Financing + Funding
While most of the energy initiatives you undertake are cost-effective and result in a profitable return on investment, selected projects and initiatives may require modest start-up funds to implement and sustain. Securing funds and resources needed to undertake projects may make your Selectboard more receptive to suggested energy-saving campaigns, methods, and policies.
There are a wide variety of potential financing and funding sources available to support local efforts. Below, find some suggestions on where you might start to look for those start-up funds.
Initiatives & Programs
Federal Funding Opportunities for Local Decarbonization (FFOLD)
This tool helps local governments prioritize and leverage existing federal funding to advance system-wide energy transition goals—from block grants and technical assistance to competitive grants, loans, and revolving loan funds. Read more.
Setting up an Energy Revolving Loan Fund
An Energy Revolving Loan Fund is a great way to finance energy projects, because by reinvesting savings from energy projects back into the Fund, energy committees or organizations can continually replenish the funds and continue paying back the costs of new projects. Read more.
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (or C-PACE) is a financing tool that allows commercial, industrial, agricultural, nonprofit, and multifamily property owners to access private capital for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and climate resilience projects. Eligible projects may include solar installations, energy-efficiency upgrades, building electrification projects, water conservation improvements, flood mitigation and resilience investments, backup power systems, and qualifying energy-related improvements associated with new construction. Read more.
Explore Efficiency Vermont’s Financing Opportunities
Efficiency Vermont offers assistance in finding loans and has a wide variety of rebates. Read more.
Efficiency Vermont’s Home Energy Loan Program
Efficiency Vermont’s Home Energy Loan program features discounted interest rates on energy efficiency projects and purchases based on household income. Read more.
Resources & Organizations
VNRC's Small Grants for Smart Growth
Small Grants for Smart Growth, launched in 2018, provide seed money for community-based initiatives related to smart growth. Read more.
VCRD’s Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund
Small grants for community-led climate projects launched in 2021, to support local Vermonters that are working toward reducing energy use, improving climate resiliency, and supporting communities working together in the face of a changing climate. Read more.
Clean Energy Development Fund Increases Support for Modern Wood Heat
The CEDF was started in 2005 to develop and deploy cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power and combined heat and power technologies. Read more.
EastRise Solar Loans and Energy Efficiency
EastRise Credit Union’s Green Loans Program offers loans for solar energy projects, weatherization, heating system upgrades, energy efficiency appliances, a new bike, or a new high-efficiency heat pump to help you achieve long-term energy savings. Read more.
NEGEF Offers Small Grants to Community Projects
The Grassroots Fund offers Grow Grants of up to $3500 twice a year (March and September). These grants are designed to help established groups grow and expand their impact. They also have seed grants for groups just starting out of up to $1,000. Read more.
Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power offers rebates and incentives for electric vehicles, heat pumps, and more to help customers save money and reduce carbon emissions. Read more.
