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Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rodi Guidero | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2022-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Greg Nelson | DIRECTOR | 2020-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Cindy Leeper | SECRETARY, TREASURER & COO | 2020-2024 | 8 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Jeannine Sargent | DIRECTOR | 2023-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Rich Hossfeld | DIRECTOR | 2023-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mario Fernandez | VICE PRESIDENT | 2023-2024 | 20 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Michael Boots (former) | EVP | 2020-2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Jonah Goldman (former) | MANAGING DIRECTOR -THRU 5/22 | 2020-2022 | 15 | $0 reported | 3 |
People by year
2024 · 6 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| JEANNINE SARGENT | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| RICH HOSSFELD | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CINDY LEEPER | SECRETARY, TREASURER & COO | 8 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| MARIO FERNANDEZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| RODI GUIDERO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2023 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| JEANNINE SARGENT | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| RICH HOSSFELD | DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CINDY LEEPER | SECRETARY, TREASURER & COO | 8 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| MARIO FERNANDEZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHAEL BOOTS | EVP | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| RODI GUIDERO | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2022 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JONAH GOLDMAN | MANAGING DIRECTOR -THRU 5/22 | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| RODI GUIDERO | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| CINDY LEEPER | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 8 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| MICHAEL BOOTS | EVP | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2021 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JONAH GOLDMAN | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| CINDY LEEPER | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| MICHAEL BOOTS | EVP | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2020 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JONAH GOLDMAN | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| MICHAEL BOOTS | Secretary thru 2/17/21, EVP | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Cindy Leeper | Secretary & Treasurer | 15 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
2024 · 5 contractors · $1.5M
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hogan Lovells US LLP | Baltimore, MD | LEGAL SERVICES | $738,916 |
| Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | New York, NY | LEGAL SERVICES | $235,365 |
| Stikeman Elliott LLP | Toronto, Ontario | LEGAL SERVICES | $177,466 |
| Ramboll Danmark AS | Copenhagen S | CONSULTING - DUE DILIGENCE | $169,644 |
| HKA GLOBAL LTD | Warrington | CONSULTING - DUE DILIGENCE | $137,650 |
2023 · 3 contractors · $3.6M
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodium Group LLC | New York, NY | Research Provider | $2,400,000 |
| Ropes & Gray LLP | Boston, MA | Legal services | $901,624 |
| Hogan Lovells US LLP | Baltimore, MD | Legal services | $309,385 |
2022 · 5 contractors · $4.5M
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ropes & Gray LLP | Boston, MA | Legal services | $3,083,724 |
| Rhodium Group LLC | New York, NY | Research Provider | $800,000 |
| Hogan Lovells US LLP | Baltimore, MD | Legal services | $268,267 |
| Fluor Enterprise Inc | Aliso Viego, CA | Consulting Services | $256,100 |
| Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg S RL | Luxembourg, Luxembourg | Legal services | $133,264 |
2021 · 3 contractors · $1.8M
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ropes Gray | NEW YORK, NY | LEGAL SERVICES | $884,072 |
| Agency EA | CHICAGO, IL | Marketing | $512,643 |
| Rhodium Group | NEW YORK, NY | Research provider | $400,000 |
2020 · 2 contractors · $527K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERNST YOUNG LLP | Tax & Advisory Svcs. | $387,123 | |
| ROPES GRAY LLP | NEW YORK, NE | LEGAL 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.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $12,378,697 | $40,879,386 | $380,609,008 | $378,176,226 | $1,314,532 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $8,212,804 | $53,134,255 | $408,064,858 | $406,676,915 | $1,272,558 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $358,545,515 | $3,160,591 | $452,252,817 | $451,598,366 | $356,182,326 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $34,510,785 | $2,737,906 | $96,543,339 | $96,213,442 | $35,040,324 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $65,047,000 | $606,437 | $65,047,000 | $64,440,563 | $65,047,000 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
- BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY FOUNDATION Kirkland, WA · 3 people in common (Cindy Leeper, Greg Nelson, Rodi Guidero)
- BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY ACTION INC Kirkland, WA · 3 people in common (Cindy Leeper, Greg Nelson, Rodi Guidero)
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
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAGE FOUNDATION INC | ND | C35 | $7,658,825 | $3,073,378 | CHAIRMAN | $1,200 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| ENERGY SYSTEMS INTEGRATION GROUP INC | VA | C35 | $6,441,697 | $6,052,494 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| ENERGY COALITION | CA | C35 | $20,061,692 | $20,077,060 | President | $719,392 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| ENERGY ACTION FUND | CA | C35 | $24,410,702 | $30,341,359 | EAF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $298,218 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| CALIFORNIAS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE | CA | C35 | $8,147,018 | $9,156,083 | President & Dir | $0 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| COALITION FOR GREEN CAPITAL | DC | C35 | $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 INC | FL | C35 | $7,334,806 | $7,310,313 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | $211,500 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| NATIONAL WIND TECHNOLOGY CONSORTIUM | NY | C35 | $7,324,130 | $7,077,564 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $346,300 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| WESTERN CLIMATE INITIATIVE INC | CA | C35 | $11,112,054 | $8,033,224 | EXEC. DIR. | $323,489 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| SOUTHFACE ENERGY INSTITUTE INC | GA | C35 | $8,643,950 | $8,576,087 | PRESIDENT | $202,828 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| CENTER FOR ECOTECHNOLOGY INC | MA | C35 | $10,772,767 | $12,351,525 | PRESIDENT & CEO | $162,887 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC | DC | C35 | $6,522,526 | $5,200,003 | PRESIDENT | $535,100 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| ALLIANCE FOR TRIBAL CLEAN ENERGY INC | DC | C35 | $15,207,137 | $9,214,018 | PRESIDENT & CEO | $282,200 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| JUSTICE CLIMATE FUND INC | DC | C35 | $7,971,950 | $9,106,814 | LAUNCH TEAM (THRU 2/28/2025) | $256,684 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| GROUNDSWELL INC | DC | C35 | $8,552,781 | $6,257,011 | CHIEF EXECUT | $332,835 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| CONSERVATIVE ENERGY NETWORK | MI | C35 | $8,199,394 | $7,044,862 | CEO | $319,393 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| EFFICIENCY FORWARD INC | MA | C35 | $6,191,492 | $7,256,568 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $265,772 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP | DC | C35 | $16,366,034 | $19,283,285 | CHAIR & PRESIDENT | $434,346 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE INC | OR | C35 | $11,740,267 | $9,373,426 | CEO | $573,714 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| CLEAN ECONOMY PROJECT INC | DC | C35 | $15,254,434 | $7,447,354 | DIRECTOR, INNOVATION INITIATIVE | $177,355 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| INSTITUTE FOR MARKET TRANSFORMATION INC | DC | C35 | $6,537,555 | $8,135,948 | CEO | $233,597 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY INC | MT | C35 | $10,096,549 | $9,440,613 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | $187,017 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| GRIDLAB INC | CA | C35 | $11,692,842 | $11,746,324 | Executive Dir. | $338,237 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| CALCEF INNOVATIONS | CA | C35 | $13,317,609 | $12,155,202 | Managing Director of CA | $224,303 | Same NTEE code C35, revenue within 2x |
| SMART ELECTRIC POWER ALLIANCE | DC | C35 | $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).
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
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $40,879,386 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $53,134,255 spent · pay $0 · grants $50,000,000 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $53,134,255 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $3,160,591 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $3,160,591 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $2,737,906 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $512,643
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $2,737,906 | 100% |
2020 · Form 990 · $606,437 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $606,437 | 100% |
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