Federal Funding Fridays

10/18/24 – Diving into the DOE BUILT grant

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

GRANTS & FUNDING SOURCES

AWARDED

  • Last Thursday, the first EV charging station funded by the EV Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator (EVC-RAA) Program opened in Blue Earth, Minnesota. (NEVI program)
    • The EVC-RAA grant program has made nearly $150 million available for American communities to repair roughly 4,500 existing EV charging ports as a part of a White House-led goal of having 500,000 EV chargers in the ground and operating by 2030
    • Map of Awarded Projects

Open Grants

  • DOE BUILT Nonprofits Grant
    • – FEATURED SPEAKERS – Haley Harrison, Annabelle Swift, Greetchen Gigley (DOE)
    • Through this competitive funding opportunity, eligible nonprofits apply to receive funding for energy improvement projects, including HVAC upgrades, building insulation, lighting improvements, and the installation of energy-efficient appliances and equipment. 
    • Eligible entities: nonprofits that own their own buildings, 501(c)3
      • Must have capacity to measure impact
      • Adhere to Davis Bacon Act and NEPA federal requirements
      • Measure and meet EE goals
    • Awards: up to $100,000 for 6-12 month projects (with 6 month extension available)
    • Cost-share/Match: 20%, including in-kind technical assistance
    • Deadline:  Nov. 12, 11:59 pm ET
    • Non-eligible activities: renewables, solar
    • TechWerx page for more info 
    • Webinar
    • Oct. Office Hours registration
    • Announcements tobe made in mid-December; contracts to wrap up in February and then money hits
    • TechWerx
      • Facilitating partnerships between academia, nonprofits, business, and government. This is your go-to for questions.
      • @techwerx.org
      • Similar to Renewing America’s Nonprofits, TechWerx serves as a pass-through so funds flow directly to the nonprofit
      • 5-page application!!
  • Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
    • Criterion 1: Energy Related Impacts of Upgrade (40%)
      • Energy Savings
      • Energy Cost Savings
      • Emission Reductions
      • Plan to Measure Energy Impacts
      • Specifications or Rationale for Proposed Upgrade
    • Criterion 2: Organizational Capacity and Need (30%)
      • Project Team Composition
      • Timeline
      • Statement of Need
    • Criterion 3: Community Related Impacts (30%)
      • Justice40 Community Benefits
      • Reinvestment to Mission
  • Questions
    • Is there an operating definition of “community-based non-profit”?
      • No mission or size limitation
    • I’m assuming these funds could be stacked with Direct pay?
      • This grant doesn’t fund solar or prep for solar
      • Can’t use it as cost-share
    • Do the 501(c)3 requirements allow for a fiscal sponsorship agreement structure?
      • You have to own and operate the building; required to show proof of operation and ownership
      • Example that could work: if the org/church is listed on the 501(c)3 letter that was given to the fiscal sponsor
      • Long-term leases don’t qualify
    • Will existing projects qualify?  We have an active renovation project already underway.
      • Yes, you’d be eligible. It’s for equipment and installation.
      • You can’t use it to reimburse previously expended items – it’s for new purchases.
    • Is there a focus on CJEST communities or is it equal priority for all small nonprofits?
      • There are questions on the app about how the project serves DAC (disadvantaged communities) and where you’re located. Not an eligibility criteria but it’s a consideration.
      • Community impact piece is 30%
    • Will you assist or tutor us in how to measure savings as our energy bill may not reflect a savings with our costs rising locally and only one or two items are installed for efficiency and lumped in with the rest of the building.
    • If we have multiple facilities can we apply for all? For example, new HVAC equipment for each?
      • This would be under one application, up to $100k.
      • While you can submit multiple applications, it is a competitive process, so you’re encouraged to submit your most competitive project for up to $100k
    • Are applicants limited on the number of projects they can submit?
      • No, but encouraged to submit your best project because this will be competitive.
    • How many awards are you expecting to give?
      • 20 – 30 projects 
    • To be clear, with the 20% cost share can we ask for $120,000 in projects?
      • Projects can be up to $125,000 with cost share. We have a mock-up of how to calculate cost share on the webinar slides.
    • If a building purchase is in process, can those funds be counted as part of the match requirement?
      • No.
    • More FAQs on the TechWerx website: Scroll down to the FAQs as they relate to this particular grant. 
  • Community Change Grants
    • Congratulations to everyone getting in their applications!!!
    • Make sure you can access your sam.gov or grants.gov accounts before you sit down to submit!!