Exploring Grant Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects in Ohio
Ohio’s businesses and non-profit organizations have many programs to help with funding energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. These include both grant and financing options. In this Tips Post, we are going to focus on the grant opportunities that are available in Ohio. We will follow up later this month with financing options.
USDA Grants
The USDA offers various programs aimed at promoting energy efficiency in rural areas. One such program is the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which provides grant funding and loan guarantee to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Energy efficiency projects may be eligible for up to $500,000 or 50% in grants. Renewable energy systems may be eligible for up to $1,000,000 or 50% in grants.
Between 2018 and 2022, USDA invested over $6 million in Ohio for REAP energy projects. (https://www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act/rural-energy-america-program-reap).
Energility has advised clients on the USDA grant program from performing energy audits to assisting in the grant application submission.
CDBG Grants
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has been administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for almost 30 years. They allocate funding for every metropolitan area with at least 50,000 people and counties with at least 200,000 people for the purpose of improving urban communities. The goal is to distribute funds to projects that have a high impact on a large number of people, housing, and employment.
Energility can help. In 2021, we helped develop the scope and grant request for Central Community House to obtain a $915,000 grant for building capital improvements (HVAC, controls, roof).
Nonprofit Grants
Nonprofit organizations also have the opportunity to access a range of grants that aim to promote and encourage energy efficiency. These grants, while diverse in their eligibility criteria and associated benefits, primarily seek to support renewable energy initiatives, conduct energy audits, and implement energy-saving projects.
Renew America’s Nonprofits Grant Program: This program will provide up to $200,000 for energy efficiency projects in buildings owned and operated by nonprofits. The grant is currently pending award to a prime recipient: the prime recipient will develop a program to award grants to the nonprofit organizations.
Faith Communities Go Green has a great toolkit which includes the different faith denominations resources for sustainability projects.
Energility has helped nonprofit organizations get over $2,000,000 in grant funding for energy audits and project implementation grants.
ODOD Grants
The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) provides grants for energy audits and implementation. These grants aim to promote energy efficiency within Ohio’s businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits, and schools and hospitals by helping them identify and implement energy-saving measures.
Cost share for energy audits is 50 to 75%. The project implementation grants vary.
Energility has used our expertise to help dozens of commercial and nonprofit organizations benefit from the State Energy Program run by ODOD and access funding for their operations.
In summary, with additional funding, an organization can meet its energy goals whether that is reducing its carbon footprint, saving money, or both. Energility can navigate the available grant opportunities, which are more than just financial assistance—they’re investments in our community, economy, and environment. By improving energy efficiency, we can reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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