Renew America's Nonprofits Grant Program is a grant from Sustainable Westchester and the U.S. Department of Energy that funds energy efficiency building upgrades for nonprofit organizations in New York State. The program supports projects that reduce energy use and costs in buildings owned and operated by nonprofits, covering improvements such as insulation, HVAC systems, lighting, and other energy conservation measures.

Subrecipient grants of up to $200,000 per nonprofit are available, limited to a single building per award. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that own buildings in New York State. The application period is currently closed while final selections are under review.

Renew America's Nonprofits Grant Program - Sustainable Westchester Renew America’s Nonprofits Grant Program A grant for New York State 501(c)(3) nonprofit buildings that need energy conservation improvements.

Sustainable Westchester is one of the nine nonprofits selected by the US Department of Energy to be awarded with the Renew America’s Nonprofit grant to help implement energy efficiency building upgrades for other nonprofit organizations in New York. Buildings owned and operated by nonprofit organizations in New York will be eligible to receive grant funds to support projects that reduce energy use and costs.

The program will support energy efficiency upgrades in buildings owned by nonprofits across New York State with subrecipient grants available of up to $200,000 per nonprofit and is limited to a single building per grant award. RAN applications are in the final stage of review. We are working with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to finalize our selections, and are awaiting the DOE’s approval.

Upon the approval of our selected grant recipients, we will reach out to all organizations shortly thereafter. If you have any questions, please contact us at Although the application period for the Renew America’s Nonprofits Grant has closed, getting an energy study done for your organization’s building is still a valuable investment.

If your organization is interested in getting an energy study, we recommend getting one through the NYSERDA Green Jobs Green NY program. New York nonprofits can get an energy study with a $100, $250, or $500 cost share (buildings <50,000 sq. ft.

are eligible). For buildings above the size limit please contact [email protected] . The organization seeking funding must: Own the building in NY state where upgrades are to be performed and must be able to provide proof of ownership Be able to provide its 501(c)(3) nonprofit determination letter granted by the IRS Have a SAM.

gov and active UEI registration number Be able to document the need for grant funding for improvements to reduce energy use and achieve savings for its building Not be debarred from accepting and using federal funds Click here for the December Webinar Slides Click here for the February Webinar Slides Frequently Asked Questions & Answers.

How to Find a Preferred Vendor Funding Resource Guide for Nonprofits PDF version of the application : to view the entire application before filling in the required information on JotForm. PLEASE NOTE: Applications will only be accepted when submitted through JotForm , the PDF version is only for viewing.

Property Ownership Documentation Guide Applications will be graded using this scorecard , please note the alternate scorecard on the last page. Disadvantaged Community Criteria : a document made by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group, pages 58-76 present examples of environmental burdens and climate change risks that disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.

Applications for buildings located in a federally designated disadvantaged community OR for organizations primarily serving members of a disadvantaged community will be more competitive, but all are encouraged to apply. To identify if your building is located in a disadvantaged community, use the mapping tool located here and enter your building’s address.

Sustainable Westchester is committed to DEIA goals and strives to award a majority of subrecipient grants in disadvantaged communities. The projects selected will have the goal of maximizing benefits to the community and local clean energy workforce.

Applications which include a plan to utilize the State’s Minority/Women Owned Business vendor list and prioritize diversity hiring and union labor to the extent possible will be scored highly.

A selection committee, composed of representatives from the nonprofit and business sectors, community engagement and workforce development professionals, engineers, and sustainability directors, has been established to develop the selection criteria. This committee will review applications from eligible nonprofit organizations and select 25 to 32 organizations to receive the grant.

Please refer to our scorecard to see what key elements should be included in your application and full point examples. This program is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State and Community Energy Program (SCEP) under the Renew America’s Nonprofits Program and 2022 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Energy Improvements at Nonprofits Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Award Number DE-SE-0001003.

Sustainable Westchester has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator. Make a donation to Sustainable Westchester here.

