Energy efficiency grants for schools
January 26, 2024 12:17 PM Subscribe
What grants are available to private non-profit schools for building energy upgrades in Washington State, specifically in Seattle?
I’ve found a few promising things by Googling, but when I’ve reached out it’s turned out there is no more funding allocated or the cycle for awards is still TBD. We’re hoping to get funding to do ~$400k-600k of work to replace ancient HVAC units with new, ideally for a project to be done this summer (2024). The units we need have a lead time of about 6 months, so we’d need a grant award ASAP (realizing this may be unrealistic, but the units are breaking repeatedly and any money we spend fixing them is basically money lost at this point).
Anyone have suggestions of where we might look for appropriate grants/incentives/etc?
I’ve found a few promising things by Googling, but when I’ve reached out it’s turned out there is no more funding allocated or the cycle for awards is still TBD. We’re hoping to get funding to do ~$400k-600k of work to replace ancient HVAC units with new, ideally for a project to be done this summer (2024). The units we need have a lead time of about 6 months, so we’d need a grant award ASAP (realizing this may be unrealistic, but the units are breaking repeatedly and any money we spend fixing them is basically money lost at this point).
Anyone have suggestions of where we might look for appropriate grants/incentives/etc?
Maybe: EERE/BOT “Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies" at grants.gov; invests up to $30M (subject to appropriations) across four topic areas including "Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and Water Heating;" closes March 5.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:02 PM on January 26
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:02 PM on January 26
Ruminating on this a little more, I feel like your best bet is going to be a private foundation and/or major donor who can get you the $ you need right away. Candid's Foundation Directory Online, like I said above, is where I'd start if I didn't have an existing relationship with the kind of foundation/donor(s) who could turn this around quickly. Seattle Public Library can hook you up with Candid's FDO.
In your situation, I'd still look at government grants, but knowing how bloated those timelines can be even when everything goes perfectly and everyone is fully staffed (EPA in particular Is Not fully staffed at the moment)—and how many administrative headaches come attached to federal grants—I'd be looking at government grants in the context of longer-term improvements to complement the HVAC upgrade. You may need to try to get some kind of emergency funding from a private foundation or major donor to get this done if the need is as urgent as it sounds.
posted by Suedeltica at 2:10 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
In your situation, I'd still look at government grants, but knowing how bloated those timelines can be even when everything goes perfectly and everyone is fully staffed (EPA in particular Is Not fully staffed at the moment)—and how many administrative headaches come attached to federal grants—I'd be looking at government grants in the context of longer-term improvements to complement the HVAC upgrade. You may need to try to get some kind of emergency funding from a private foundation or major donor to get this done if the need is as urgent as it sounds.
posted by Suedeltica at 2:10 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
Seconding Seattle Public Library resources, incl. customized assistance. WA grant resources at tgci.com. You may not think about the [Washington State] Department of Commerce when your school gets a new HVAC system, saving on heating costs and improving comfort ... Some of our most visible work is the result of reimbursement-style grants we provide to local governments and nonprofit organizations to help communities build and improve a variety of public facilities.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:23 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:23 PM on January 26 [1 favorite]
Have you looked into Energy Performance Contracts? Companies that provide these services will guarantee that their energy upgrades will perform properly over a certain period (i.e. your savings on your energy spends will go down by x% per year for the next 10 years, or something like that), and will find all available funding, including grants, rebates, etc.
I work for a company that provides these services: https://www.se.com/us/en/work/services/sustainability-business/performance-contracting/
posted by skwm at 2:37 PM on January 26
I work for a company that provides these services: https://www.se.com/us/en/work/services/sustainability-business/performance-contracting/
posted by skwm at 2:37 PM on January 26
Hi, I'm a Washington state non-profit guy, but I'm not in the education sector, and also I'm in Eastern Washington, which is a very different environment. The bad news is that I don't know of any grant opportunities that will fund on your requested timeline. Government moves slowly. The good news is that you shouldn't let that stop you.
Most of the advice here is good, and you should definitely be seeking out the local expert services recommended. I have two additional areas for you to look into that no one else has mentioned, as well as two specific warnings you are going to need to account for.
1. In Washington state, most of the type of grants you are looking for come from the Department of Commerce. I've linked to a grant landing page, but you should probably do a bunch more Googling because I'm suspicious that not every program is listed there. Bonus recommendation: Check with OSPI, the state education authority. If anyone knows of infrastructure grants for private schools, it will be them.
2. Another and arguably more important way to fund these projects within the state comes from legislative apportionment. Our state senators and representatives negotiate a big pot of pork during budget talks. They will each get $500K or similar amount, and then get to give it out to projects in their districts. For example, in my Eastern Washington district, our three representatives work together, and they call it "Member Requested Local Community Project Application." Your reps may call it something different, but they will definitely have it. Make an effort to show how this benefits the whole community, and how so many voters will be grateful. There have been several occasions where legislators have stopped me during a presentation and said, "That sounds good, I'll set aside $150K for you in my budget." It seems like $100-300K are the usual amounts we are talking about here. Bad news-- for my local legislative office, the application form was due yesterday. Hopefully your reps have a different deadline, or you can at least set it up for the next biennium. By the way, this is the last year of the current biennium (budget cycle) so the amounts will be less. Next year is a new cycle, new amounts, potentially larger awards.
