Sustainability Project Funding

Sustainability Project Funding

Securing the necessary funding is crucial to implementing almost any sustainability project. For senior living communities aiming to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and work towards net-zero emissions, obtaining financial resources is paramount. Below is a collection of resources curated by SSAFE to help research funding opportunities for sustainability projects.

DSIRE.org: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency® Use this tool to search for funding available in your state.

Chat GPT:  Using AI (artificial intelligence) in your research may be controversial but it has proven useful for at least one SSAFE Chapter.
💡Tip: Use a query like, “List sources of funding for a [use your state here] not-for-profit senior living organization’s existing buildings and infrastructure climate mitigation projects.”

💡Tip: After creating a list of potential funding sources, you can narrow down your options using successive ChatGPT queries. The more specific your queries, the more detailed and useful the information will be, including details on funding preferences, application requirements, conditions, and processes. Keep in mind that ChatGPT may not always be accurate, so it’s important to verify the information by checking the funder’s official website.

Energy Department’s Office of State and Community Programs: The U.S. Department of Energy’s $50 million Renew America’s Nonprofits Program aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve health and safety, and lower utility costs in 501(c)(3) nonprofit buildings by funding energy efficiency improvements, fostering partnerships, and generating sustainable savings for mission-driven work. 

Rewiring America: Rewiring America is an electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying homes, businesses, and communities. Under “Policy Hub” you will find information on the Inflation Reduction Act fact sheets and other research tools.

IRA Grant Application: It remains to be seen if this direct registration process is relevant for senior living communities. Please contact us if you have information about applying for an IRA grant directly.

Do you know about other tools and resources? Contact us with your suggestions.