Success Stories and Testimonials Insulation and Air Sealing (Energy Efficiency) Heat Pump Hot Water Heater Renew America’s Nonprofits Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 College Internship Colgate University, Class of 2027 I am extremely grateful for the past year of my internship experience with Sustainable Westchester as a Remote College Intern.

This internship has provided me with a strong foundation of what it means to work at a nonprofit organization and how powerful they are in forming relationships / educating the public, while also helping me to narrow down my career interests and enhance my professional development skill set.

Focusing on the marketing and outreach for GridRewards I helped to coordinate logistics for a Girl Scout Heart of the Hudson x Sustainable Westchester partnership as well as communicating with local newspapers and promoting events.

Through this experience I had the opportunity to define a lot of my skills in communications and public speaking, while also honing in on my time management and maintaining my internship simultaneously with my course work. I look forward to building on this foundation in future roles and staying in touch with the connections I have established. “I serve as an informal energy advisor to our board.

About a year ago (2022) I started working with Logical Buildings to figure out how we could implement demand response in our building, which is a 194 unit condominium. We identified a number of different pieces of equipment that we could potentially shut off, with minimal effect on our occupants. Most centered on large air handling equipment, which on a hot day uses about 200 kilowatts of electricity.

We worked with the board and it was a team effort. We informed the tenants of what would take place, and worked with the building management (resident manager, handyman, etc.) to figure out the proper protocols, so we could communicate the information from Logical Buildings. Typically on a day ahead basis about an event.

The demand response events generally occurred about 2:00pm- 6:00pm on hot days, we essentially turned off the equipment before 2pm and after 6pm and at the end of the season we had a check for about $17,000 from Logical Buildings. We had a lot of large equipment to turn off, so that improved our results. It was well worth it and knowing we are helping the environment as well is icing on the cake.

” “Logical Buildings partnered with Comcast Smart Solutions to transform energy management at Comcast’s Boot Road campus in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Our SmartKit AI platform was deployed across the three-building campus, providing real-time energy monitoring, HVAC optimization, and predictive maintenance capabilities.

This comprehensive solution empowered the facilities team, led by Billy Osborne, with granular insights into energy consumption patterns, enabling them to identify and address inefficiencies, particularly during off-hours. The implementation of SmartKit AI has not only enhanced operational efficiency but also aligned perfectly with Comcast’s broader sustainability goals.

” “Jamestown Properties addressed energy inefficiencies at 88 Leonard using Logical Buildings’ SmartKit AI™. Deployed remotely, the platform swiftly reduced energy costs by over 10% through strategic measures like scheduling the rooftop pool’s electric heater. The result — improved sustainability metrics and valuable year-over-year outcomes.

” “UDR successfully addressed energy challenges at View 34, a luxury rental property in Manhattan’s Murray Hill, by partnering with Logical Buildings™ to implement the Real-Time Energy Management (RTEM) platform SmartKit AI™. The solution, featuring smart building meters and sensors, not only achieved sustainability targets but also led to substantial operating expense savings.

” “Edison Properties, owner of Manhattan Mini Storage, achieved significant energy savings and operational improvements with Logical Buildings’ RTEM platform, SmartKit AI TM , under the NYSERDA Real Time Energy Management Program. The advanced system streamlined operations, automated temperature adjustments, and enabled early fault detection, delivering a quick financial payback.

” Working with SW gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of sustainable system changes and the role communities play in pushing for climate action. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Class of 2028 I truly enjoyed my time working with the Solar team and all the Sustainable Westchester staff during my internship. It is a community filled with people who are genuinely passionate about their work and constantly trying to improve.

Working with SW has given me a unique insight into the workforce that you can’t get from many places and one that I will not forget! Time of Internship: June 17th through August 22nd College and Class: Case Western Reserve University, 2027 My internship at Sustainable Westchester was a great way to immerse myself in the facets of sustainability. Getting to know what was going around in this industry was also interesting and surprising.

