Mass Save® Sponsors Award More Than $275,000 in Community Education Grant Funding to 21 Organizations 

Grant grows equitable access to energy efficiency education to Environmental Justice Communities; round two applications now open

BOSTON (November 1, 2022) – Aligning with its commitment to ensuring an equitable transition to a clean energy future, the Sponsors of Mass Save are pleased to announce 21 new Community Education Grant recipients. $279,000 in funding will be distributed to selected churches, nonprofits and human services organizations located in Environmental Justice Communities serving 24 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. 

The funding, which ranges between $2,000 and $40,000, will support energy efficiency education and literacy efforts by developing clean energy initiatives and energy efficiency-focused educational opportunities with the goal of helping residents feel educated and empowered to reduce their carbon footprints.

"As Sponsors of Mass Save, we are deeply committed to ensuring all residents are included in clean energy initiatives by making opportunities more accessible for Environmental Justice Communities," said Ruth Georges, Supervisor, Equity, Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Development at Eversource. "We are excited to help increase access to energy efficiency education. This pool of partners works in diverse communities, are mission based and cares about the quality of life of our customers. This joint partnership will launch programs and outreach education campaigns from North Shore to Western Massachusetts. As a collective, this partnership will support making a positive change in increasing each community's investment in creating a clean, energy-efficient environment for all."

This grant is part of a robust package of community support launched in 2022 as part of the new Massachusetts 2022-2024 Energy Efficiency Plan. In total, the Sponsors will award $1.5 million to support environmental equity and inclusivity and increase access to employment and education opportunities that advance a clean energy future. 

Applications for the second round of Community Education Grant funding is now open. Applicants from all communities are welcome, but Environmental Justice Communities will be prioritized with a focus on renters, landlords, English isolated customers, K-12 student organizations and income-eligible individuals. Eligibility requirements for applications can be found here: https://www.masssave.com/learn/partners/grant

Selected grant recipients may receive:

• Training on the Income Eligible program, incentives available to income-eligible customers and how to best ensure that income-eligible customers connect to energy efficiency programs.
• Assistance planning local events.
• Periodic training sessions by content experts on energy efficiency offerings best practices, and coordination with the local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies to better serve income-eligible residents.
• Access to utility company account managers to maximize energy efficiency opportunities in municipal buildings.

Applications are due November 11, 2022. If applications would like to learn more, they can listen to a recent webinar that review the application, grant requirements and answers to questions. For those interested in receiving a copy, please contact [email protected]

The first cohort of grant recipients:

Brighton Allston Congregational Church

Asociacion Ministerial Evangelica Del Area de Lawrence (AMEDAL)

Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell, Inc.

Town of Norwood (in partnership with the Town of Sharon and the Town of Walpole)

Voice of the Tabernacle Multi Service Center, Inc.

Cape Ann Climate Coalition, nonprofit, TownGreen2025

Childress Across America

Hitchcock Center for the Environment

Pleasant Bay Community Boating, Inc. (PBCB), Nonprofit educational organization

Faith Communities Environmental Network (FCEN), Waquoit Congregational Church/Religious Organization

Together We Stand Corporation/Human Services

Worcester Common Ground - Commonwealth Green Low-Income Housing Coalition

HCJA - Housing and Climate Justice for Acton

Vineyard Power Development Fund

Clean Water Fund

Town of Arlington - Electrify Arlington

Town of Acton

Chelmsford Clean Energy and Sustainability

Cooler Communities

Solstice Initiatives

The Longmeadow Energy and Sustainability Committee

About Mass Save®
Mass Save® is a collaborative of Massachusetts’ natural gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers including Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and Unitil. We empower residents, businesses, and communities to make energy efficient upgrades by offering a wide range of services, rebates, incentives, trainings, and information.