The City of Portland is accepting proposals for funding from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund through November 30.

PCEF was created by a ballot measure passed in 2018 by Portland voters to implement climate actions that center on equity and serve traditionally underrepresented populations.

Now in its second year, the program will award $60 million to eligible nonprofits to submit proposals benefiting benefit communities of color, low-income Portlanders and disadvantaged Portlanders in the areas of:

• clean energy (including energy efficiency and solar) projects
• workforce development, contractor training and support
• green infrastructure and regenerative agriculture
• innovation

Clean energy projects or programs include renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades in residential, commercial and school settings. Workforce development and contractor support include job training, apprenticeship programs and business technical assistance.

Funds can be requested for planning grants up to $100,000, small implementation grants up to $500,000 and completed within three years, and large implementation grants up to $10 million and completed within five years.

Nonprofits can directly apply or partner with other groups, including for-profit businesses.

While Energy Trust is not directly involved in PCEF and does receive PCEF funding, it has worked with PCEF applicants and funded organizations from the first round of funding to better serve customers of color and low-income customers.

For instance, Energy Trust is supporting Community Energy Project, which was awarded PCEF funds in April, in offering home retrofits for Black homeowners, and Constructing Hope, another PCEF recipient, in providing workforce training.

Learn more about the request for proposals and how Energy Trust can help nonprofits considering applying. There are multiple opportunities to learn more about the program and how to apply, including information sessions and workshops.