ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP; CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK and 10 more
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$21,919,169115 282014–2024 CLASP; INSTITUTE FOR MARKET TRANSFORMATION INC; DEPLOY-US INC; ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP and 24 more
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$20,979,573134 372016–2024 GRID ALTERNATIVES; ALLIANCE FOR TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY INC; DEPLOY-US INC; ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP and 33 more
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC DAF sponsor$20,806,36914 42017–2024 GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR INCINERATOR ALTERNATIVES; SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS; GROUNDSWELL INC; SOLUTIONS PROJECT INC
WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION Private foundation$20,305,15483 172010–2024 CALCEF INNOVATIONS; SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS; COALITION FOR GREEN CAPITAL; ALLIANCE FOR TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY INC and 13 more
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST funds this one DAF sponsor$20,293,30035 102016–2024 GRID ALTERNATIVES; CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TECHNOLOGY; ELEVATE ENERGY; ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP and 6 more
SEQUOIA CLIMATE FOUNDATION Private foundation$18,620,00015 32020–2023 CLASP; ENERGY SYSTEMS INTEGRATION GROUP INC; SOLUTIONS PROJECT INC
The Kendeda Fund Private foundation$14,108,50031 42010–2023 SOUTHFACE ENERGY INSTITUTE INC; GROUNDSWELL INC; SOUTHERN ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY; GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR INCINERATOR ALTERNATIVES
SERGEY BRIN FAMILY FOUNDATION Private foundation$13,750,0004 42024–2024 REWIRING AMERICA INC; SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS; GRIDWORKS ORGANIZATION; GRIDLAB INC
JOHN D & CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION Private foundation$12,002,69351 112010–2024 GROUNDSWELL INC; CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK; CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TECHNOLOGY; CLASP and 7 more
COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES OF GREATER BOSTON INC DAF sponsor$11,259,60024 92017–2024 CE BUYERS INSTITUTE; GRIDLAB INC; CLASP; SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS and 5 more
KRESGE FOUNDATION Private foundation$10,041,00043 72016–2024 INSTITUTE FOR MARKET TRANSFORMATION INC; SOLUTIONS PROJECT INC; ELEVATE ENERGY; GROUNDSWELL INC and 3 more

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $40,879,386 spent · pay $0 · grants $37,803,500 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants outside the US $37,803,500$37,803,500-- 92.5%
Fees: legal $2,184,699$2,164,469$20,230- 5.3%
Fees: other services $755,506$735,218$20,288$0 1.8%
Office expenses $82,165$12,220$69,945- 0.2%
Advertising and promotion $34,200$34,200-- 0.1%
Fees: accounting $18,661-$18,661- 0.0%
Other (as described)BUSINESS LICENSE & REGISTRATION $655-$655- 0.0%
Total$40,879,386100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $53,134,255 spent · pay $0 · grants $50,000,000 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Grants to US organizations and governments $50,000,000$50,000,000-- 94.1%
Fees: other services $2,513,801$2,509,010$4,791$0 4.7%
Fees: legal $483,928$463,453$20,475$0 0.9%
Fees: accounting $87,880$0$87,880$0 0.2%
Office expenses $47,024$0$47,024$0 0.1%
Other (as described)BUSINESS LICENSE & REGISTRATION $1,622$0$1,622$0 0.0%
Total$53,134,255100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $3,160,591 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: legal $1,745,788$1,037,458$708,330- 55.2%
Fees: other services $1,152,350$1,137,350$15,000$0 36.5%
Other (as described)Membership dues $216,320$216,320-- 6.8%
Fees: accounting $40,608-$40,608- 1.3%
Office expenses $5,225-$5,225- 0.2%
Other (as described)BUSINESS LICENSE & REGISTRATION $300-$300- 0.0%
Total$3,160,591100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $2,737,906 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $512,643
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $942,379$826,437$115,942- 34.4%
Fees: legal $745,670$281,036$464,634- 27.2%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $512,643$512,643-- 18.7%
Fees: accounting $226,503$43,383$183,120- 8.3%
Other (as described)MEMBERSHIP DUES $180,729$180,729-- 6.6%
Advertising and promotion $103,733$51,353-$52,380 3.8%
Fees: investment management $26,219-$26,219- 1.0%
Office expenses $30-$30- 0.0%
Total$2,737,906100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $606,437 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: accounting $399,860-$399,860- 65.9%
Fees: legal $139,644$14,555$125,089- 23.0%
Fees: other services $66,933$66,933-- 11.0%
Total$606,437100%

View the filing

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