Deadline: 08-Oct-21
Applications are now open for the Catalyzing Grants for Communities.
Primary Objectives
- Encourage community-based clean energy projects in each Minnesota CERT region. Clean energy projects can include projects such as: energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, electric vehicle-related projects, and energy storage.
- Spur projects that are highly visible in their community and can be replicated by others
- Provide an opportunity for community education about clean energy and its many benefits
Funding Information
- Each region has its own pool of funding: $20,000 per region.
- These are considered seed grants. Projects have historically received funding for amounts between $2,000 and $5,000. There are usually more requests than funds available.
Eligibility Criteria
- Project must be located in Minnesota.
- Eligible applicants include but are not limited to: nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, tribal nations, schools, libraries, civic associations, religious institutions, service clubs, student groups, business associations, cooperatives, food shelves, shelters, and for profit entities if the project has a larger public purpose.
- Eligible costs include labor and minor materials and supplies. Examples of eligible and ineligible costs are listed below.
- Examples of eligible labor costs include: consultant fees, design professional fees, electrician costs, installer costs, student interns, or participation incentives.
- Eligible material and supply costs include: printing, postage, office materials and supplies to conduct outreach and education, training and registration fees, mileage (at approved state rates).
- Not eligible: capital costs, or substantial equipment and hardware
- Project must be completed within the funding period: December 1, 2021, through January 6, 2023.
- Preference will be given to proposals that are from, led by, and/or include meaningful participation by historically underserved populations. CERTs defines underserved populations as energy burdened communities—those who spend more than 5% of their income on energy costs—and other groups historically excluded from energy decisions and opportunities. This includes (but is not limited to) Black, Indigenous and People of Color, immigrants, low income, disabled, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and geographically isolated communities.
For more information, visit https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/seedgrants