Bright Futures Grants Available to Organizations to Educate Communities About the Benefits of Renewable Energy

Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 will be awarded to organizations with the most creative and innovative approaches

The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) – a community energy provider – announced that it is now accepting grant applications from non-profits, schools, and educators for the Bright Futures Grant, a funding opportunity aimed at supporting local non-profits, schools, and educators in their efforts to educate communities on the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).

With a budget of $100,000, grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 will be awarded to community organizations who bring forward the most creative and innovative ideas to educate communities about the benefit of renewable energy. Particular focus will be given to the organizations focused on underrepresented communities and multi-lingual campaigns. The grant also prioritizes initiatives that bring multiple partners together to collaborate on renewable energy education.

“This grant opportunity is a unique chance for organizations to make a meaningful impact in their communities by educating others about how community energy programs are bringing more renewable energy to Orange County and how that will create a brighter, more sustainable future for all,” said OCPA Board Chair Fred Jung.

The application period runs through June 9, 2023 with grants being awarded June 21.  A key criteria for applying for this grant is that the organizations must be within an OCPA member community, which includes Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Irvine. More details are below and the full application can be found at here.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Non-profits, schools, and educators based in an Orange County Power Authority member agency community (Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Irvine)
• Focus on educating the community on the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Aggregation
• Target underrepresented communities and multi-lingual campaigns
• Must demonstrate clear goals and objectives, a budget, and a plan for sustainability
• Partnerships with multiple agencies is highly desired, but not required
• Applicant organization must be an Orange County Power Authority customer

As the first community energy provider in Orange County, this grant funding program is a result of the successful first year of OCPA procuring renewable energy for its member communities with the goal of reinvesting revenue in the community for programs that will help address climate change.

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at competitive rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.