Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing sustainability in New York State, is administering the Renew America’s Nonprofits Grant Program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This initiative aims to support energy efficiency building upgrades for nonprofit-owned buildings throughout New York. Sustainable Westchester is one of nine organizations nationwide selected to distribute subrecipient grants under this program, which is funded by the DOE’s State and Community Energy Program (SCEP) as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that own and operate a building in New York are eligible to apply for energy conservation improvement funding. The program specifically targets projects that will reduce building energy use and utility costs. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $200,000, with funding limited to a single building per applicant. The deadline to submit applications is May 1, 2025, and applications must be submitted through the designated JotForm portal. A PDF version of the application is available for preview only.

Eligibility requirements include documented building ownership in New York State, IRS nonprofit status, SAM.gov and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) registration (required before final award selection), and a clear demonstration of financial need for building upgrades. Applicants must also confirm they are not debarred from receiving federal funds. Preference will be given to organizations located in, or serving, federally designated disadvantaged communities.

To support applicants in preparing high-quality submissions, Sustainable Westchester offers free energy assessment resources like the BETTER Report Tool, which helps nonprofits evaluate energy use and identify improvement opportunities. However, this tool is only compatible with specific building types such as schools, multifamily buildings, libraries, and office spaces. Organizations with multiple buildings are encouraged to use the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager to identify their worst-performing structure for the grant application.

Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of nonprofit leaders, sustainability professionals, engineers, and workforce development specialists. Special consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate a plan for maximizing community benefits, such as workforce diversity, use of union labor, and partnerships with Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). Sustainable Westchester emphasizes its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in its review process.

Grantees will be selected based on a comprehensive scorecard that assesses project impact, use of resources, equity considerations, and capacity for implementation. Additional information and support, including webinars and weekly office hours, are provided on the Sustainable Westchester website. For help with the application or questions about eligibility, applicants are encouraged to email impact@constellationfund.org or contact Sustainable Westchester directly.