Reduce Your Use Granting™ Guidelines

Our goal is to ensure that our nonprofit partners maximize their potential by using their limited resources wisely. By implementing energy-efficiency plans, organizations can serve as a role model in our community while lowering their energy costs. Saved resources could lead to enhanced programs to those most in need. Our funding will concentrate on programs and initiatives that create solutions for energy savings.

We focus on grants for specific projects that demonstrate high impact and innovation, rather than general operating support.

All applicants must complete a preliminary screening prior to gaining access to the application. If the applicant fits within the guidelines by answering all the questions correctly, the application will become available. Requests must be submitted using the online application and electronic supporting materials may be attached to the application.

First Choice Power reserves the right to fund or deny any request. Grant recipients are required to submit final reports. Each Reduce Your Use Grant™ given by First Choice Power is $1,000.

Learn more

• What could a nonprofit purchase with $1,000?
• Organizations encouraged to apply
• Funding guidelines
• Applicant and recipient requirements
• Judging/scoring system
• Groups, programs and activities not supported

What could a nonprofit purchase with $1,000?

All costs listed are estimates.  Exact expenses often depend on size of building, model selected, etc.

• Energy Star qualified refrigerator: $1,000
• Programmable thermostat: $60
• Weatherization kit including plastic, door sweeps, caulking and hot water heater blanket:  $120
• 29x41 Energy Star rated window: $160 plus installation
• Energy smart hot water heater: $400 plus installation

First Choice Power accepts grants from

• Organizations with current or active IRS 501(c)(3) status
• Organizations registered with and in good standing with the appropriate state registration agency.
• Organizations in of First Choice Power service territories or communities where the company has business interests.

Determine if your request fits funding guidelines and focus areas

Competition for our community investment resources in every form is increasing.  That means we receive many more requests for support than we can possibly fulfill.  While we promise to give every appeal fair consideration, we ask that you take the time to determine how your program fits our guidelines before you submit a project summary.  If you have any questions about these guidelines, or whether your program fits our guidelines, please contact us at fund@FirstChoicePower.com first.

Applicant and Recipient Requirements

Applicant must fill out all required information on application.

Recipients will be required to provide an annual report regarding grant program as well as share energy-efficient tips with their clients and customers.

Judging/Scoring System

Scoring system will be executed on a point scheme with various categories, that will include extra points for current First Choice Power customers; agencies that focus on serving low-income populations; and agencies where our employees and retirees volunteer.

Grant examples: There are unlimited paths that could be taken to improve a nonprofits’ energy efficiency. Projects could be as simple as basic winter-weather preparation (installing door sweeps, caulking and applying window plastic) or as extensive as providing a down payment on a solar panel.

Groups, Programs and Activities Not Supported

In order to focus First Choice Power funding resources, certain limitations govern our grantmaking. Generally, Reduce your Use Grants™ do not support:

• Individuals
• Individual schools (First Choice Power and the First Choice Power Fund support individual schools through Classroom Innovation Grants)
• Organizations that limit membership and services based on race, religion, color, creed, sex, age or national origin
• Sectarian or religious programs for religious purposes
• Veterans, labor and political organizations or campaigns
• Fraternal, athletic and social clubs
• Organizations that in any way pose a conflict with First Choice Power’s mission, goals, programs, products or employees
• Testimonial dinners, fund-raising events, advertising
• Payments of loans, interest, taxes or debt retirement
• Endowments
• Requests solely for administrative, operating and overhead costs