Nonprofit Solar Project Grants

The Nonprofit Solar Project is a funding initiative of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), developed in collaboration with Solar United Neighbors of Arizona (SUN) and private donors. It is supported by CFSA’s Environmental Sustainability Impact Fund and is designed to support local nonprofit organizations in Pima County in accessing clean, solar energy solutions. The project is grounded in the foundation’s mission to address environmental inequities by assisting nonprofits serving marginalized populations to install solar power systems, thus reducing operational energy costs and carbon footprints. This initiative is focused on enhancing the sustainability of community-serving organizations by enabling them to redirect savings from energy expenses into programming and operations. Since its inception in 2022, the Nonprofit Solar Project has funded six organizations for solar installations, illustrating both the financial and ecological benefits of transitioning to solar energy in Southern Arizona. In 2025, CFSA is offering a second round of funding to expand the initiative’s reach and deepen its community impact. The program’s key objectives include expanding solar access for nonprofits in underserved and environmentally overburdened communities, reinvesting energy savings into local programming, and promoting the adoption of distributed solar energy across Pima County. Through visibility and demonstrated cost-effectiveness, CFSA and SUN hope to encourage broader solar adoption among local organizations. Importantly, the program prioritizes nonprofits whose facilities serve multiple organizations or client bases to maximize community benefit. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing that are located in Pima County. Applicants must own the property where the installation will occur, have at least 500 square feet of unobstructed roof or ground space, and the roof must have at least 15 years of usable lifespan. The organization must have been situated at the proposed site for a minimum of six months and be able to provide 6–12 months of electricity bills. National and statewide nonprofits are eligible if they maintain a local headquarters in Pima County; however, no portion of the grant may support operations outside the county. Fiscal sponsors are not eligible, and prior recipients of this grant are excluded from reapplying. The application process begins July 7, 2025, and closes on August 18, 2025. Applicants apply through CFSA’s Grants Lifecycle Manager portal. A solar bid is not required at the time of submission. Initial reviews are conducted by CFSA and SUN to assess eligibility and selection criteria. A review committee will select 15–25 top applicants who will receive stipends to obtain at least two vendor bids for installation, with guidance from SUN. Final selections are made based on bid analysis and alignment with evaluation criteria. Evaluation focuses on five main areas: the organization’s readiness for solar installation, community benefit of their work, environmental need of the populations they serve, financial impact of solar savings, and the applicant’s willingness to promote solar energy. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the Nonprofit Solar Project 2025 Webinar on July 14, 2025, for more details. For questions about eligibility, applicants can contact CFSA at community@cfsaz.org or call (520) 770-0800. Award notifications will begin in September 2025, with the bid and final selection process continuing through October and final awards announced in November 2025.