Nonprofit · EIN 94-2584236
ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ
Tax-exempt · SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $22,498,293 | $21,323,839 | $1,174,454 | $21,263,395 | $5,216,632 | $16,046,763 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $22,091,910 | $20,329,796 | $1,762,114 | $22,570,753 | $7,698,444 | $14,872,309 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $11,317,503 | $12,438,320 | -$1,120,817 | $20,889,591 | $7,779,396 | $13,110,195 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $19,895,843
- of which government grants
- $18,817,077
- Program service revenue
- $271,672
- Investment income
- $881,624
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $778,390
- Other revenue
- $1,449,154
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $2,219,292
- Other salaries and wages
- $7,812,731
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $11,996,397
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $98,133
- Travel
- $81,924
- Depreciation
- $132,870
- Program services (functional)
- $16,525,745
- Management and general (functional)
- $4,673,192
- Fundraising (functional)
- $124,902
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $22,570,753
- Total assets, end of year
- $21,263,395
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $5,216,632
- Net assets, end of year
- $16,046,763
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,763,686
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $16,046,763
- Gross receipts
- $23,319,903
- Employees
- 146
- Volunteers
- 135
- Year formed
- 1979
- State of legal domicile
- CA
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James J Murphy | CEO & Exec Dir Officer | 40 | $344,153 | $25,525 |
| John Hirt | VP Project Delivery | 40 | $304,089 | $46,426 |
| Jane M McClellan | Principal, Taper | 40 | $332,452 | $7,141 |
| Chuck Tremper | COO Officer | 40 | $256,896 | $5,367 |
| Mahlon Aldridge | VP Strategy | 40 | $199,582 | $57,932 |
| John Webb | VP Business Systems | 40 | $236,788 | $17,403 |
| Andy Marse | VP Customer Success | 40 | $213,180 | $23,685 |
| Brenda Hopewell | VP Strategy | 40 | $204,197 | $23,408 |
| Heather Henricks | VP Marketing | 40 | $221,367 | $4,645 |
| Kathleen Steffanic | VP Finance | 40 | $200,555 | $23,277 |
| Michelle Morales | VP Utility Strategy | 40 | $207,640 | $12,114 |
| Richard Ma | Dir of Engineering | 40 | $194,556 | $3,912 |
| Andrew Hoeksema | VP Community Programs | 40 | $181,270 | $11,662 |
| Doug Mahone | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Sarah Clark | Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
9 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn Renshaw | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Nikki Patterson | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Wendy Root Askew | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Heather Lukacs | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Patrick Testoni | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Lisa Heschong | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| David Pais | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Ileana Ortega Brunetti | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Ken Ketch | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James J Murphy | CEO & Exec Dir Officer | 40 | $404,354 | $49,972 |
| Gary Eberhart | VP, Construction Services | 40 | $399,685 | $53,258 |
| Jane M McClellan | Principal, Taper | 40 | $343,662 | $13,650 |
| Chuck Tremper | COO Officer | 40 | $304,619 | $11,993 |
| Jonathan Tan | VP Business Dev & Integration | 40 | $237,069 | $49,985 |
| John Webb | VP Business Info | 40 | $250,366 | $26,827 |
| Mahlon Aldridge | VP, Strategy | 40 | $216,545 | $60,226 |
| Heather Henricks | VP Marketing | 40 | $237,207 | $9,296 |
| Kathleen Steffanic | VP Finance & HR | 40 | $207,646 | $25,178 |
| Andy Marse | VP, Customer Success | 40 | $202,683 | $25,766 |
| Michelle Morales | VP, Delivery | 40 | $210,502 | $15,931 |
| Frank Henry | VP, Sales | 40 | $194,082 | $32,346 |
| Richard Ma | Dir of Engineering | 40 | $194,018 | $7,665 |
| Stan Pratt | Sr Software Dev | 40 | $184,843 | $8,120 |
| Nikki Patterson | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| David Pais | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Sarah Clark | Vice Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Wendy Root Askew | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Heather Lukacs | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Patrick Testoni | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Heschong | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Doug Mahone | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Lynn Renshaw | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Ileana Ortega Brunetti | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Ken Ketch | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John M Peterson | Vice President Innovation | 40 | $563,504 | $29,266 |
| James J Murphy | CEO & Exec Dir Officer | 40 | $379,820 | $26,700 |
| Gary Eberhart | VP, Construction Services | 40 | $339,049 | $48,088 |
| Charles R Tremper | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $292,977 | $11,527 |
| Jonathan Tan | VP Business Dev & Integration | 40 | $238,242 | $51,341 |
| Jane M McClellan | Principal, Taper | 40 | $269,221 | $10,673 |
| Mahlon Aldridge | VP Strategic Dev | 40 | $221,840 | $55,562 |
| John Beatty Endsley Webb | VP Business Info | 40 | $241,078 | $32,765 |
| Kathleen Steffanic | VP Finance & HR | 40 | $218,706 | $23,635 |
| Bonnie F Low | VP Sales | 40 | $196,125 | $39,057 |
| Heather Henricks | VP Marketing | 40 | $205,168 | $7,992 |
| Kathy Rau | Leadership Team | 40 | $187,171 | $8,491 |
