Responses are due Friday, October 15, 2021
For complete Call for Proposals and instructions on how to apply, please see 2021 Community Outreach Grant
Overview
Does your organization work with residents in San Mateo County or in the City of Los Banos? 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 or in the City of Los Banos.
Grant Program Eligibility
All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or their fiscally sponsored projects with an established track record of public outreach, communications, providing social services, or case management in San Mateo County or the City of Los Banos are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Grant Program Goals
Peninsula Clean Energy invites nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to fund collaboration with our outreach team to provide accurate information about Peninsula Clean Energy and/or help enroll your constituents in our programs. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $40,000 per outreach project for work to be completed within one year. Organizations may apply for funding for more than one project.
All proposed workplans 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 3-7 are oriented toward organizations reaching underserved communities, including low-income residents. Goals 8-10 focus on reaching broad public audiences.
Goals for All Grants
- Communicate basic messages about Peninsula Clean Energy: through providing cleaner energy at lower rates, Peninsula Clean Energy is an essential part of the fight against climate change in our communities
- Explain how Peninsula Clean Energy savings appear on residential energy bills
Goals for Grants Focused on Low-Income and Underserved Communities
- Communicate eligibility for Medical Baseline, CARE, FERA and other discount programs, and help customers enroll
- Help residents avoid the PG&E disconnection process
- Conduct outreach around Peninsula Clean Energy’s used electric vehicle programs
- Conduct outreach around Peninsula Clean Energy’s forthcoming income-qualified home upgrade program
- Conduct outreach for other income-qualified programs from Peninsula Clean Energy as they are launched
Priority audience: Low-income residents of San Mateo County or Los Banos
Goals for Grants Focused on Public Education
- Resilience and Distributed Energy Resources (DER): Inform residents about Peninsula Clean Energy’s residential backup battery, resilience programs, and other Distributed Energy Resources (DER) programs
- 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
- Building Electrification: Educate residents and key community influencers about the benefits of building electrification and specific programs and incentives. Examples include education on heat pump water heaters, induction cooking, and on-bill financing.
- Climate Action Planning: Actively engage community members in climate change planning and empowering them to take action
- Conduct outreach for other programs from Peninsula Clean Energy as they are launched
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 or Los Banos residents, including community leaders and influencers
Grant Application Process and Requirements
Please send email application materials by October 15, 2021 to Vanessa Shin, vshin@peninsulacleanenergy.com with the subject line “Community Outreach Grant Application.” All application materials are due on October 15, 2021.
The estimated timeline for this process is outlined below. This timeline is subject to change.
| Event | Date |
| Call for Applications posted | September 8 |
| Questions due for Q&A. Please send questions to Vanessa Shin, vshin@peninsulacleanenergy.com with the subject line “Community Outreach Grant Questions” | September 17 |
| Q&A posted on Peninsula Clean Energy website | October 4 |
| Proposals due | October 15 |
| Applicants notified of status | December 1 |
| Grant award letters signed | December 15 |
| Grant period begins | January 1, 2022 |
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
Submit questions to Vanessa Shin by September 17, 2021 vshin@peninsulacleanenergy.com