Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

May 15, 2026

37 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Communities Building Solar Capacity (CBSC) Program

Overview: An initiative that aims to advance environmental, economic, and community resilience while mobilizing communities of color toward solar development.

Focus Areas:

  • Community-owned solar education and training

  • Project pre-development exploration

  • Environmental justice

  • Climate solutions

  • Green jobs and wealth-building

  • Federal climate program utilization
  • Geographic Scope: National (10+ states across the United States)

    Target Participants:

  • Community-based organizations (CBOs) serving communities of color

  • Community development corporations

  • Solar developers

  • Environmental justice advocates

  • Law groups

  • Faith-based organizations
  • Key Features:

  • 12-week cohort-based program

  • Summer Cohort: Early July to mid-September

  • Winter Cohort: Early January to mid-March

  • Online training and multi-city partnerships

  • Cross-pollinating virtual convenings

  • Focus groups and inter-program support networks

  • Introduction to Community-Owned Solar curriculum (101 Course with three modules)

  • Guidance toward project pre-development exploration
  • Application Cycles:

  • May 15th deadline for Summer Cohort (decisions/start early July)

  • November 15th deadline for Winter Cohort (decisions/start early January)
  • Contact: Natalie Slater, Membership Engagement Coordinator - nslater@psef.network

    Background: Launched in September 2023 with Mosaic Movement Infrastructure grant funding in partnership with the Energy Foundation. Designed to help communities of color access and utilize new federal offerings for community-owned solar development.

    How to Apply

    CBSC Program Application

    1. Access Application: Applications available at https://psef.network/psef-membership-application/
    2. Application Frequency: Year-round submissions reviewed twice annually
    3. Deadlines:
    - May 15th for Summer Cohort (early July start)
    - November 15th for Winter Cohort (early January start)
    4. Estimated Time: 20-40 minutes to complete
    5. Application Structure: 4 sections covering organization information and program interest
    6. Response Format: Bullet-point responses welcome
    7. Accommodations: Contact Natalie at nslater@psef.network to request accommodations or ask questions
    8. Submit: Complete online form on membership application page

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitssolarenvironmental-justicebipoccommunity-development

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