Deadline: 3-Apr-25
The EmPower Massachusetts offers multiple stages of investment in communities and community-based organizations so that they can explore, develop, and implement program models or projects that provide access to the benefits of clean energy for previously underserved populations.
This MassCEC program crowd-sources new and innovative ideas, then helps put them into action. EmPower offers funding to meet the following goals:
- Build organizational capacity & explore innovative solutions
- Implement solutions
Program Goals
- Empower communities, organizations, and stakeholders to:
- Identify innovative solutions for increasing access to the benefits of clean energy and/or reducing energy burden to Priority Groups.
- Implement innovative solutions and continue long-term engagement strategies in Priority Groups.
- Increase organizational capacity to support long-term ability to identify and implement these solutions.
Funding Information
- MassCEC anticipates awarding grants of up to One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000). Applicants are encouraged to request lower amounts if less funding is needed for the proposed program model or project.
Program Activity
- Through the Program, MassCEC also intends to:
- Facilitate communication and relationships between interested and/or participating organizations or individuals;
- Inform participants about relevant opportunities or programs at MassCEC or from other agencies;
- Deepen MassCEC’s relationships with community-based organizations and other organizations or individuals with a demonstrated history working with Priority Groups;
- Create and maintain an inclusive process and program structure that supports Priority Groups and Federally Recognized and State Acknowledged Tribes;
- Lower barriers to access clean energy or other environmental justice related grant opportunities, including education on clean energy and barriers to accessing to clean energy; and
- Utilize stakeholder engagement to inform future programming and policy.
Priority Groups
- For the purposes of this RFP and in accordance with the Program goals, MassCEC defines “Priority Groups” to include the following:
- “Environmental Justice Populations” as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Environmental Justice Policy.
- “Environmental Justice (EJ) Population” means (A) a neighborhood that meets 1 or more of the following criteria: (i) the annual median household income is not more than 65% of the statewide annual median household income; (ii) minorities comprise 40% or more of the population; (iii) 25% or more of households lack English language proficiency; or (iv) minorities comprise 25% or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150% of the statewide annual median household income; or (B) a geographic portion of a neighborhood designated by the Secretary as an environmental justice population in accordance with law.
- “Minority” refers to individuals who identify themselves as Latino/Hispanic, Black/African American, Asian, Indigenous people, and people who otherwise identify as non-white.
- “Low-income” means median household income at or below 65% of the statewide median income for Massachusetts, according to federal census data.
- “English isolation” refers to households that are English Language Isolated according to federal census forms, or do not have an adult over the age of 14 that speaks only English or English very well.
- “Environmental Justice (EJ) Population” means (A) a neighborhood that meets 1 or more of the following criteria: (i) the annual median household income is not more than 65% of the statewide annual median household income; (ii) minorities comprise 40% or more of the population; (iii) 25% or more of households lack English language proficiency; or (iv) minorities comprise 25% or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150% of the statewide annual median household income; or (B) a geographic portion of a neighborhood designated by the Secretary as an environmental justice population in accordance with law.
- Renters (primarily residential)
- Communities or individuals disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, by the fossil-fuel based energy system, or other environmental hazards (e.g., air quality or heat).
- “Environmental Justice Populations” as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Environmental Justice Policy.
Who’s Eligible?
- MassCEC seeks a wide variety of applicants/participants, such as:
- Community-based organizations (CBOs), non-profits, and individuals
- Federally Recognized and State-Acknowledged Tribes
- Municipalities (including those with municipal electric departments/companies)
- Clean energy installers/implementers
- Financial institutions
- They also encourage (and can help facilitate) beneficial partnerships.
For more information, visit MassCEC.