TSAF: Tribal Energy Capacity Building Request for Proposal Grant

TSAF: Tribal Energy Capacity Building Request for Proposal Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: GRID Alternatives
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: June 30, 2025

Summary

The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) empowers tribal communities across the U.S. by promoting renewable energy projects and workforce development. Launched by GRID Alternatives, TSAF provides critical funding for solar initiatives, enhancing energy sovereignty and resilience. Since its inception, TSAF has integrated community participation into its projects, ensuring that tribes can access sustainable energy solutions. By prioritizing education and equity, TSAF supports a transition to a clean energy economy, aiming for a sustainable future for generations to come.

Overview

About the Fund Our vision for Indian Country is a transition to energy sovereignty that is educational, entrepreneurial, and completely renewable. Our mission aims to catalyze the growth of solar energy and expand solar job opportunities in tribal communities across the United States. Since 2010, the GRID Alternatives National Tribal Program has worked to help tribal communities across the United States achieve their renewable energy goals, while training tribal members to enter the solar workforce. In 2018, GRID launched the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF), a tribal-led philanthropic grantmaking program supporting new solar projects in tribal communities across the country.  TSAF grants clearly focus on building renewable energy infrastructure, particularly new solar energy projects in tribal communities, that are feasible, cost-effective, and engage broad tribal community participation. Capacity Building Grant Program Since 2010, GRID Alternatives’ has worked with tribal communities across the United States to support their renewable energy goals and visions for a sustainable future through tribal focused programs. Over the last five years, the TSAF has provided tribes with access to philanthropic capital through competitive grantmaking and leadership development programs. At its core, TSAF is about more than just regranting; it’s about mobilizing and developing tribal solar projects and integrating workforce development and training, nation-building, and strengthening the energy resilience of tribal communities with visions for a clean energy outlook for generations to come. The upfront expenses to install and maintain solar systems are out of reach for many tribal communities, which is why TSAF funding has been critical to each grantee we have supported. The tribal led TSAF team operates from an action plan centered on grantmaking and programming, communications and storytelling, outreach and relationship building that evolves throughout the year to meet as many tribal communities’ needs as possible. TSAF grants clearly focus on building renewable energy infrastructure and are feasible, cost-effective, and engage broad tribal community participation. Energy leadership, educational scholarships, workforce development, and training are also at the forefront of TSAF-funded projects and programs to ensure that tribal members from the communities we partner with have equitable access to career pathways and the economic benefits of renewable energy. The TSAF supports tribes in asserting control over their energy resources and focuses on making project implementation feasible by leveraging state and federal programs, philanthropic dollars, and partnerships with other tribes across Indian County while working in alignment to identify, develop, finance and implement solar power projects that meet community needs, including education, hands-on training, and energy cost reductions for tribal members. Funding Priorities The TSAF supports and encourages solar education, training, and workforce development in tribal communities through leadership programs and industry related opportunitiesProvide access to funding to support the development of renewable energy projects and the development of long-term energy plans to increase tribal energy security and resiliencyEnsure that equity is a driving principle in the national transition to a clean energy economy through learning from our TSAF community and generating awareness in the climate action arena. The TSAF in collaboration with tribes and tribal leaders aims to address challenges and opportunities related to energy sovereignty, climate resilience and resource sustainability. The TSAF team is excited to share our mission, vision, and goals through grantmaking with tribal communities across Indian Country by engagement and communication, advocacy, technical assistance, collaboration, and a commitment to build capacity in tribal energy sovereignty.

Eligibility

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