Communities Building Solar Capacity (CBSC) Mini-Grant Guidelines

PURPOSE 

Communities Building Solar Capacity (CBSC) program mini-grants are available to support participating CBOs in their pursuit of community-led and community-owned renewable energy project development in their local communities. Mini-grants can be used to fund events (e.g., teach-ins, workshops, lunch-and-learns), projects (e.g., feasibility studies, project modeling, data collection), or other expenses related to project pre-development or early-stage development. To expedite the review and enhance accountability and reporting, the form asks you to detail the purpose, timeline, and budget breakdown for any events or projects for which funding is needed.

GRANT SIZE

Mini-grants are generally between $2,000 – $5,000 each, and each participating organization may only request one mini-grant per round. 

Applicants may apply for up to a maximum allotment per organization of $5,000 over the 10-week course of the CBSC program. You will receive an update regarding your organization’s remaining balance each time an award decision is made.

 

CRITERIA

Participants eligible to receive mini-grant funding fulfill the following requirements:

• Actively engages in the CBSC program (i.e., attends program webinars and workshops, submits all necessary items in a timely manner)
• Has submitted their organization’s capacity assessment
• Actively pursues community-led or community-owned renewable energy project development or community-led alternatives through activities related to community engagement, project research, etc.

PAYOUT & REPORTING

Payment will be made via ACH payment to the bank account of the organization or its fiscal sponsor. 

Reporting – following a simple PSEF template of just a few questions – shall occur within 3 months after the grant (i.e. 1 month after the max 2-month grant period).

Prior to submitting an application, please ensure that your organization has submitted confirmation of an organizational bank account (e.g., bank statement, bank letter, or written affirmation for the existence of an account) and a completed W-9 form.

If you have questions or need clarification about any items in this form, please contact the Capacity Building Programs Manager, Lee Bowser at lbowser@psef.network.  

Please note that a completed application consists of:

1. Confirmation of agreement with these guidelines, complete with signature 
2. Brief statement of grant purpose
3. All questions completed
4. Any supporting documents related to the questions below