Renew America's Nonprofits

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Questions?

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.

Applications for Prime recipients were due on August 3, 2023. DOE expects to announce selections of Prime recipients in October 2023.

View the Current 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. DOE intends to use an aggregation model to implement the Renew America’s Nonprofits program, represented in the diagram below.

The Teaming Partner list will continue to be updated following the application deadline, to facilitate connections across the nonprofit community. Join the teaming list to let other stakeholders know you are interested in working together. Please note that this is not an application.

Spotlighted Questions

1. We have joined the Teaming List. When will we hear from someone?

The Teaming List is a tool intended to help organizations with complementary goals connect and explore partnerships - including prospective Prime selectees and subrecipients. It is not a source of news/updates from the DOE. If you would like to receive updates about program and Prime selectees, tools, resources, and additional opportunities from the Renew America's Nonprofits program, join our mailing list. If you would like to explore a partnership with another organization on this list, please reach out to them directly using the contact information provided.

2. My organization is hoping to be a subrecipient. What are our next steps?

DOE is not responsible for the formation of partnerships between prospective Prime and prospective subrecipients. However, we have provided the Renew America's Nonprofits Teaming List to help connect organizations that may wish to partner with each other. We recommend reviewing the current teaming list for potential candidates, researching their backgrounds, and contacting them using the contact information provided. As a best practice, we recommend exploring relationships with multiple candidates to promote best fit and normalize expectations.

Related Resources

Federal Funding Opportunities for Nonprofits 

EERE Funding Programs View open funding opportunities from the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

Grants.gov (List of Federal Grants) Search by eligibility for “Nonprofits”, then filter by the category “Energy” and “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)” to find relevant federal funding opportunities for energy improvements. 

Tax Credits for Nonprofits 

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency Find tax credits, rebates and savings available in your state. 

Direct Pay for Tax Credits White House factsheet explaining how nonprofits can now access tax credits for clean energy through direct pay, following guidance from the Treasury. 

Tools & Resources 

Better Buildings Initiative Solution Center Resource center of building solutions by building type, sector, technology, or barrier.  

DOE Buildings Asset Score Audit This tool allows users to generate energy retrofit measure recommendations and energy savings estimates. Create a login then score the building and review the associated Energy Asset Score Report.  

Justice40 Initiative Learn about the whole-of-government initiative to ensure 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. 

National Community Solar Partnership Ecosystem which enables organizations to interact with each other, funders, and solar providers. NCSP also provides technical assistance, including credit-ready guidance. 

Renew America's Nonprofits Grant Information

Learn More

Review the Renew America's Nonprofit's Virtual Office Hours 1:

Review the Renew America's Nonprofits Virtual Office Hours 2:

Renew America's Nonprofits Office Hours 2 Presentation Slides
Renew America's Nonprofit's Office Hours 2 Recording (Starts at 16:55)

Review the Digital Engagement Toolkit

Renew America’s Nonprofits Grant Digital Engagement Toolkit

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.