RFP – 2020 Community Outreach Grant

Responses are due Friday, October 30, 2020

For complete RFP and instructions on how to apply, please see 2020 Community Outreach Grant

RFP Overview

Does your organization work with residents in San Mateo County? Harness the power of your existing communications, outreach, and services to help the environment and assist residents in saving money at the same time.

Peninsula Clean Energy invites applications for grants up to $40,000 to collaborate on outreach to residents in San Mateo County.

Grant Program Eligibility

All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, their fiscally sponsored projects, or local government agencies with an established track record of public outreach, communications, providing social services, or case management in San Mateo County are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Grant Program Goals

The goals of the program are to collaborate with trusted local nonprofits to increase knowledge of the following key messages among residents and community leaders in San Mateo County.

All proposed work plans should include general outreach and education about Peninsula Clean Energy (goals 1 and 2 below). In addition, proposals should also address any combination of additional goals as described below (3-10). Goals 3-6 are oriented toward organizations reaching underserved communities, including low-income residents. Goals 7-10 focus on reaching broad public audiences.

Goals for All Grants

  1. Communicate basic messages about Peninsula Clean Energy: providing cleaner energy at lower rates for all of San Mateo County
  2. Explain how Peninsula Clean Energy savings appear on residential energy bills

Goals for Grants Focused on Low-Income and Underserved Communities

  1. Communicate eligibility for Medical Baseline, CARE, FERA and other discount programs, and help customers enroll
  2. Help residents avoid the PG&E disconnection process
  3. Conduct outreach around Peninsula Clean Energy’s used electric vehicle programs
  4. Conduct outreach around Peninsula Clean Energy’s forthcoming low-income home upgrade program

Priority audience: Low-income residents of San Mateo County

Goals for Grants Focused on Public Education

  1. Resilience and Distributed Energy Resources (DER): Inform residents about Peninsula Clean Energy’s Power on Peninsula residential backup battery, resilience programs, and other forthcoming Distributed Energy Resources (DER) programs especially for low-income populations and disadvantaged communities
  2. Electric Vehicles: Educate residents and key community influencers about the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs), how to adopt them, and Peninsula Clean Energy programs supporting EVs
  3. Building Electrification: Educate residents and key community influencers about the benefits of building electrification and specific programs and incentives. Examples include education on induction cooktops or heat pump water heaters
  4. Climate Action Planning: Actively engage community members in climate change planning

Benefits of EVs, backup power, and electric appliances should include financial, health, safety, and environmental considerations. Other considerations may be included where appropriate.

Priority audience: All San Mateo County residents, including community leaders and influencers

Grant Application Process and Requirements

To apply, email the application materials to Carlos Moreno, cmoreno@peninsulacleanenergy.com with the subject line “Community Outreach Grant Application.” All application materials are due on October 30, 2020.

Each request may be made in an amount up to $40,000 per project. Grants will be paid 50% up front, and 50% upon receipt of a brief mid-cycle progress report.

Complete applications must include:

  • Narrative (up to 5 pages)
  • Work plan using table format provided below
  • For nonprofit organization, your 501(c)(3) letter OR fiscal sponsor materials

Questions may be sent to Carlos Moreno: cmoreno@peninsulacleanenergy.com.

RFP Documents