Fordham University, Class of 2025 My time at Sustainable Westchester has been nothing short of transformative. I loved my time here and helping leading efforts to promote clean energy solutions and engaging with residents on the benefits of clean energy has deepened my commitment to sustainability and environmental justice.

This experience has shown me the power of community-driven initiatives in creating a more inclusive and sustainable county. It’s been an eye-opening journey that has reinforced my passion for making a tangible impact, one that aligns with my values and drives my desire to contribute to a greener, more equitable future.

Getting the opportunity to intern for Sustainable Westchester was an extremely rewarding and educational experience that provided me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge on clean energy and community outreach. Since I am looking forward to studying environmental science in the fall, this internship allowed me to explore new avenues of the field and get a better understanding of the kind of work I may go into in the future.

More specifically, I focused on promoting community events to the targeted audience and importing data from surveys to create a better view of energy needs and shortcomings among people of different backgrounds. I was also able to connect Sustainable Westchester with my school’s environmental club to help spread information about programs and initiatives to the student body and district.

Similar to that, I used a connection I had with the Mount Kisco food pantry to set up a table and educate the patrons about possible energy savings in their own homes. I really appreciated how the program is geared to show us as many meaningful experiences as possible and I am excited to continue applying the skills and knowledge I gained as I move forward into the field.

The George Washington University, Class of 2028 I went into my internship not knowing much about how environmental initiatives took place in my community, and I’m happy to say that at the end of it I now know so much more. Through my high school ASPIRE experience I was able to learn more about outreach in the community and the time and effort it takes to put together tabling events.

Not only this, but I had the opportunity to learn about programs such as GridRewards which are aimed at reducing the use of peaker power plants which can be very harmful towards the environment especially when the grid is under stress. I found this program to be very interesting and I hope to do more work with it in the future, including research on how it can be applied on a larger scale.

Lastly, I was able to develop interpersonal skills and gain an understanding of the inner workings of an office space and the work that goes into making everything run smoothly. Being able to work in a space with people as passionate about the environment as I am has really motivated me to continue to explore how I can make a difference.

I plan to take my first step towards change by studying International Relations with a concentration in environmental science at GWU, and I know that I will use my experience at Sustainable Westchester to guide me. Cornell University, Class of 2028 My experience at Sustainable Westchester’s senior experience program has significantly deepened my understanding of clean energy’s significant environmental impact.

With the help of the Sustainable Westchester team, I’ve had a welcoming introduction to this field of renewable energy. I’ve gained knowledge about technical aspects such as renewable heating and peaker power plants, while also being inspired by the organization members’ deep passion for the environment, motivating me to make lifestyle changes.

I found it incredibly rewarding to expand my knowledge of renewable energy through various events and community outreach opportunities. Rather than being confined to a desk, I was encouraged to take an active role in their initiatives and programs. At tabling events, I advised residents about community programs supporting the environment and their needs.

Additionally, lobbying in Albany for the NY Heat Act raised my awareness of state residents’ initiatives to improve legislation. Overall, my experience at Sustainable Westchester has not only deepened my passion for environmental science but also opened doors to exciting new career possibilities.

University of Delaware, Class of 2028 I had the opportunity to work with Sustainable Westchester as my high school internship and it turned out to be more than that. I learned so much that I feel I take with me long term. I’m going to be majoring in Environmental Policy and this was such a good introduction to the Environmental field.

People were so supportive of my specific topic and gave me guidance and information on that. The EnergySmartHomes, Grit Rewards, and other programs were very exciting to learn about because I knew there was active work being done in my community. I loved every event and project given to me and everything Sustainable has given me, thank you.

October 2023 – February 2024 McGill University, class of 2023 Sustainable Westchester’s Clean Energy internship program enriched my understanding of current sustainability initiatives and allowed me to contribute in a way that was personal and rewarding. I was able to table at outreach events and interact directly with Westchester residents, solidifying my notion that SW prioritizes engagement with communities.

