Community Benefits Grant Program

The Community Benefits Grant Program is an innovative partnership between Clean Power Alliance (CPA) and Calpine Energy Solutions. This annual program provides grant funding to organizations working to advance clean energy, green jobs, environmental education and stewardship, and energy equity and diversity in the communities that CPA serves.

The 2022 application period begins on August 1, 2022. Applications are due by 5 pm, September 16, 2022. 

About the 2022 Community Benefits Grant Program
Who is eligible to receive a Community Benefits Grant?

Eligible applicants must be an IRS-designated 501©3 non-profit organization serving the areas where CPA provides electricity. Qualifying projects must fall within the priority focus areas outlined below.

Please note that funding is not permitted for political action committees, trade associations, government entities, or political candidates.

2021 Community Benefits Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the 2022 grants.

What are the priority focus areas?
  • Renewable Energy Research/Planning

  • Clean Energy in Disadvantaged Communities

  • Green Workforce Development

  • Energy & Environmental Education

How much are the grant awards?
Awards will range from $5,000 to $30,000 for a one-year grant term.
What is the application and selection timeline?
    • August 1, 2022 - The application period opens. Interested organizations may apply at www.cleanpoweralliance.org/calpinegrant/
    • September 16 – The application period closes. All applications and relevant attachments must be submitted by September 16 at 5 pm.

    • September 16 – October 7 – Application evaluation period

      • October 14 – Grant awardees notified

    • November 24 - Grant funds disbursed by this date

Where can I apply?
Interested nonprofit and community-based organizations can download an application at https://cleanpoweralliance.org/calpinegrant/. Applications are due by 5 pm on September 16, 2022, to communitybenefits@calpinesolutions.com
What supporting documents will I be required to submit with my application?

In addition to completing the 2022 Community Benefits Grant application, applicants must submit the following documents with their complete application to assist the selection committee in understanding the proposed use of requested funding:

 

If your organization is working with a fiscal sponsor, please provide:

  • A fiscal sponsorship letter taking responsibility for your organization’s fiscal administration.
  • A letter of request authorizing your organization to apply for the community benefits grant for the amount requested.
  • A Budget of the proposed project, program, or initiative (see attachment A in the application packet).
Are there any reporting requirements for grant recipients?

Awardees of the Community Benefits Grant must agree to the following reporting requirements:

1) Six-month post-award status report, including pictures and videos, a statement of expenditures to date, and a description of the progress of the project, as applicable.

2) One-year post-award interview, including pictures and videos, a statement of expenditures, and a project wrap-up summary. Note: During this interview, CPA, Calpine Energy Solutions, and the grant recipient’s staff will discuss the status of the granted project and its local impact.

What if I missed the application deadline? Will there be additional opportunities to apply for a grant?

The Community Benefits Grant Program is an ongoing program. There will be another call for grant applicants in the third quarter of 2023. Sign up for CPA’s monthly newsletter to be informed of when additional grant funds will be available. Visit www.cleanpoweralliance.org/#newsletter to join the mailing list.

Which communities does CPA serve?
Agoura Hills Hawthorne Simi Valley
Alhambra Malibu South Pasadena
Arcadia Manhattan Beach Temple City
Beverly Hills Moorpark Thousand Oaks
Calabasas Ojai Unincorporated Los Angeles County
Camarillo Oxnard Unincorporated Ventura County
Claremont Paramount Ventura
Carson Redondo Beach West Hollywood
Culver City Rolling Hills Estates Westlake Village
Downey Santa Monica Whittier
Hawaiian Gardens Sierra Madre
How is the Grant Program Managed?
Calpine Energy Solutions awards the program funding, while Clean Power Alliance determines the grant guidelines and project criteria and helps recruit nonprofit organizations to apply for funding. Both entities work together to assess grant applications.