Community Clean Energy Grant Program

The Community Clean Energy Grant Program, jointly managed by San Diego Foundation (SDF), San Diego Community Power (Community Power), and Calpine Energy Solutions, seeks to accelerate a just and sustainable energy transition across San Diego County. Rooted in a shared commitment to community resilience, equity, and environmental health, this funding opportunity supports local clean energy initiatives that align with regional decarbonization goals and address the economic and environmental disparities faced by Communities of Concern. The program serves as a reinvestment mechanism, directing Community Power funds back into the communities they serve through two primary funding tracks: infrastructure and programming. Track 1, Clean Energy Infrastructure, supports the installation or expansion of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar panels, battery storage systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and grid-interactive buildings like community resilience hubs. Projects under this track are strongly encouraged to integrate with San Diego Community Power’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP), enabling broader grid benefits and improved local energy resilience. Grants for Track 1 range from $50,000 to $150,000. Eligible projects must prioritize service within Community Power’s jurisdiction—Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, National City, San Diego, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County—and particularly focus on disadvantaged communities. Track 2, Clean Energy Programming, is designed to elevate energy literacy and prepare communities for careers in clean energy. This track supports educational initiatives for youth and adults, K-12 curriculum development on clean energy topics, and workforce development programs such as those related to maintaining electric vehicles or installing renewable technologies. Grants in this track range from $25,000 to $50,000. Both tracks allow grant funds to cover a wide array of project costs including personnel, supplies, equipment, capital purchases, administrative costs, and other eligible program expenses. All awarded funds must be expended within 12 months of disbursement. Eligibility is inclusive of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt entities like public agencies and higher education institutions. A nonprofit may also act as a fiscal sponsor for another group. Each organization may only serve as a lead applicant for one proposal, though they may participate as partners on additional applications. Applicants must have demonstrable experience serving the identified Community(ies) of Concern, defined per California Climate Investments guidelines and including disadvantaged and low-income communities, as well as those designated in local Climate Equity Index reports. Applications are submitted through SDF’s Foundant grant portal, and new users must first create an organizational profile. For the 2026 grant cycle, the application window opens on February 2, 2026, and closes on March 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a grantseekers webinar and may also request technical assistance during the open application period. Projects involving DERs and potential VPP enrollment are especially encouraged to engage with SDF and Community Power staff to discuss feasibility. Awards will be announced in late summer 2026 following a competitive review process led by a joint evaluation committee. Reviewers assess proposals based on alignment with program focus areas, potential regional environmental impact, feasibility and readiness, and the extent to which proposed projects serve and engage Communities of Concern. Successful applicants will be required to submit a mid-project update and a final report detailing project outcomes, financials, and community impact. The grant is not recurring annually, and a specific match or cost-share is not required, though thoughtful collaboration and impact scalability are key elements evaluated during the selection process.

Emphasize alignment with clean energy goals and energy resilience; demonstrate impact in Communities of Concern; seek technical assistance for VPP projects