Additionally, I had daily conversations with residents interested in the EnergySmartHomes program to answer questions or provide resources. Besides this, I was given the opportunity to work on multiple projects that combined my tech background with SW’s current campaigns, which allowed me to strengthen my skills as well as apply them to tangible goals.

All of this was only possible due to the encouragement and support of the wonderful team at SW, who always made sure to foster a positive learning environment for interns. This experience showed me the value of sustainability work at a local level and how impactful it can be in collaboration with other community groups.

I ultimately hope to combine my knowledge of clean energy technologies and incentives with my technical background to become proficient in energy data and analytics. Furthermore, I want to continue engaging with both local and international communities in important conversations about sustainability and next steps that can be taken. Thank you SW for an amazing experience!

My time as a Clean Energy Associate at Sustainable Westchester helped heighten my understanding of energy usage and solutions from my home, up to large scale buildings and municipalities. I was able to not only learn the technical side of how clean energy implementations and reductions can happen, but also how to reach community members whether that was speaking to someone directly, or planning an event.

My experience here allowed me to learn and explore different avenues of sustainability, thanks to the ever supportive team, and gave me the chance to obtain and sharpen certain skills that I can carry with me to my next role. Coming out of this experience, I have a much greater understanding of where I would like to focus my career, and am inspired to continue supporting and sharing the great work SW does for Westchester residents.

Croton Harmon High School Class of 2022 Working as an intern for Sustainable Westchester was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my senior year of high school. I hope to study environmental science in the future, so getting involved with a sustainability group in Westchester was both a great way to be involved with my community and to get experience before college.

In addition, while interning for Sustainable Westchester, I found a new passion of mine! I was given the opportunity to edit testimonial videos for the Sustainable Westchester website and I quickly found that I enjoyed learning how to edit and I was able to cultivate a new skill.

Not only was my work here rewarding, but all of the people I met during my internship were wonderful and always willing to help me out with my projects and I’m grateful I got to meet all of them! College: Northwestern University ’25 High School: John Jay High School ‘21 My time as an intern at Sustainable Westchester was a really valuable experience that allowed the interns the flexibility to explore their own interests.

I mainly worked on interviewing and profiling homeowners who had made energy upgrades to their homes and created case studies about their experiences. There were many different aspects of the case study project and all of the interns were able to work on a different aspect of it that suited their interests and abilities the best.

I was able to dive right in with interviewing, writing profiles, homeowner outreach, and even newsletter design, all of which prepared me really well to study journalism in college. I also learned a lot about the renewable energy industry in a very short amount of time. I feel confident that all of the skills I picked up at Sustainable Westchester will definitely serve me well in the future.

Fall 2021 Internship for College Credit Working with Lauren and Sustainable Westchester, I was exposed to a grassroots collective of like-minded individuals and citizens looking to tackle the challenge of reducing energy consumption and living a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. The team at Sustainable Westchester approached the many citizens of the different towns and villages as friends and not just business projections.

The project I got to work on, in particular, was setting up the bones of an automatic tracking and message system that would send relevant information to customers at different points of their home energy efficiency journeys. The biggest takeaway was the connections made between the different staff at Sustainable Westchester and working with other organizers and workers who I have come to rely on in other jobs and as a support system.

Spring 2021 Clean Energy Associate I worked in business development on the GridRewards demand response program and a solar-plus-storage pilot. Sustainable Westchester opened my eyes to the universe of energy markets, utilities regulation, electricity rate structures, and incentives programs from behind the data.

Their partnerships and programs are a course in moral and effective emissions reduction and have inspired my career in the energy sector. Spring 2022 Clean Energy Associate I worked at Sustainable Westchester for about 3 months between my junior and senior year of college at Columbia University.

I worked on so many business development projects over that short span of time, and I am very proud of the direct impact my work had on the county. First, I helped to organize the first-ever Green Hydrogen Roundtable in New York State.

