The EmPOWER Hawai'i Project

Equipping local nonprofits in their efforts to save energy and save money.

Applications for the 2021 EmPOWER cohort are now closed, but there are still ways to save energy at your organization! Please contact Chester Carson at Chester.Carson@leidos.com for more information.

We’re on the hunt to find ten nonprofit organizations who are interested in learning how to lower their electricity costs. Are you one of them? Also, new for our 2021 cohort, we will be extending the program to nonprofits located in Maui and Hawai’i counties as well as in the City and County of Honolulu.


A Formula For Success

We get you. Budgets are tighter than ever, especially in coping with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every dollar gone towards running your facilities is one less toward your mission. That’s why we want help you afford your investment in energy efficiency AND give you the know-how to make the right, most cost-effective decisions for future facility improvements. We designed this program to help nonprofits in three key areas:

  • Financial Support – significant discounts on equipment, materials and labor through Hawai‘i Energy’s network of installation contractors
  • Energy Data / Reporting – free initial facility analysis (identifying where most energy is being used and opportunities to improve) and electricity bill monitoring in months following completion of project
  • Education – tailored discussion sessions to equip nonprofit facility managers and decision-makers with “best practice” methods and technical advice/guidance throughout project execution

Want to learn more? Download our FAQ sheet.

Am I Eligible?

Participating organizations must:

  • Possess tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) status
  • Have the authority to make capital improvements at their facility, or in best cases, own the facility
  • Demonstrate ability to provide high-quality services and community impact
  • Designate two (2) “champions” at your organization to serve as points of contact throughout the program, attend sessions, and keep the rest of your team updated as needed throughout the project.
  • Be willing to commit at least 20 hours of time over 12 months to attending sessions, accompanying Hawai‘i Energy staff and contractors on site visits, and making arrangements/decisions with Hawai‘i Energy and contractors.

See full list of eligibility guidelines

For Contractors

We’re looking for Clean Energy Allies to help! Our goal is to pair participants with Clean Energy Allies to deliver quality service and foster relationships to complete future projects. Hawai‘i Energy will provide elevated incentives toward the installation of energy efficient measures.

Want to learn more? Download our Contractor FAQ sheet.

Questions?

Contact Giuls Kunkel at gkunkel@veic.org.