Can my organization apply for more than one grant?

Organizations can apply for one grant per funding cycle. In future rounds the selection committee may consider previous grant received from Energy Trust and give preference to new applicants. 

My organization has received funding from Energy Trust. Can we still apply?

All nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply and will be considered based on their proposal. In future rounds the selection committee may consider previous grant received from Energy Trust and give preference to new applicants.

What activities can grant funds be used for?

Grant funds can be used to support the following activities in Energy Trust service territory:   

1. Activities to increase community and customer awareness of clean energy solutions and offers—such as events or marketing materials 
2. Activities to spur customer participation in Energy Trust’s energy efficiency and renewable energy offers—such as funding to supplement an existing program or program in development 
3. Support for organizations needing additional capacity to connect customers to clean energy solutions and offers—such as staff time, training costs, costs for a grant writer, contractor, intern 

Can the grant funds be used to cover energy efficiency or renewable energy project costs at a nonprofit building?

Nonprofits making energy efficiency upgrades or installing solar may qualify for Energy Trust cash incentives. Information on available incentives is available on Energy Trust’s website or by calling 1.866.368.7878 or emailing info@energytrust.org. These grant funds are not intended to cover the cost of an energy efficiency or renewable energy project at a nonprofit organization’s building.

The Working Together Grants are for nonprofit organizations interested in pursuing activities that help priority diversity, equity and inclusion audiences in Energy Trust focus areas (communities of color, customers with low incomes or rural communities) save energy or use clean, renewable energy.  Activities funded will increase community and customer awareness of clean energy solutions and offers, help spur customer participation in Energy Trust offers and services and provide capacity for nonprofits seeking to connect customers with clean energy solutions and offers.

If you have questions about the purpose of these grant funds or Energy Trust cash incentives, please email workingtogethergrants@energytrust.org.

Can the grant funds be used to cover the cost of energy efficiency or renewable energy equipment?

The grant funds cannot be used to cover the cost of equipment. Nonprofits making energy efficiency upgrades or installing solar may qualify for Energy Trust cash incentives. For more information on residential, equipment upgrade or solar incentives, visit our website or call 1.866.368.7878.

What can be included as eligible expenses?

The proposal should describe how funds will be used and expected outcomes. Funds may not be used for direct lobbying or any political activities. 

Examples of eligible expenses include: 

1. Buying goods or services   
2. Staff, intern, contractor time and community participation  
3. Costs for training, workshops or education  
    

Can my organization apply with a fiscal sponsor?

Yes, organizations or groups may apply with a fiscal sponsor, which is a qualified nonprofit organization that provides organizational infrastructure and administrative support for managing a grant.

My organization is just starting work in this area and my concept is not fully developed. Can we still get funded?

We understand that each organization and project is unique and some proposals may be more developed than others. If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and the proposal directly or indirectly benefits Energy Trust utility customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista, it will be considered for funding. 

The proposal evaluation process will review all proposals received. If you are not awarded funds in this round, we invite you to submit again in a future round. We are available to help with the application process and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to us at workingtogethergrants@energytrust.org. 

Can a proposal be partially funded?

Yes, applications may be approved for partial funding of activities outlined in the proposal. If this should occur, the application will be approved with an amendment clearly stating which activities are approved for funding and which have been denied.  

 Applicants can apply for any amount of funding up to $10,000. If a grant application is denied, information on the decision will be provided to the organization and the organization will be encouraged to revise and apply for the following funding cycle. We are available to help with the application process and answer any questions you may have. 

How are applications evaluated?

Applications will be evaluated by Energy Trust as they are received to determine compliance with eligibility criteria and goals. All complete applications meeting eligibility requirements will be reviewed and scored by the Working Together Grant Panel to determine awardees based on the following categories:  

1. Organizational background: This portion of the application is designed to gather information about the applicant’s organization.  
2. Staffing: This portion of the application is designed to understand the relevant skills, experience and capacity the organization has to manage a small grant and carry out the proposed work, including fiscal accountability and reporting needs for a successful project.   
3. Community Impact: This portion of the application is designed to understand the alignment between the proposed activity and Energy Trust focus areas including the impact on the organization and community. Specific consideration is given for how the project might impact Energy Trust diversity, equity and inclusion priority customers.     
4. Approach: This portion of the application is designed to understand the organization’s overall funding needs and how they might be used to complete the proposed project or activity, along with any other funding sources that may be applied to the work proposed. 

What if there are too many applications for this round of funding?

We anticipate that we will receive more requests for funding than we have budget. Priority will be given to applications that:  

• Align most directly with grant objectives  
• Demonstrate ability to manage and implement planned activities with grant funds  
• Highlight community and organization impact 
• Deliver greatest benefit to Energy Trust customers and diversity, equity and inclusion priority customers   

To ensure grants are awarded to applicants from across Energy Trust’s service territory, organizations applying that are located in and serve the Portland-metro communities will be scored separately from those organizations that are located in and serve non-Portland metro communities.

What are the grant reporting requirements?

Grantees will be required to submit a simple one-page narrative report and cost summary. Cost summary must detail how grant funds were spent. We can accept multiple reporting formats. 

What are the insurance requirements for grantees?

Staff will let grantees know the level of insurance required. Insurance requirements vary depending on how the funds will be used. Some types of activities and use of funding could require insurance requirements or none at all.  

Who is on the grant panel?

The grant panel will consist of Energy Trust staff experienced in community-based organization partnerships and external representatives from Energy Trust’s Diversity Advisory Council.

How will I know if my organization’s application was selected for grant funding?

An email will be sent to all applicants announcing the selected grant recipients using the email provided on your grant application. 

Regarding the question referencing diversity of staff and leadership (application page 2), is this asking for a listing of staff/leadership and their various diverse characteristics, or a general statement including the characteristics that the group embodies?

We are interested in learning more about your organization’s staff and leadership and the experiences and skills they will apply to the activity proposed in this grant application. You can provide a general statement or specific detail by staff member in your response to this question.

These grant funds are designed to help diverse customers and communities save energy or use clean, renewable energy. The information you provide will help the selection committee gain an understanding of the staff doing this work.