Additionally, I helped further data analysis on enabling conditions for solar energy + battery storage in Con Edison territory, and provided organizational and promotional assistance associated with the launch of GridRewards, a residential and small commercial demand response program. I felt that these two projects had the potential to empower users to see sustainability as ethical as well as logical and financially sound.

“Through this internship, I learned ways to help the average person see that making the world a cleaner place and acting in their best financial interest does exist. ” Winter 2020-2021 Internship College: King’s College London, class of 2020 As an intern for Sustainable Westchester, I had the opportunity to get involved in many different jobs which I loved.

Some days, I would be speaking to homeowners about clean energy technology and some days, I would be creating videos and content for our website. I liked how I gained exposure to sales and was able to shape the role myself and offer input on many decisions. It was great to be able to work with amazing people and know that the work I was doing was having a direct positive impact on the environment and my community.

Even though the internship was largely remote due to the pandemic, I was still able to get out to events like the local farmer’s market, taking photos at a client’s (resident) home, and marketing Sustainable Westchester events around town. Moving forward, I find myself using a lot of the skills I picked up at SW.

Not only was the work great, the people were also fantastic and I got a ton of exposure to amazing environmental resources and webinars which I learned a lot from. Overall, the internship was a really well rounded experience and I am definitely glad I had the opportunity.

Summer and Fall 2021 Internship Binghamton University, Class of 2021 My time at Sustainable Westchester has been filled with interesting projects and working with an amazing team. As a clean energy associate, my role mainly focuses on supporting community campaigns, residential and municipal engagement, and researching potential collaborations and project funds.

To support community campaigns, I help organize events and outreach initiatives that connect Westchester residents with resources to promote energy efficient solutions in their homes. I also support developing marketing materials and homeowner testimonials to help families better understand the benefits of home energy efficiency.

The staff at Sustainable Westchester are sustainability experts and their leadership in clean energy has made my experience working here so rewarding! Winter 2021 Clean Energy Associate I enjoyed my internship with Sustainable Westchester tremendously.

I valued getting to work with folks whose experience ranged from business development and marketing to community outreach and partnership to a more technical, “nitty-gritty” approach with sustainability. As such, I developed a variety of skills that were integral for me in helping to build and advance my own professional career.

I highly recommend an internship with Sustainable Westchester for anyone aiming to learn new skills and make direct impacts on the sustainable initiatives going on in our own backyard! Winter + Spring 2022 Clean Energy Associate Manhattan College, Class of 2021 Sustainable Westchester cultivated an inclusive and growth driven environment where I was able to set the foundations for the next step in my career.

As an associate, I was encouraged to become involved in different programs and was given the chance to contribute to these initiatives in a meaningful way. Paired with the technical skills acquired in college, the professional skills developed at Sustainable Westchester has prepared me to further my career in energy and sustainability.

Oberlin College, Class of 2022 Becoming a part of the Sustainable Westchester team was a significant and valuable experience for me. As a recent college graduate, I was excited to enter the professional world of sustainability and begin to develop my skills and experience within clean energy advocacy and outreach work. As a Clean Energy Associate, I became well-versed in energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling technologies.

I took on a variety of responsibilities involving and supporting community campaigns, marketing and outreach efforts, and residential and municipal engagement. The different projects and initiatives I focused on throughout the internship provided me with critical tools and exposure to sustainability work that I will be able to take with me as I continue with my career.

Additionally, the staff members I collaborated with were extremely supportive and served as great models and mentors throughout the experience. Having grown up in Mount Vernon, I am particularly thankful to Sustainable Westchester for the opportunity to join this area’s sustainability efforts. I am looking forward to witnessing the ongoing work and positive impacts of the programs!

Rising sophomore at Boston University My time at Sustainable Westchester has been immensely educational and enriching for me as a developing professional. It was rewarding to have the opportunity to engage with municipalities and sustainability groups to further their clean energy goals, as well as assist with the internal operations of the organization.

