The Spark Grant is a new program funded by Energize Delaware’s Empowerment Grant.
Donor Name: Energize Delaware
State: Delaware
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/31/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $25,000
Details:
It is a new grant program developed to fund energy efficiency improvements (also referred to as energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades) and ENERGY STAR rated products for minority-owned small businesses and microbusinesses in low- and moderate-income communities in Delaware, particularly in Opportunity Zones. Its purpose is to support energy equity and environmental justice and provide access to sustainable business improvements and rewards, including cost savings and overall enhanced brand value.
To complement funding energy efficiency improvements, the Spark Grant also includes a one-year membership to the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Greater Philadelphia which operates in Delaware. SBN will educate Spark Grant awardees regarding sustainable business practices and provide a support contact and network.
The Spark Grant will be awarded to twenty (20) diverse small businesses and/or microbusinesses in Delaware.
The Spark Grant is designed to support energy equity and environmental justice in the following ways:
- The Spark Grant provides a new opportunity for diverse small businesses and microbusinesses, particularly those in low- and moderate-income communities, to access, participate in, and benefit from a relevant energy efficiency improvement program that will reduce their energy bills (energy burdens).
- Energize Delaware provided structured opportunities for input from community based organizations that serve low- and moderate-income communities. Energize Delaware will continue to engage with low- and moderate-income community leaders to ensure that the Spark Grant is an impactful tool that is relevant to diverse small businesses and microbusinesses.
- Energize Delaware also connected with low- and moderate-income community based organizations dedicated to supporting diverse small businesses and microbusinesses to advance effective engagement pathways and communicate the Spark Grant opportunity.
- To ensure procedural equity, the Spark Grant Review Committee is comprised of diverse business representatives, including the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
Benefits
In addition to advancing energy equity in low- and moderate-income communities in Delaware, the Spark Grant fosters energy-smart and sustainable diverse small businesses and microbusinesses and cultivates green business leaders. It also contributes to creating a safe and comfortable workspace, increases employee productivity, reduces maintenance needs, and contributes to community economic and climate resilience.
Funding Information
- Energize Delaware anticipates awarding Spark Grants to twenty (20) diverse small businesses and/or microbusinesses. Each diverse small business and/or microbusiness approved for the Spark Grant will have up to $25,000 available to fund energy efficiency improvements and/or ENERGY STAR rated products for their business, whether that business location is an owned or leased commercial space or in their home.
- Given Spark Grant’s $25,000 cap per awarded business, the Spark Grant may not be able to fund all the energy efficiency improvements that each business needs. Funds from additional grants may be necessary to implement all desired energy efficiency efforts. Energize Delaware has rebate and low interest loan options that may help complete work begun through the Spark Grant. In addition, many applicants may not need to utilize the full available budget of $25,000 for their energy efficiency improvements. This will potentially allow more diverse small businesses and/or microbusinesses to receive Spark Grant support than the initial twenty. No business will be financially responsible for any Spark Grant energy efficiency improvement costs.
Eligible Activities
Diverse small businesses and microbusinesses can save money on energy bills and improve comfort by making energy-efficiency improvements and/or using ENERGY STAR rated products. Eligible energy efficiency improvements will be recommended to all Spark Grant applicants in an Energy Audit Report after an energy audit is completed at their business location. An Energy Audit Report will be provided that prioritizes and lists relevant energy efficiency improvements, such as:
- Seal attic air leaks
- LED lighting upgrades
- Add insulation in attics, crawl spaces, and basement rim joists
- Replace the HVAC system
- Caulk and weatherstrip windows that have air leaks
- Install a heat pump or heat pump water heater
- Replace air conditioner and furnace filters
- Install a programmable thermostat
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible to receive the Spark Grant, the applicant must be an existing diverse, for-profit, small business or microbusiness that operates in Delaware and is responsible for its energy costs. It is recommended that the applicant be licensed in Delaware. Additionally, it is preferred that the applicant be from a lowand moderate-income community in Delaware, or that their business or microbusiness is in a low- and moderate-income community.
- If the applicant’s household income is 80% or less of the U.S. Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) household median income limits, they request that the applicant fill out an attestation form, titled ‘Spark Grant Diverse Business or Microbusiness-Owner Self-Attestation Regarding Qualifying Income ‘ in the portal, using the below HUD limits.
- Energize Delaware is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion for all programs that it supports. The aim of their programs is to encourage an environment that is truly representative of all sections of society, and for communities and Delawareans to feel respected and able to give their best. Energize Delaware, in supporting the provision of goods, services and facilities, is also committed to an environment that prohibits unlawful discrimination. This grant is available to eligible diverse businesses. A Diverse Business is one where 51% or more of the ownership and control of the daily operations of the business comprises minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, and/or LGBTQ+ individuals.
- If the applicant does not own the commercial or residential space where the business is located, the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be signed by the lessor of the applicant’s commercial or residential space and submitted with the applicant’s pre-application. The MOU states that the lessor pledges to permit the lessee to install the energy efficiency improvements identified in the energy audit report that are approved if the applicant is awarded a Spark Grant. Additionally, the MOU states that the lessor will not increase the rent due to these energy efficiency improvements
For more information, visit Energize Delaware.
