Breakthrough Energy Foundation
Breakthrough Energy (Breakthrough Energy Foundation) accelerates development and deployment of climate technologies through funding, programs (including the Breakthrough Energy Fellows), policy advocacy, and grantmaking. The organization is headquartered in Kirkland, WA and maintains program and people pages on its website.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
An organization working on cleantech R&D, climate policy development or implementation, or ecosystem-building with capacity to demonstrate measurable, scalable impact and to partner with program teams.
Good Fit
- • Work directly advances clean energy technologies or commercialization pathways.
- • Clear policy or implementation component at state or national scale.
- • Track record of managing multi-year, multi-stakeholder projects or research.
- • Ability to collaborate with established climate research institutions or policy groups.
- • Readiness to absorb grants in the mid-six- to seven-figure range or to partner on larger strategic investments.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached organizations in 21 states and the portfolio is clearly national in scope, though a few states (notably California) receive a larger share of dollars.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a large and diverse set of recipients (125 distinct grantees in the latest year) including universities, policy institutes, research organizations, and cleantech ventures, with a mix of large strategic awards and many smaller R&D or program grants.
New Applicants
Behavioral evidence shows substantial turnover and new entrants (about 46% of 2024 grantees were new and similar rates appeared in 2023), so unfamiliar applicants have a realistic chance of entering the portfolio; however, no formal public application process was found.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
