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Coronado CA | IRS ruling year: 2010 | EIN: 26-2948811
Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) is a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization that empowers people from diverse backgrounds to educate key stakeholders, policy ... (More)
Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) is a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization that empowers people from diverse backgrounds to educate key stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public about effective solutions to climate change. This powerful corps of over 210,000 climate advocates builds political will for long-lasting climate solutions at the federal and state level. (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Citizens Climate Education Corp is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Citizens Climate Education Corp has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 8/8 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 8/8 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 20.79% - 25/25 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 20.79% - 25/25 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 84.50% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 84.50% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Citizens Climate Education Corp) or EIN (262948811) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Citizens Climate Education Corp reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, donations and grants remained relatively stable, defying projected short-term declines in philanthropic giving. However, the long-term economic impacts of the pandemic are now being felt. 2022 has been a challenging year for fundraising, with overall donations down due to rising inflation and market volatility. In response, we have been doing everything we can to secure additional foundation support and are in the process of preparing an austerity plan for 2023 based on current budgetary projections.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
On one hand, we were fortunate in being able to quickly and easily transition to all-virtual volunteer education and organizing, given the extent to which we already relied on these tools. This allowed us to continue providing volunteers with the same level of education, support, and opportunities to take action. On the other hand, the pandemic made it challenging to recruit new volunteers, as our traditional in-person outreach events were no longer possible. It was a bit of a learning curve to transition to digital outreach. Fortunately, we have been able to invest more in our marketing efforts, and have started seeing an increase in the number of new volunteers. Our impact metrics changed slightly, too, as we were no longer meeting with members of Congress in person. We adapted by mobilizing our volunteers to hold virtual constituent meetings, as well as attend virtual town halls. Overall, we consider our adaptability and resilience during this time to be a success.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We transitioned conferences from in person to fully virtual in 2020 and 2021. This resulted in a remarkable increase in attendance, especially amongst our volunteers who face physical or economic challenges which make it difficult or impossible to come to Washington, D.C. We also transitioned to rely fully on digital recruitment. Leveraging predictive analytics, we launched targeted digital marketing campaigns to reach audiences likely to be interested in our work. We took steps to improve our search engine optimization, digital communications, and online communities. We also refined techniques for onboarding, engaging, and retaining new volunteers. We have also improved our educational content by: - Making shorter, more timely and relevant live online and archived trainings, - Reassessing the frequency of digital content so as not to over-saturate volunteers, and - Transitioning from lecture-based to more interactive virtual trainings and events.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
In 2022, our June Conference transitioned to a hybrid event—both in person and virtual—which allowed those that could not attend in person (or did not feel comfortable attending) to join remotely. This will continue being a hybrid event moving forward. Our fall conference will continue to be fully virtual to enable more people to attend, while simultaneously decreasing our expenses and carbon footprint. We will also continue implementing digital recruitment efforts to compliment in-person outreach, as well as strengthening our digital educational content to be more engaging.
Not Currently Scored
Citizens Climate Education Corp cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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No 990 Program Data Found
Citizens Climate Education Corp has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
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Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) provides a welcoming space for people from diverse backgrounds to exercise their personal and political power. The people we serve are primarily our growing grassroots network of 205,000+ supporters, many of whom are active volunteers.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Community meetings or town halls, Suggestion box/email
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
Citizens’ Climate Education has always been a volunteer-driven organization. Asking for regular feedback empowers our volunteers to see that their voice matters and their input is being used to continually improve the organization.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to get honest feedback from our clients, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Based on volunteer feedback, we recently: reformatted our newsletter layout, segmented our communications to deliver more relevant content to supporters, improved our web design/search experience and accessibility, refined existing trainings, and developed new trainings.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 100/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 100/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 12 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (7/7) | |
|---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (5/7) | |
|---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Citizens Climate Education Corp has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) is a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization that empowers everyday people to build political will for effective climate solutions.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Citizens’ Climate Education exists to create a healthy, livable climate for this generation and generations to come.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Recruit, train, and mobilize climate-conscious constituents from diverse backgrounds to exercise their personal and political power.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Educate Congress on impactful climate solutions.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: Increase widespread support for climate solutions from community leaders, businesses, academic institutions, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other important stakeholders.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Citizens’ Climate Education invests in staff leadership development within each department based on individual goals and team needs. Examples of ongoing investments across departments include: Bimonthly meetings for managers through which participants are able to strengthen leadership skills. Meetings include presentations, training, tools, and facilitated discussions that cover an array of topics. They are led by the Executive Director, our Human Resources department, and guest speakers. Weekly all-staff meetings periodically include leadership skill-building discussion prompts. Semiannual staff retreats, which include leadership development, team building, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. CCE also provides numerous free online trainings and workshops to the general public; many of which support leadership development. CCE also provides monthly meetings to support Group Leaders, State Coordinators, and Congressional Liaisons in their volunteer leadership positions.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
Citizens’ Climate Education mobilizes chapters to leverage what we call the five “levers of political will.” The overarching goal is to bring citizens into the political process for climate solutions and ensure their contribution is constructive. 1) Educate Congress: We help citizens build skills to effectively educate their elected officials on climate solutions. 2) Media relations: We train citizens how to engage the media. We write letters to the editor and op-eds, meet with editorial boards, and work to place stories in all forms of media. 3) Grassroots outreach: We recruit and educate the public on climate solutions, citizen advocacy, and how to participate with one’s government. 4) Grasstops engagement: We seek to educate, build partnerships with, and gain the support of community leaders and non-governmental organizations. 5) Chapter and volunteer development: We grow our local groups and improve our skills as climate advocates, helping strengthen the other four levers.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
With the continuation of the pandemic, most activities remained virtual in 2021. This presented unique opportunities, as well as challenges. Volunteer recruitment has historically been largely through in-person activities. Now that we have transitioned to mostly virtual outreach, we rely more heavily on digital outreach campaigns, online communities, and search engine optimization. This shift has required us to refine our techniques for connecting with, onboarding, and engaging new volunteers. Virtual programming has helped improve diversity and inclusion amongst our supporters, increasing access for many. This has especially been true for: People of Color, people in rural communities, people with limited economic resources (recognizing that access to a phone and/or computer is still needed), persons with disabilities, caretakers, students, and youth. However, keeping people engaged without in-person relationships has proven challenging. “Zoom fatigue” has become increasingly prevalent as virtual activities persist. As a result, some chapters have transitioned to a hybrid model: maintaining a digital presence, while also hosting in-person, COVID-safe events for member retention. In addition, we are also working to improve our educational content by: 1) Making shorter, more timely, and relevant trainings; 2) Reassessing the frequency of content so as not to over-saturate volunteers; and 3) Transitioning to more interactive trainings and events.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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