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GoodUse Program to help Nonprofits Improve Facility Efficiency

Catalyzed by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and The Kendeda Fund, Southface Institute launched the GoodUse program to help nonprofits improve the efficiency of their facilities so they can redirect the cost savings to their core missions.

Donor Name: Southface Institute

State: Selected States

County: Charlotte County (FL), DeSoto County (FL), Manatee County (FL)

Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants

Deadline: 04/11/2025

Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000

Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned

Details:

GoodUse provides matching grants for historic buildings and other existing building retrofits.

Nonprofit sustainability upgrades, like efficient HVAC systems and LED lighting, create healthier, more comfortable spaces for staff, volunteers, and constituents. GoodUse empowers nonprofits to have a lasting impact on the environment and the communities they serve.

Funding Information

  • Southeast States
    • Funding only applies to existing buildings for energy efficiency upgrades, excluding solar.
      • Organizations with an annual operating budget below $1 million are eligible for a granted amount of up to $100,000 from Southface, and your NPO provides up to $25,000 of cost share. 4:1 match ratio based on total project costs of up to $125,000.
      • Organizations with an annual operating budget at/above $1 million are eligible for a granted amount of up to $120,000 from Southface, and your NPO provides up to $80,000 of cost share. 3:2 match ratio based on total project costs of up to $200,000.
  • Mid-Atlantic States
    • Funding applies to existing buildings for any utility efficiency upgrades, excluding solar.
      • Organizations with an annual operating budget below $1 million are eligible for a granted amount of up to $40,000 from Southface, and your NPO provides up to $20,000 of cost share. 2:1 match ratio based on total project costs of up to $60,000.
      • Organizations with an annual operating budget at/above $1 million are eligible for a granted amount of up to $40,000 from Southface, and your NPO provides up to $80,000 of cost share. 1:2 match ratio based on total project costs of up to $120,000.
  • SW Florida
    • Funding applies to existing buildings for any utility efficiency upgrades, excluding solar.
      • Organizations with an annual operating budget below $1 million are eligible for a granted amount of up to $40,000 from Southface, and your NPO provides up to $20,000 of cost share. 2:1 match ratio based on total project costs of up to $60,000.
      • Organizations with an annual operating budget at/above $1 million are eligible for a granted amount of up to$75,000 from Southface, and your NPO provides up to $75,000 of cost share. 1:1 match ratio based on total project costs of up to $150,000.

Common Projects

GoodUse supports a wide range of projects aimed at utility savings, including HVAC upgrades, LED lighting and controls, WiFi-enabled programmable thermostats, insulation and air sealing, building automation systems, and more. If a project can reduce utility costs, it may qualify for funding through the program.

Kinds of Projects

GoodUse boosts the sustainability of nonprofit organizations through foundation- and government-funded grants for HVAC systems, LED lighting, and other efficiency upgrades. When a nonprofit receives a GoodUse grant, the experts help identify high-impact improvements, support implementation, and ensure projects deliver results.

Eligibility Requirements 

  • Eligibility Requirements for Southeast States
    • The building must be in the following states: AL, GA, FL, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN.
    • Federally registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
    • Sam.gov account and a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number
    • Must own and operate the building.
    • Cannot take part in lobbying activities that have been secured to influence the outcome of a federal action
    • Strong organizational health and must meet our cost share requirements which are based on the location’s operating budget. Federal funding cannot be used towards cost share.
    • If the organization is religious, the organization is only eligible if 50% or less of their space is dedicated to religious activities. Religious organizations must also offer non-religious programs to all.
    • Organizations must have/set up an Energy Star Portfolio Manager account with the previous year’s utility data before the award date.
    • Projects must comply to the following standards:
    • Existing buildings only. This grant either supports minor renovations of a building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying or major renovations/gut rehab of an existing building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying and does not require a ground disturbance permit.
  • Eligibility Requirements for Mid-Atlantic States
    • The building must be in the following states: DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WDC, WV.
    • Federally registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
    • Must own or long term lease (5+years) the building.
    • Strong organizational health and must meet our cost share requirements which are based on the NPO’s operating budget.
    • If the organization is religious, the organization is only eligible if 50% or less of their space is dedicated to religious activities. Religious organizations must also offer non-religious programs to all.
    • Organizations must have/set up an Energy Star Portfolio Manager account with the previous year’s utility data before the award date.
    • Existing buildings only. This grant either supports minor renovations of a building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying or major renovations/gut rehab of an existing building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying and does not require a ground disturbance permit.
  • Eligibility Requirements for SW Florida
    • The building must be located in Sarasota, FL or Desoto, Manatee, or Charlotte counties.
    • Federally registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
    • Must own or long term lease (5+years) the building.
    • Strong organizational health and must meet our cost share requirements which are based on the NPO’s operating budget.
    • If the organization is religious, the organization is only eligible if 50% or less of their space is dedicated to religious activities. Religious organizations must also offer non-religious programs to all.
    • Organizations must have/set up an Energy Star Portfolio Manager account with the previous year’s utility data before the award date.
    • Existing buildings only. This grant either supports minor renovations of a building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying or major renovations/gut rehab of an existing building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying and does not require a ground disturbance permit.

For more information, visit Southface Institute.

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