Moreover, educating homeowners on the benefits of clean energy technologies and energy efficiency was a valuable experience, as it allowed me to make a direct impact on the community. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work so closely with such passionate environmental advocates who are doing the necessary work to create a more sustainable future.

September 2022 – December 2022 (4 months) University of Toronto, Class of 2022 I came out of university knowing that I wanted to jumpstart a career in clean energy, and firmly believe that Sustainable Westchester was one of the best places to do that.

From the beginning, I was afforded countless opportunities to develop my interest in and knowledge of the clean energy world, and constantly supported in my professional development journey by both my supervisor and staff members in other departments.

I am deeply appreciative of the encouragement and guidance that I received throughout my internship, and the manner in which it fostered a palpable sense of community among long-time staff members and incoming interns alike. I also think that it’s important in an internship experience to feel fulfilled in the work that you’re doing, and this was definitely the case during my time as a Clean Energy Associate.

It was always easy to recognize the value of the work being done – assisting homeowners trying to navigate clean energy technologies for their home, supporting community-led campaigns around clean heating and cooling, researching opportunities to make clean energy adoption more accessible and affordable, and so much more.

I’m grateful to have had an internship experience that was not only engaging, but genuinely impactful, and coupled with genuine opportunities for personal growth – I think it’d would’ve been hard to find other environments where all that was achievable. “Having majored in Global Development and Sustainability during my undergraduate years, I knew that I wanted my work to reflect all that I had learned in my classes.

Sustainable Westchester was so amazing at introducing me to all of their sustainability efforts that occur in local communities. The world of sustainability is not fairly new but not everyone has access to it. My work in the Solar department was an amazing opportunity at introducing sustainability efforts with community solar to people who might not otherwise know or have access to it due to them being renters or living in apartments.

Enrolling people in community solar projects felt really rewarding as it gave people a chance to benefit from solar panels without having to install them in their houses. The enthusiasm of the customers to be part of green energy efforts was so refreshing to see. It added to the enjoyment of my job, knowing that the people I’m talking to are just as excited about being part of green energy efforts as I am.

I had the chance to collaborate with other departments as well, which gave me a holistic view at how this organization works. I am so grateful to my amazing co-workers and supervisors for making my time here so welcoming and enriching. I can’t wait to see the amazing things that Sustainable Westchester does in the future!

” I truly enjoyed my time interning at Sustainable Westchester. Not only did I learn more about sustainability, I was also able to expand my knowledge of environmental justice efforts in the community as well as the need for environmental justice and apply my knowledge of the Spanish language to projects related to environmental education.

Over the course of my internship I learned so much about the ways in which we can increase our sustainability and help others do the same. I broadened my understanding of environmental problems in communities around me such as peaker power plants and how initiatives such as GridRewards can minimize and even eliminate the need for them.

This internship was incredibly rewarding and I am very thankful for the opportunity to work with Sustainable Westchester. Vienna Ouyang-Christiansen Byram Hills High School ’23 George Washington University ’27 Working at Sustainable Westchester has been a truly fulfilling and memorable experience. I was so thrilled to come upon this organization and when I had the opportunity to get involved, I could not give it up.

As an avid advocate for the environment, I was able to pursue my interests as well as help strengthen the organization through a variety of projects. I completed individual projects to help strengthen the organization and also worked together with the other interns in my cohort to work on more complex projects. Moreover, working directly with the community was an unforgettable experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed calling legislators, tabling at community events, and talking to homeowners. My favorite aspect was becoming well-versed in SW’s programs and being able to speak about them confidently with homeowners when tabling at community events. I will take the skills gained at SW with me into my future endeavors.

Briarcliff High School ’23 I really enjoyed my time as an intern for Sustainable Westchester, both working with and learning from the SW staff and other high school interns. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming from the first day, which made the entire internship very memorable and gratifying.

I think it was amazing how we were exposed to such meaningful experiences in such a brief period of time, whether that was getting to understand and witness the sustainability efforts of clothing banks such as The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester or road tripping to Albany