Funding & Financing for Nonprofits
Illinois Energy Office Energy Efficiency Assessment Program
The Energy Efficiency Assessment Program provides funding to public housing authorities, local governments, or nonprofit organizations to conduct energy efficiency assessments at properties benefiting residents receiving housing assistance from a state or federal program.
A professional energy assessor or auditor conducts a site inspection and evaluates the residence to identify energy equipment, structural, and behavioral inefficiencies. Examples of recommendations found in the final report from an energy efficiency assessment can include installing programmable thermostats, adding insulation, or upgrading lighting fixtures.
Peoples Gas Energy Efficiency Program
The Peoples Gas Energy Efficiency Program offers incentives for commercial customers to reduce energy consumption through efficiency improvements to their systems and equipment. The program supports commercial, industrial, and small and midsize businesses.
Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) are now accepting pre-applications for the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EE RLF) program. This initiative offers low-interest Bridge Loans to nonprofits, public entities, and commercial building owners in order to finance clean energy projects, such as building electrification, energy storage, and distributed generation, while addressing funding gaps caused by delays in receiving federal direct pay tax credits and Illinois Solar for All incentives.
Check if you can apply for the EE RLF Bridge Loan here:
Pre-application Link
ComEd Retro-Commissioning
Your facility has the power to save money and energy with a Retro-Commissioning (RCx) project. RCx can positively impact your facility’s energy performance, improve your bottom line and create a more comfortable environment for your occupants.
An authorized Energy Efficiency Service Provider will perform a fully-funded study of your facility’s energy management systems to identify low-cost operational improvements. You’ll save an average of 5-15% on annual energy costs and may also qualify for incentives or additional savings through your natural gas utility’s partnership with ComEd.
Looking for more ways to save money and energy? Your business may qualify for one of three project types.
ComEd Facility Assessments
ComEd can help find energy-saving opportunities, whether it's lights, HVAC system, chillers, or motors. When scheduled, an approved energy engineer will either conduct an in-person or virtual Facility Assessment. There, they will spend approximately two hours with you assessing your facility to identify energy-efficiency opportunities. Within three to four weeks, you will receive a report detailing energy efficiency projects that you can start working on immediately. Each recommendation will include estimated energy savings, cost savings, project cost, potential incentives, and simple payback.
ComEd New Construction Offering
The ComEd® Energy Efficiency Program new construction offering provides solutions that can help your facility generate long-term energy and cost savings. The earlier in design you enroll your project (at concept development or schematic design phase), the better results you’ll realize.
There are two pathways for participating in the New Construction Offering:
- Best Practices offers a prescriptive approach to new construction projects. Designed for fast-moving, developer-led projects.
- Performance Path offers a custom, hands-on technical approach to new construction projects and targets projects that are early in the design phase to maximize opportunities to influence the incorporation of high-performance design strategies.
Illinois Solar for All: Non-Profit and Public Facilities
Illinois Solar for All is a state program that makes solar energy more affordable for income-eligible residents and the organizations that serve them. Eligible participants can receive affordable solar installations or community solar subscriptions and save money on electric bills. The program ensures that participants work with qualified and vetted solar companies, called Approved Vendors.
A qualified
Critical Service Provider is a non-profit or public entity that offers critical services to income-eligible or environmental justice communities. View the list of Critical Services Providers to see if your type of organization is qualified.
ComEd Energy Efficiency Program: Small Business and Facilities
ComEd customers that operate smaller businesses and facilities (peak demand under 400 kW) are eligible for incentives on energy-saving projects in their buildings. Building owners can submit an interest form and get matched with a ComEd-approved Service Provider that will complete an energy assessment, compile a list of recommendations, and coordinate project delivery. The Service Provider can also apply ComEd incentives to bring project costs down. The program applies to existing buildings looking to pursue energy efficiency upgrades.
Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program
Nicor offers multiple resources for customers looking to complete energy efficiency projects. Businesses can receive free assessments and products, rebates for select energy efficiency projects, and custom incentives for projects that do not fall under the standard list of rebates. Nicor’s Emerging Technology program also seeks to bring new energy efficient technology into the market.
