Community Nonprofits and Organizations Invited to Apply for Grants Through City’s 2022 Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan (SEEL) Program

​As part of Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative, the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development is providing support for organizations to improve building efficiency through the 2022 Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan (SEEL) Program. 
 
Possible projects eligible for matching grant funds include solar installation, weatherization, lighting, refrigeration, ventilation, cooling, and water heater upgrades with the goal of reducing utility costs for nonprofits and community organizations. 
 
Through a partnership with CDFI Friendly Bloomington and IFF, the 2022 Solar and Energy Efficiency Loan (SEEL) Program will provide support through City-funded energy assessments and matching grant funds of $10,000 for projects of at least $20,000. Additional financing support to cover project costs is available through low-interest loans financed by IFF and Hoosier Hills Credit Union. Twelve nonprofits will be eligible to participate in the 2022 program with intake forms accepted on a rolling basis by the cohort application deadline found at bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/seel.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, early childhood centers, libraries, healthcare facilities, and grocery stores that own at least one facility within city limits are eligible to participate. If an organization rents its facility, the organization is eligible to participate with permission to participate in the program from the property owner. 
 
SEEL program support for nonprofits includes the costs of an energy assessment and matching grant. 

• The City of Bloomington will cover the costs associated with an energy assessment valued at $3,000 to be completed by IFF. 
• The City of Bloomington will also provide matching grants of $10,000 per organization. The matching grant cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost. 
• The remainder of the project costs can either be covered by capital from the nonprofit or financed through low-interest loans from IFF or Hoosier Hills Credit Union. Connections to additional financing options can be secured through CDFI Friendly Bloomington if needed.

 
Prospective funding applicants to the SEEL program are invited to learn more by attending an online information session on February 22 at 3 pm. Register for the webinar via Zoom at https://bton.in/eTZew.
 
Organizations are invited to complete an intake form to apply for participation in the SEEL program beginning February 18. More information and the intake form are available at bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/seel. 
 
The City will ask approved applicants to indicate their intention to complete a project by signing a commitment letter, after which the energy assessor will provide an energy assessment of the facility to verify a specific list of potential modifications to improve building performance and energy savings. Funding priority will be given to organizations that did not participate in the program in 2021, though past participants are still eligible to apply.
 
Questions about the program should be directed to Lauren Clemens, Assistant Director of Sustainability at lauren.clemens@bloomington.in.gov. 
 
This program is a collaboration between the City of Bloomington Department of Economic and Sustainable Development, CDFI Friendly Bloomington, IFF, and Hoosier Hills Credit Union.