The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a first-of-its-kind investment to fund energy-efficiency improvements in the nonprofit sector. The Renew America's Nonprofits program—referred to in President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as the Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program—will reduce carbon emissions, improve health and safety, and lower utilities costs at buildings owned and operated by 501(c)(3) nonprofits, allowing critical funds to be redirected to mission-focused work.
To enhance the technical and administrative capacity of nonprofits seeking access to this funding, DOE is using an aggregation model. Under this model, DOE will award 5-15 larger grants to nonprofits interested in serving as Prime recipients. Prime recipients will assemble portfolios of energy-efficiency projects in nonprofit facilities and provide technical and project management assistance. Ultimately, hundreds of nonprofit facilities should be represented across these project bundles.
Join the Teaming List!
To facilitate engagement and partnership-building between the various stakeholders in the Renew America’s Nonprofits grant, DOE has established a Teaming List. Let other stakeholders know you are interested in working together, in one or more of the following roles:
DOE intends to use an aggregation model to implement the Renew America’s Nonprofits program, represented in the diagram below.
Subscribe for more information about the Renew America's Nonprofits program.
Overview
Office:State and Community Energy Programs |
New Program:Yes |
Funding amount:$50,000,000 |
Funding Mechanism:Competitive Grant |
Recipients:Nonprofit Organizations |
Period of Availability:Available until expended |
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Eligible Uses
Grant funds will support the installation of materials to reduce energy or fuel use in buildings owned and operated by 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
The Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) intends to use an aggregation model to implement the Renew America’s Nonprofits program. In this model, successful nonprofit applicants would be “prime” recipients of the awards, characterized by their ability to curate a portfolio of “subrecipients”— nonprofits seeking to implement energy efficiency upgrades in buildings they own and operate—and to provide technical assistance, program, and project management for these organizations.
To expand their capabilities, potential prime recipients may plan to work with partner organizations which are not required to be 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
Next Milestone
- Submission deadline for letter of intent (not required): June 29, 2023, 5 p.m. ET.
- Submission deadline for full applications: August 3, 2023, 5 p.m. ET.
- Anticipated date of award announcements for prime recipients: October 6, 2023.
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