Frankenthaler Climate Initiative: Scoping Grants

Frankenthaler Climate Initiative: Scoping Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Inc
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: January 08, 2026

Summary

The Frankenthaler Climate Initiative provides funding for energy efficiency projects in visual arts museums, addressing climate change through innovative cultural leadership. Grants up to $25,000 support institutions in evaluating energy mitigation opportunities, enhancing efficiency, and reducing emissions. Eligible applicants include museums and visual arts schools across the U.S. The initiative encourages sustainable practices while assisting organizations in understanding their energy needs and planning for effective interventions within a project timeline of 18 months.

Overview

Grants for Clean, Efficient Energy in Visual Arts Museums As climate change has emerged as a defining issue of our day, museums and cultural institutions can take a leadership position in demonstrating that climate action is within reach. The cost of energy is the second-largest component of museum budgets. Energy efficiency improvements are the best opportunity for museums to reduce emissions and save money. The Frankenthaler Climate Initiative is an energy and climate granting program launched by Helen Frankenthaler Foundation in partnership with RMI and Environment and Culture Partners. It is the first program of its kind in the U.S. for the visual arts and is the largest private national grant-making program to address climate change through cultural institutions. Grant Categories The Frankenthaler Climate Initiative funds energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects in the following categories: Scoping grants help museums understand the climate and energy mitigation opportunities at their facilities.Technical assistance grants support the specification and budgeting of an identified efficiency project to allow for procurement and financing. Implementation grants provide partial seed funding for fully specified projects. Institutions of all sizes that have visual arts as a key part of their mission and programming are encouraged to apply. This includes collecting and non-collecting institutions as well as visual arts schools. Scoping Grants Help institutions to understand energy mitigation and sustainability-related opportunities at their facilities. By supporting assessments, including those led by independent and appropriate consultants, Scoping grants benefit institutions that are beginning to reduce their emissions footprint. A Scoping Grant is intended to help you understand your energy efficiency needs and clean energy options by undertaking an assessment with an independent environmental engineer, building science specialist (BSS), or sustainability consultant. This work might include professional fees and monitoring or testing for energy and systems audits, recommendations on initial no/low-cost actions, and recommended areas for planning larger interventions to increase efficiency, reduce total consumption, and access renewable sources. These grants benefit applicants who are getting started in reducing their emissions footprint, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, and identifying tangible changes to their current institutional or organizational practices. Award Amount: Up to $25,000. A financial match is not required. Project Timeline: Projects must be completed by December31, 2027 (within 18 months of award). Project Examples: Energy assessment of existing facility, with recommendations for improvements (ASHRAE level I, or level II audit) Master Planning document that includes efficiency improvement coordinated with planned facility maintenance Life cycle analysis of mechanical equipment upgrades to electrify equipment cost effectively

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Awards support the planning or implementation of capital projects that reduce emissions by improving efficiency in building energy use. Only institutions that have visual arts as a key part of their mission and programming may apply. This includes collecting and non-collecting institutions as well as visual arts schools. The institution must be physically located in the U.S. or its territories.There are no institutional or budget size limitations or preferences. Museums of all sizes are encouraged to apply.Only one inquiry per institution, please.