This unrestricted grant of $500,000 will enable Solar One to strengthen our programming, bringing those most affected by environmental injustice to the forefront of developing and benefitting from the clean energy economy.
New York City, NY (December14, 2021) – Solar One was selected by Citi Foundation as a recipient of the Community Progress Makers initiative, which supports visionary organizations across the U.S. that are working to connect low-income communities and communities of color to greater social and economic opportunity. As a Community Progress Maker, Solar One will receive a multi-year, unrestricted grant of $500,000 and access to technical assistance and a supportive learning community from 2022 – 2023.
Through Citi Foundation’s support, Solar One will be able to expand and enhance its programs in K-12 environmental education, green workforce training, solar installation technical assistance, and eco-park stewardship. Through programs like these, Solar One transforms the way people think about energy, the urban environment, and resilience.
“We are truly honored to be included in this year’s cohort of grant recipients, all of whom are doing such crucial work in cities around the country,” said Solar One’s Executive Director Christopher J. Collins. “With the support of the Citi Foundation and the Community Progress Maker program, we will be able to reach more stakeholders and program participants in our community and facilitate new ways living, working, and thinking that are a crucial component of our response to a world affected by climate change. We are looking forward to connecting with other grantees and working with the Urban Institute to collectively amplify the work each our organizations do individually.”
The newest cohort of Community Progress Makers includes 50 leading nonprofit organizations selected through a competitive Request for Proposals process, with a strong track record of supporting underserved communities across six U.S. cities: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C. The Citi Foundation will provide a supportive learning community through which grantees can connect to share best practices and strengthen their work as social change agents. Technical assistance will also be provided by the Urban Institute to help measure the cohort’s impact and progress.
“Six years ago, the Citi Foundation launched Community Progress Makers with a vision of empowering community leaders to grow their transformative impact through unrestricted, trust-based funding,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing and Development and President of the Citi Foundation. “This kind of approach and support is more important than ever as the U.S. continues to address the root causes and impacts of income and wealth inequality. Through the Community Progress Makers initiative, these social innovators and advocates can continue to look for new ways of addressing long-standing societal challenges at scale.”
From 2015 to 2019, the Citi Foundation has provided $40 million in multi-year, unrestricted funding to 72 Community Progress Makers, helping to place over 45,000 people in affordable housing, train over 33,000 people for employment, save over $10 million in energy costs, and expand over 12,000 small businesses.
About Solar One
Solar One is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to design and deliver innovative education, training, and technical assistance that fosters sustainability and resiliency in diverse urban environments. We empower learning that changes the way people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging and educating a diverse set of stakeholders and beneficiaries. Our programs help individuals and communities explore new ways of living and working that are more adaptive to a changing world. Visit our website at www.solar1.org
About the Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.
Contact: Michael Barry, Communications Manager, Solar One
barry@solar1.org (646) 741-5225
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