Types of Grant Requests
The Illinois Clean Energy Community
Foundation will accept three different types of grant requests during
2008:
-
Throughout the year, the Foundation will accept grant requests
for a few specific types of projects, described in the section on
Grants for which Proposals May Be Submitted Anytime.
-
Twice a year, the Foundation will accept letters of inquiry for
projects on a wide range of topics, described in the section on
Grants with January and July Application Deadlines.
-
The Foundation also operates several grant programs to install
energy efficiency and renewable energy equipment, described in the
section on Targeted Grant Programs with Separate Guidelines,
Deadlines and Application Forms.
Applicant and Project Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
The Foundation provides funding to federally recognized 501c3 nonprofit
organizations and state and local government agencies serving Illinois
residents.
Ineligible Activities
The Foundation will not provide funding for remediation of
environmentally impaired properties; technology research; promotion
of proprietary products; reoccurring operating costs; political campaigns
or lobbying; capital or
endowment campaigns; or projects undertaken by individuals.
Grants for which Requests May be
Submitted Anytime
Throughout the year, the Foundation will consider requests for grant
funding to support the types of projects described below. Contact
the Foundation for an explanation of what specific information to include
in these requests.
-
Energy efficient building design and commissioning of new
or substantially renovated public or nonprofit facilities.
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Staff training, stakeholder workshops, or other activities to advance
the adoption and implementation of energy efficiency building
codes.
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On a limited basis, educational forums, conferences, and
workshops focused on advancing energy efficiency or renewable energy
in Illinois.
Grants with January and July Application
Deadlines
To seek funding for a project in one of the categories described in
this section, the first step in the application process is submitting
a letter of inquiry by either January 18, 2008 or July 18,
2008. A letter of inquiry may be no longer than three pages. It
must describe the proposed project, explain the need for the project
and summarize the total project expenses and proposed sources of funding,
including the specific amount requested from the Foundation.
Following review of letters of inquiry, the Foundation will notify
all applicants (in February and August, respectively) if they have been
selected to submit a full proposal. When the Foundation invites a full
proposal, it will specify what information the proposal should include
and the supporting documents that must be submitted with the proposal.
Proposals are due in March and September and final grant decisions are
made in late April and late October.
Through this twice-yearly competitive grant process, the Foundation
will consider funding requests for the following types of projects and
may also invite requests on other topics being investigated for possible
future grant programs.
Energy Efficiency
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Installation of innovative energy efficient systems not
yet widely adopted in Illinois to demonstrate those systems' effectiveness
in types of facilities common in Illinois.
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Equipment, technologies and measures with energy performance
characteristics above standard Illinois market practice and
minimum code standard requirements to improve building performance.
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Installation of innovative energy efficiency systems in
"green" buildings that can improve energy performance
and earn points towards attainment of a "LEED Silver"
or higher certification rating. Contact the Foundation for detailed
system and building eligibility requirements.
-
Programs designed to develop consumer demand for energy
efficient products and technologies targeting a specific sector.
Renewable Energy
-
Installation of building-integrated solar photovoltaic (PV)
systems or other renewable energy systems that earn points toward
attainment of a "LEED Silver" or higher "green"
building rating. Contact the Foundation for detailed
system and building eligibility requirements.
-
Projects demonstrating the market viability of solar thermal,
biomass, fuel cells, or newly emerging renewable energy technologies.
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Community-based wind power generation serving the on-site
energy needs of community institutions such as schools, colleges
and municipal facilities.
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Programs designed to develop consumer demand and training
to advance renewable energy throughout Illinois.
Natural Areas
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Acquisition of important natural habitat and wildlife areas.
Click
here for additional information.
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Planning efforts leading to acquisition of priority natural
areas.
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Building capacity of nonprofit organizations that acquire
and manage natural areas. Contact the Foundation for eligibility
and grant amount limitations.
-
On a very limited basis, one-time capital expenses for restoration
of natural areas by nonprofit organizations.
Targeted Grant Programs with Separate
Guidelines, Deadlines, and Application Forms
The Foundation operates several grant programs to help specific types
of public and nonprofit facilities install energy efficient or renewable
energy equipment. These programs and their application deadlines are
shown in the chart at the below.
