The 2023 SEEL program provides grant funding and technical assistance for nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses to improve building efficiency and install solar.
Donor Name: City of Bloomington
State: Indiana
City: Bloomington
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/24/2023
Size of the Grant:$10,000
Details:
Energy Efficiency Project Eligibility
- LED conversion or upgrades, including installation of occupancy sensors
- Ventilation and cooling upgrades, including HVAC replacement
- Minimum HVAC Upgrade Requirements
- Must be EnergyStar Certified
- Existing unit should be at least 10 years old
- Minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER): 14.5 SEER
- Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating (EER): 11.0 for single units, 12.0 for split units
- Water heater upgrades
- Must be EnergyStar Certified
- Existing unit should be at least 10 years old
- Must be electric, solar, or geothermal
- Minimum energy factor of 2.0
SEEL Energy Efficiency Grants and Additional Incentives
- $10,000 Matching Grant – The City of Bloomington will provide grants as a cost share to help cover project costs. These $10,000 grants will not exceed 50% of the total project costs with a minimum project size of $20,000. The remainder of the project costs can be financed by the organization or through lending. Additional utility rebates may be available, depending on the facility and project type. See the “Additional Rebates” section below for more information.
- $3,000 Energy Efficiency Assessment – After participation in the program is confirmed, IFF and the City of Bloomington will work with organizations who have not previously received an energy assessment through SEEL to schedule a facility energy assessment completed by IFF staff. The energy assessment is valued at $3,000 and the cost of the assessment is sponsored by the City of Bloomington.
- Low Interest Loans (optional) – If needed, loans are available through IFF to help fund energy efficiency projects. These lending opportunities are also available for eligible organizations who are not participating in the program.
Additional Rebates and Tax Incentives
- Duke Energy Rebates
- Duke Energy provides a number of rebates for energy efficiency upgrades. Duke Energy’s Small Business Energy Saver program offers up to 80% discounts in energy efficiency upgrades for non-residential customers. Participation in the Small Business Energy Saver program is limited to organizations whose annual energy demand is 180kW or less
- If you need help determining your businesses energy usage, please reference the “How to Find Your Energy Usage” Guide attached at the bottom of this page.
- Duke customers can also purchase products directly from the Duke Energy Business Savings store. Products included as part of the grant must be pre-approved prior to purchase and reimbursement.
- Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction
- The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction is an additional financial incentive for interior lighting, building envelope, or heating/cooling/ventilation system upgrades based on energy savings. Building owners should follow IRS instructions to claim the deduction at the point of tax filing.
Eligible Organizations
- Nonprofits: tax exempt (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6)) organizations are eligible for the program. Employee benefit associations, social welfare organizations, and business leagues are also eligible.
- Note: Religious organizations are eligible to participate for facilities that are non-proselytizing and do not promote religious doctrine or instruction.
- Schools: schools must be categorized as tax exempt charitable organizations. Early Childhood Centers: child care centers or early education centers must be categorized as not for profit organizations.
- Libraries: libraries must be categorized as tax-exempt.
- Healthcare facilities: healthcare facilities must be categorized as not for profit organizations.
- Grocery stores: grocery stores must be categorized as nonprofit organizations.
- Businesses: Small businesses are defined as those having less than 500 full-time employees, and meet the additional qualifications below.
- Other governmental and for-profit residential property management entities are not eligible for this program.
Eligible organizations must also:
- Own or rent a facility located within Bloomington city limits. Organizations that rent their facility must have the owner of the facility provide permission to participate in the program.
- Facility must be a minimum of 3,000 square feet.
- Have at least one part or full time staff member to serve as the program point of contact.
Grant availability is based on program capacity and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis by the dates listed on the information pages below. If capacity is reached in a cohort, the application portal will close until the cohort deadline has passed. Grants are subject to availability until funding is exhausted for 2023.
For more information, visit City of Bloomington.
