City to offer energy assistance to nonprofits through new thrive program

Nonprofits in Indianapolis can now apply for energy assistance from the Office of Sustainability. Thriving Nonprofits is a new initiative for the agency, funded by The Mckinney Foundation.

Up to 15 nonprofits can apply for assistance to help decrease their energy bills. That includes projects like fixing HVAC or insulation in buildings.

After being accepted into the program, the office will conduct an energy assessment of the building and analyze what needs done. That data will be used to determine what specific energy investments should be made. The Thriving Nonprofit initiative will match up to $10,000 in grant money for projects.

“So we're trying to not only lower the overhead of these nonprofit organizations but also help them improve their carbon footprint,” Mo McReynolds, the director of the Office of Sustainability, said. “That also allows additional funding for these organizations to continue to serve their mission, rather than their overhead, which helps improve equity and resilience.”

Thrive is a partnership between IFF, a nonprofit lender and consultant, and the Office of Sustainability. It builds on previous work from Thrive Indianapolis, which is a larger plan to achieve citywide carbon neutrality by 2050.

Applicants must have a building in Marion County and be an organization like a nonprofit, grocery store, school or medical facility. Applications are due on June 9.

McReynolds says she hopes the program will expand in the future.

WFYI education reporter Sydney Dauphinais covers Marion County schools. Contact her at sdauphinais@wfyi.org.