Nearly $100,000 In Grants Awarded to Support Community Organizations

Local not-for-profit clean energy provider supports five nonprofits, schools and educators in expanding their renewable energy awareness programs

IRVINE, Calif. (September 9, 2025) – Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) – a not-for-profit community clean energy provider – announced five recipients of its annual Bright Futures Grant program. Nearly $100,000 in funding will support local nonprofits, schools and educators in their efforts to inform communities on the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).

“As a locally controlled clean energy provider, the Orange County Power Authority is dedicated to uplifting the organizations that are prioritizing renewable energy education,” said Susan Sonne, OCPA Board Chair. “Achieving a sustainable and healthy future requires collaboration. OCPA’s Bright Futures grants are just one of the ways we support our communities coming together to spread the word about cleaner energy. We are thrilled to support these five changemakers in their advocacy efforts.”

The Bright Futures Grants will support: 

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton to install solar and battery storage systems, solar-powered irrigation systems, and renewable energy education stations to provide STEM-focused learning through real-world renewable energy projects. 
• Climate Action Campaign to organize a public forum and engagement program that develops local energy leadership and promotes community-driven clean energy strategies across Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, and Irvine.
• COR Community Development Corporation (COR CDC) to deliver a bilingual, hands-on education program for underserved youth in Irvine, focused on renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and Community Choice Energy, while fostering STEAM leadership pathways. 
• Fullerton Education Foundation to support solar education and infrastructure, including powering two tiny homes that serve the unhoused community, solar installation education for students, and curriculum on solar power installation and grid integration.
• Give for a Smile to conduct a multilingual outreach and education program on renewable energy, training community leaders to host educational workshops across Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, and Irvine.

The Bright Future Grant recipients were selected based on their ability to provide community education on the benefits of renewable energy to diverse audiences in OCPA member cities.

In alignment with its mission to create a clean, sustainable, and healthy future, OCPA also invests in its member city communities through various cost and energy savings programs. Each program is designed to offer individuals, families, and businesses the chance to help build healthier communities while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more at ocpower.org/energy-programs.

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.