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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: September 2025 Expires: September 2027

Solar Cookers International

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
Accreditation seal
(916) 455-4499
2400 22nd Street, Suite 210
Sacramento, CA, 95818
https://www.solarcookers.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Solar Cookers International meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to improve human health, economic well-being, women’s empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide."

Year, State Incorporated:
1988, CA

Solar Cookers International (SCI) reports that it works to accelerate solar cooking adoption where the need is greatest through advocacy, research, and capacity building to empower communities with sustainable solutions. The organization advocates for solar cooking at high-level forums, seeking to elevate local voices and equip individuals with research-backed tools. SCI’s research seeks to strengthen the credibility of solar cooking technology, using the SCI Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) to deliver standardized performance ratings. The organization combines research, sector monitoring, mapping, and impact analysis to generate insights that drive strategic action. SCI aims to build capacity by partnering with local organizations to implement solar cooking projects that align with community needs, leveraging SCI’s best practice tools to support sustainable models and lasting impact. The organization states that it also provides free resources including the Solar Cooking Wiki, guides, and toolkits to strengthen global adoption of solar cooking.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, Solar Cookers International's program expenses were:

Program services $719,102
Total Program Expenses $719,102

Chief Executive
Caitlyn Hughes, Executive Director

Compensation*
$82,615

Chair of the Board
Marguerite Barratt

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Professor, George Washington University

Board Size
12

Paid Staff Size
10

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals

Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,011,435, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Solar Cookers International's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions $837,435
Grants and contracts $174,000
Investment income $109,973
In-kind contributions $4,942
Other income $1,761
Sales of cookers and materials $1,288
Total Income $1,129,399

Programs: 80% Fundraising: 16% Administrative: 3%

Total Income $1,129,399
Total expenses: $896,402
  Program expenses $719,102
  Fundraising expenses $147,725
  Administrative expenses $29,575
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $232,997
Beginning Net Assets $2,130,576
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $2,363,573
Total Liabilities $53,079
Total Assets $2,416,652

Note: According to SCI's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, the organization reported receiving $4,942 in donated professional services.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance