DWP press release

Non-profits in the Eastern Sierra have a shot at a $50,000 grant for community outreach and education on energy and water conservation from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

 

The competitive grants will be awarded to one 501 (c)3 in each of Los Angeles’ City Council districts and one in Owens Valley, either in Inyo or Mono County, according to a webinar held last Tuesday.

This is the department’s seventh round of grants funded through the City’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The deadline for submission is August 7 at 3 p.m.

The webinar, grant application and details as well as examples of successful grant programs from the last six rounds are available at www.ladwp.com/np, but here are some of the basics.

The projects should focus on energy and water conservation with at least 50 to 100-percent of the emphasis on energy conservation. The purpose of the grants are to provide conservation and efficiency information to under-served populations not easily reached.

LADWP will provide information to successful non-profits with little or no expertise in the area of energy and water conservation.

Research activities can be included in the project description if that research informs the outreach and education.

Specific to the Owens Valley, the application has to describe recent work experience in the area and applicants are encouraged to partner with area Tribes.

The evaluation criteria includes addressing local needs, past performance with behavior impacting programs, cost effectiveness and viability, proposed tracking methods and innovation. There should be a balance between realistic and ambitious.

The organizations awarded the grants will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the department. Funding will be based on reaching milestones outlined in that MOU. The projects have to be completed within 12 months, starting when the MOU is signed.