Now the warnings--
You are talking about modifying a building with air conditioners. There are two very important factors you need to add to your planning.
1. In October 2023, a new comprehensive construction code went into effect in the state. You absolutely positively MUST make sure your engineering plans meet the new code requirements. Not doing this will almost certainly result in your request being denied. Make sure your architect or contractor knows the new code, and boldly annotates on the blueprints that this work conforms to the new standard.
2. Similar code issue-- Washington state has a new Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS). Because this is a school and not housing, you may not be required to meet ESDS standards, but you should definitely answer that question before you apply. And also, if you can meet ESDS in the rennovation request, it will add to the chances of the project being funded.
Finally, what you are requesting is often called building "preservation" by people in the industry. So just knowing that term to search for can be helpful. Here is another landing page with some options on it from the Department of Archaeology. In addition to the obvious choices, I'd say look at the Building Communities grants which are opening up this spring. And finally, don't overlook cities-- they have preservation and historic funds as well. My organization just got $11.5K from the City of Ellensburg to redo our 100-year-old windows with modern energy efficient solutions. That's pretty similar to what you want.
There are a lot of energy efficient mini-split systems that are a good fit, and will provide heating and cooling from the same unit. Over the years, we've found that Mitsubishi is the best brand.
Best of luck with your project!
posted by seasparrow at 2:00 PM on January 27
Most of the advice here is good, and you should definitely be seeking out the local expert services recommended. I have two additional areas for you to look into that no one else has mentioned, as well as two specific warnings you are going to need to account for.
1. In Washington state, most of the type of grants you are looking for come from the Department of Commerce. I've linked to a grant landing page, but you should probably do a bunch more Googling because I'm suspicious that not every program is listed there. Bonus recommendation: Check with OSPI, the state education authority. If anyone knows of infrastructure grants for private schools, it will be them.
2. Another and arguably more important way to fund these projects within the state comes from legislative apportionment. Our state senators and representatives negotiate a big pot of pork during budget talks. They will each get $500K or similar amount, and then get to give it out to projects in their districts. For example, in my Eastern Washington district, our three representatives work together, and they call it "Member Requested Local Community Project Application." Your reps may call it something different, but they will definitely have it. Make an effort to show how this benefits the whole community, and how so many voters will be grateful. There have been several occasions where legislators have stopped me during a presentation and said, "That sounds good, I'll set aside $150K for you in my budget." It seems like $100-300K are the usual amounts we are talking about here. Bad news-- for my local legislative office, the application form was due yesterday. Hopefully your reps have a different deadline, or you can at least set it up for the next biennium. By the way, this is the last year of the current biennium (budget cycle) so the amounts will be less. Next year is a new cycle, new amounts, potentially larger awards.
Now the warnings--
You are talking about modifying a building with air conditioners. There are two very important factors you need to add to your planning.
1. In October 2023, a new comprehensive construction code went into effect in the state. You absolutely positively MUST make sure your engineering plans meet the new code requirements. Not doing this will almost certainly result in your request being denied. Make sure your architect or contractor knows the new code, and boldly annotates on the blueprints that this work conforms to the new standard.
2. Similar code issue-- Washington state has a new Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS). Because this is a school and not housing, you may not be required to meet ESDS standards, but you should definitely answer that question before you apply. And also, if you can meet ESDS in the rennovation request, it will add to the chances of the project being funded.
Finally, what you are requesting is often called building "preservation" by people in the industry. So just knowing that term to search for can be helpful. Here is another landing page with some options on it from the Department of Archaeology. In addition to the obvious choices, I'd say look at the Building Communities grants which are opening up this spring. And finally, don't overlook cities-- they have preservation and historic funds as well. My organization just got $11.5K from the City of Ellensburg to redo our 100-year-old windows with modern energy efficient solutions. That's pretty similar to what you want.
There are a lot of energy efficient mini-split systems that are a good fit, and will provide heating and cooling from the same unit. Over the years, we've found that Mitsubishi is the best brand.
Best of luck with your project!
posted by seasparrow at 2:00 PM on January 27
« Older Is it covid safe to visit my grandma after minor... | One person is getting "delivery failure" on my... Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
If you’re in Seattle, you can also access Candid’s Foundation Directory Online at the downtown branch of the public library, and that’s my favorite way to search grants. Private foundations would be likeliest to have the flexibility to work with your urgent timeline.
Are you or anyone on your team involved with the Puget Sound Grantwriters Association? They can be helpful with stuff like this, e.g. via their listserv.
Oh and if you haven’t yet gotten into the weeds with our State Department of Ecology, I’d spend some time there too.
posted by Suedeltica at 1:22 PM on January 26 [2 favorites]