The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has picked nine “Prime Selectee” organizations that will eventually select hundreds of nonprofits to receive funds for energy efficiency upgrades. The nine selectees will partner with a variety of regional, state and local entities to identify eligible nonprofits that will share in $45 million in federal largesse.
Eligible nonprofits include 501(c)(3) organizations that own their own structures. Approximately a half million nonprofits operate such facilities, according to a statement from the DOE. Program officials estimate that around 300 nonprofits will receive funds from this program.
The nine Prime Selectees include:
* Alaska Heat Smart, Juneau, Alaska
* Ecology Action, Santa Cruz, California
* Mid America Regional Council Community Services Corporation, Kansas City, Missouri
* Medici Road, Washington, D.C.
* Southface Energy Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
* Sustainable Westchester, Mount Kisco, New York
* Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation, Los Cruces, New Mexico
* University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
* University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, Michigan
The Renew America’s Nonprofit grants, as the program is called, are part of President Joseph Biden’s Investing in America agenda. While the final recipient selections have not yet been made, program officials anticipate that around 300 facilities throughout 28 participating states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive funds. Plans call for at least 60% of the funds to be distributed to nonprofits in disadvantaged communities.
“Nonprofits promote social cohesion, public health, creativity and innovation — all of which are essential to thriving communities,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement announcing the program. “With this funding, the Biden-Harris Administration is empowering these organizations to expand crucial services by cutting their energy costs, while bringing the nation closer to President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Individual rewards for energy efficiency upgrade can reach up to $200,000, Renew America’s Nonprofits’ Nonprofits Manager Gretchen Gigley told The NonProfit Times.
The first opportunity for eligible nonprofits, “Prime Recipients” in program argot, ended on August 3, But nonprofit leaders who wish to offer expertise or be kept in the loop for future developments may sign up to be on a “Teaming Partner List” here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=zD4Ya1VL1U6z-H9kvhxBOCUs8wgn8gtMlzbKalAJgdlUMFlYV0g4S0JNNjc3MTlINFo5TVlFVFFMNCQlQCN0PWcu. Currently, 2,400 nonprofits have raised their hands to be part of the program, whether as recipients, consultants or facilitators.
“The Teaming Partner List is a platform for nonprofits, prospective partners and financing organizations to come together,” Gigley said. “This model is in place so Prime Selectees [can join with] partners to help them better implement the program. [Prime Selectees] may be a very knowledgeable about energy efficiency, but they may need somebody to help with the marketing within the network, or maybe they are an organization that doesn’t have the technical expertise.”
While this funding will go only to 501(c)3 nonprofits that own buildings, future plans call for programs that will expand the reach of energy efficiency programs among nonprofits. In the coming months Renew America’s Nonprofits will start creating resources that will allow nonprofit leaders to assess their buildings themselves, according to Gigley. A separate initiative will provide a tool that will help nonprofits connect to funding both within the DOE and across other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