| Jennifer Smith Grubb | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Nikki Patterson | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Joe Jordan | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| David Pais | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Sarah Clark | President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Wendy Root Askew | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Heather Lukacs | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Patrick Testoni | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Lisa Heschong | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Doug Mahone | Vice Chr/Treas Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Lynn Renshaw | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Ileana Ortega Brunetti | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Ken Ketch | Board Member Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 877 CEDAR ST STE 240, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060-3938
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- James J Murphy, 877 Cedar Street 240, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Signed the 990
- James J Murphy, CEO & Exec Dir
- Phone
- (831) 426-5925
- Website
- www.ecoact.org
- Return prepared by
- Price Paige & Company CPAs LLP
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 94-2584236 or by the name ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
The primary and specific purpose for which the said corporation is formed is to empower individuals, businesses and communities to take actions today that achieve environmental and economic sustainability. The activities of the corporation shall be within the scope of section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code.
Program accomplishments
- Energy efficiency is one of the most impactful and cost-effective ways to protect the environment -- that's why we've been committed to it for over two decades. We make Energy Efficiency Actionable for businesses across the West by offering energy efficiency services including rebate/incentive management, technical assistance, engineering support, project management and financing options. In addition, through our subsidiary Taper, a C Corp subsidiary of Ecology Action, we are dedicated to reducing pollution at scale by making energy efficiency easy for large commercial businesses. As a general contractor, Taper offers solutions for HVAC, refrigeration, lighting, water systems and more. Our tailored approach streamlines the efficiency process and ensures delivery of large-scale solutions that yield dependable environmental benefits.Expenses $8,632,969 · revenue $10,539,965
- Community Initiatives-Ecology Action builds a more sustainable and equitable future by promoting opportunities to make simple, everyday changes in how we live and work in our communities. Ecology Action powers programs that help advance resilience in communities by providing resources, hands-on tools, training, and perhaps most importantly - connection to others through the Resilient Central Coast program.Ecology Actions local active transportation programs have helped thousands of people make the switch to low-carbon transportation. Modo, our active transportation initiative, offers community-based planning, education and engagement to help people of all ages safely adopt active transportation modes that reduce emissions. Ecology Action acts as a catalyst on both sides of the electric vehicle equation. We help people from all walks of life purchase electric vehicles through our EVs For Everyone Initiative. We also help property owners expand access to EV charging by providing technical assistance and support for the installation of charging infrastructure at their properties. Throughout these efforts, we prioritize historically under-served communities. Ecology Action designs and executes public education programs to inspire Monterey Bay Area residents and businesses to make water conservation a way of life. This lessens water dependency on our rivers, reservoirs and groundwater wells and builds resilience in our communities against drought.Expenses $7,892,776 · revenue $9,615,414
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 94-2584236
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1979
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C00M)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $21,263,395
- Income (IRS master file)
- $23,319,903
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $22,498,293 | $21,323,839 | $21,263,395 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $22,091,910 | $20,329,796 | $22,570,753 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $11,317,503 | $12,438,320 | $20,889,591 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $9,708,291 | $9,752,479 | $18,646,018 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 94-2584236).
Questions about ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ
- What is the EIN of ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ is 94-2584236.
- Is ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1979.
- Are donations to ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names James J Murphy.
- Who are the officers and directors of ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 24 people; 13 received compensation from the organization, the highest $344,153 (James J Murphy, CEO & Exec Dir).
- How much revenue does ECOLOGY ACTION OF SANTA CRUZ have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $22,498,293, expenses of $21,323,839 and total assets of $21,263,395 at year end.
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- AMAH MUTSUN LAND TRUST EIN 32-0447436 · last filed 990 for 2024
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