Climate Action Alliance of the Valley (CAAV), in partnership with Community Housing Partners (CHP) Energy Solutions, seeks project proposals from community organizations in the Central Shenandoah Valley, including the cities of Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, and Staunton, and Rockingham, Augusta, Page, Shenandoah, and Highland counties. CAAV will award grants of up to $15,000 for projects to promote and facilitate applications to existing no-cost-to-client weatherization and energy efficiency opportunities offered through CHP to qualifying area residents. Promotion methods may vary based on the organizational proposal, but could include attending community events, door-to-door canvassing, or case management and applicant follow-up. Organizations who serve persons who likely qualify for CHP programs are preferred, including but not limited to organizations who serve low to moderate income households, households with seniors and persons with disabilities, ALICE and energy burdened households, and households in historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities.
Requirements for Proposals
Proposals for the Energy Efficiency Outreach Grant should outline how the organization can connect eligible households with the programs offered through CHP Energy Solutions.
Energy Efficiency Outreach Grants should outline the following:
● the populations with which the community organization currently works;
● steps the organization would take to promote program awareness and assist applicants
in submitting required documentation through the CHP application process;
● how the funds will specifically enable the organization to do this work;
● and the methods for tracking and reporting on outreach efforts, including, for example,
the number of events held or attended to promote the program, number of households
contacted, materials distributed, doors knocked, expenditures, etc.
Proposals can be of varying scopes, and include anything from adding CHP’s programs to an existing lists of resources the organization offers to engaging in a months-long campaign. Some potential proposals:
● $1k-$3k for staff/volunteer training to add CHP programs to existing list-promoted services
● $3k-$6k for training + short term campaign with events, canvassing, community
outreach, etc
● $6k+ for training + dedicated staff time over a period of several months. This could include a case management approach assisting applicants in gathering and submitting required documentation for program approval.
Upon approval for an Energy Efficiency Outreach Grant, CHP and CAAV will provide program marketing materials and training workshops to orient you and your staff to CHP’s programs. Both organizations will consult and collaborate with participating organizations throughout the grant period. CAAV, which received a grant from Clean Virginia, will award a total of $35,000 to local community organizations. CAAV aims to select a cohort of grant recipients that extends outreach to diverse Central Valley populations. Successful grant applicants will submit a report to CAAV outlining its performance results based on criteria in the memorandum of understanding or contract.
Energy Efficiency Programs through CHP Energy Solutions
CHP Energy Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Christiansburg, Virginia. Since 1976, CHP has been creating homes and communities that are healthy, sustainable, and affordable. For the Shenandoah Valley, CHP Energy Solutions is the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) designated Weatherization Assistance Program provider. This federally funded program improves the energy efficiency of homes and apartments, lowering energy buren for households while improving health and safety. In addition to the Weatherization Programs, CHP Energy Solutions checks eligible households across a suite of other no-cost programs designed to lower utility bills, improve health and safety, and reduce emissions. The include programs through Dominion Energy, Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC), Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC), and Columbia Gas. Programs are open to qualifying renters and homeowners, including households in site-built, manufactured/mobile homes, and townhomes. If approved, improvements can include installation of insulation, LED bulbs, and dozens of other measures to reduce energy consumption. Depending on the program and availability of funds, additional measures can include heating and cooling system repair or replacement, minor home repair, solar, and more.
For a greater sense of the impact of these programs and what they offer, check out:
● Success Stories page on the CHP Energy Solutions website.
● Success Story: Ms. Carter’s Home Elkton, VA
● WHSV Interview with Everett Brubaker from CHP Energy Solutions
● Article in Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) Magazine
● Conversation with Beth Bland of Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) on WSVA
● Article on Weatherization work at Mosby Heights Townhomes in Harrisonburg
Grant Timeline
Request for Proposals
– September 18 to October 31
Grant Informational Sessions
– October 18 at 12pm (on Zoom)
– October 19 at 4pm
Final Date for Proposals
– October 31
Announcement of Grant Recipients
– December 4
Grant Implementation by Selected Organizations
– January 2024 – May 2024
For more information, please reach out to:
Andrew Payton (CAAV)
andrewdpayton [at] gmail.com
Everett Brubaker (CHP)
everett.brubaker [at] chpc2.org
Find this proposal as a PDF here: CAAV_CHP Request for Proposals
