Energy Trust’s Working Together Grants (Oregon and Washington)

Energy Trust’s Working Together Grants are a competitive funding opportunity to help nonprofit organizations reach and serve their customers and communities with clean energy solutions.

Donor Name: Energy Trust of Oregon

State: Oregon, Washington

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 01/10/2025

Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000

Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned

Details:

With these grants, Energy Trust seeks to extend the benefits of energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy to more customers and create awareness for its programs and services.

Types of Grants

Level One Grants up to $5,000
- Level One funding is available to help 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conduct outreach, explore Energy Trust offers and build its capacity through education and training. Funding can support activities related to energy efficiency, clean energy and renewable energy for priority customers (communities of color, customers with low and moderate incomes and rural customers) in Energy Trust’s service area.
- Costs must be itemized, and grants can be requested for any amount up to $5,000. Grant costs will be reviewed for reasonableness and applicants may receive follow-up questions to better understand itemized grant costs.
- Allowable grant activities and costs include:
  - Increase priority community and customer awareness of clean energy solutions and Energy Trust offers
    - Printing or designing of materials
    - Translation and interpretation services
    - Meeting facilitation
    - Event costs, such as rental space and food
    - Costs and staff time for hosting trainings, workshops, and delivering education
  - Increase organization understanding and capability to support clean energy programs
    - Time to meet with Energy Trust to understand options and funding sources for working together
    - Staff training in energy technology or equipment that is supported by Energy Trust incentives
    - Staff training to support greater understanding of Energy Trust programs and services
Level Two Grants up to $10,000
- Level Two funding can support the following program or project activities related to energy efficiency, clean energy and renewable energy for priority customers in Energy Trust’s service area.
- Allowable grant activities and costs include:
  - Supplement an existing program or program in development that would result in priority customer participation in Energy Trust’s energy efficiency and renewable energy offers
    - Costs can be in the categories of buying goods or services, staff, intern, or contractor time, costs for training, workshops or education.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations eligible for Working Together Grants must meet the following criteria:
- Registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity in Oregon or Washington
- Organizations or groups who are currently in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) may apply with a fiscal sponsor, which is a qualified nonprofit organization that provides organizational infrastructure and administrative support for managing a grant.
- Applicant or fiscal sponsor does not appear on the Oregon Department of Justice list of Disqualified Charities
Activities must:
- Benefit utility customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista
- Benefit communities of color, customers experiencing low or moderate incomes and/or rural communities.
- Align with grant purpose to support activities that meet applicant goals while also helping diverse communities access and participate in Energy Trust offers and services
Additional requirements and details:
- Organizations can apply for only one grant (either Level One or Level Two) per funding cycle
- Organizations receiving other funds from Energy Trust are invited to apply but grant activities must be outside the scope of other funds.