Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003066
The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of State and Community Energy Programs and administered by the DOE Golden Field Office, released this discretionary funding opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). The program is called Renew America's Nonprofits, and it is designed to fund energy efficiency improvements in nonprofit facilities in a way that can scale nationally. The bigger picture goal is to modernize infrastructure while also supporting a cleaner and more equitable energy economy, aligning with federal targets of a zero-carbon electricity system by 2035 and economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.
At its core, the FOA is looking for projects that deliver energy efficiency upgrades and do so using models that can be replicated and expanded. DOE is emphasizing approaches that create innovative partnerships, leverage additional funding, and capture economies of scale rather than isolated one-off retrofits. The work funded under this announcement supports Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40542 and reflects a broader federal priority to direct benefits toward disadvantaged communities and energy communities, meaning applicants are expected to think about who benefits, how benefits are distributed, and how the work can be sustained beyond the grant period.
A defining feature of this funding opportunity is the "aggregation model." Instead of DOE issuing hundreds of small awards directly to individual nonprofits, DOE plans to make a smaller number of larger awards to organizations that serve as Prime recipients. These Prime recipients are responsible for assembling a bundle of energy efficiency projects across multiple nonprofit facilities and then providing the technical, administrative, and project support needed to get those upgrades planned and completed. DOE anticipates awarding roughly 5 to 15 grants under this model, with the intent that the bundled portfolios will collectively cover hundreds of nonprofit facilities. In practice, this means many nonprofits may participate as subrecipients or partner sites within a larger coordinated application led by a Prime.
The funding instrument for awards is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period (for example, coordination, reporting, oversight, and technical engagement) rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity is listed under the Energy activity category and is associated with CFDA number 81.086. The stated award ceiling is up to $9,000,000 per award, and DOE expected to make up to 15 awards.
Eligibility is aimed at nonprofit organizations, specifically including nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, as stated in the opportunity listing. Because eligibility rules can be nuanced and sometimes differ between prime applicants and other team members, organizations typically need to verify whether they intend to apply as a Prime recipient, a subrecipient, or another type of partner and confirm that structure fits the FOA's requirements.
To help organizations form the multi-entity teams needed for bundled applications, DOE is maintaining a "Teaming Partner List." This is essentially a matchmaking resource where organizations can signal that they want to join a project team or find partners for an application. Interested organizations can add themselves to the list by completing a Microsoft form available through the Renew America's Nonprofits webpage (https://www.energy.gov/scep/renew-americas-nonprofits) or by emailing their information to Nonprofits@doe.gov with the subject line "Teaming Partner Information."
Key administrative details from the listing include the FOA number DE-FOA-0003066, an original closing date of August 3, 2023, and an initial posting/creation date of May 24, 2023. In summary, this opportunity is built around scaling energy efficiency upgrades across many nonprofit facilities through a smaller set of well-resourced Prime recipients that can aggregate projects, deliver measurable energy improvements, and target benefits to disadvantaged and energy communities while supporting long-term national decarbonization goals.Apply for DE FOA 0003066
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement for Energy Improvements at Nonprofits - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – Renew America’s Nonprofits" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 24, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 03, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $9,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Renew America's Nonprofits (DOE) - DE-FOA-0003066
What is the Renew America's Nonprofits funding opportunity?
Renew America's Nonprofits is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of State and Community Energy Programs, and administered by the DOE Golden Field Office. It is released under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) and is intended to fund energy efficiency improvements in nonprofit facilities using approaches that can scale nationally.
What is the main goal of this program?
The core goal is to deliver energy efficiency upgrades in nonprofit facilities while using models that can be replicated and expanded (not just one-off retrofits). The broader purpose is to modernize infrastructure and support a cleaner and more equitable energy economy, aligned with federal targets for a zero-carbon electricity system by 2035 and economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.
What types of projects is DOE looking to support?
DOE is looking for energy efficiency upgrade projects in nonprofit facilities that are organized in a way that can scale. The opportunity emphasizes portfolios of projects that can capture economies of scale, leverage additional funding, and create innovative partnerships, rather than isolated single-facility upgrades.
What does DOE mean by an "aggregation model"?
The aggregation model means DOE expects to make a smaller number of larger awards to Prime recipients, and those Prime recipients then assemble and manage a bundled portfolio of energy efficiency projects across many nonprofit facilities. Instead of DOE awarding many small grants to individual nonprofits, the Prime recipient coordinates and supports multiple project sites under one larger award.
Who is a "Prime recipient" under this model?
A Prime recipient is the lead organization that applies directly to DOE and, if selected, receives the award. The Prime recipient is responsible for putting together a bundle of projects across multiple nonprofit facilities and providing the technical, administrative, and project support needed to plan and complete those upgrades.
Can individual nonprofit facilities participate without being the Prime recipient?
Yes. Many nonprofits may participate as subrecipients or partner sites within a larger coordinated application led by a Prime recipient. The description indicates DOE expects bundled portfolios to collectively cover hundreds of nonprofit facilities, which implies broad participation beyond the limited number of Prime awards.
How many awards does DOE expect to make?
DOE anticipates making roughly 5 to 15 awards under the aggregation model, with an overall expectation of up to 15 awards.
What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling is up to $9,000,000 per award.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordination, reporting, oversight, and technical engagement, rather than a hands-off grant structure.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
This opportunity is listed under the Energy activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 81.086.
Which DOE office is administering the opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the DOE Golden Field Office, with DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs identified as the office through which the opportunity is released.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed at nonprofit organizations, specifically including nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, as stated in the opportunity listing.
Do eligibility rules differ depending on whether you are a Prime recipient or a subrecipient/partner?
The listing notes that eligibility rules can be nuanced and sometimes differ between prime applicants and other team members. Organizations are expected to confirm whether they intend to participate as a Prime recipient, a subrecipient, or another type of partner, and verify that the chosen structure aligns with the FOA requirements.
What is DOE prioritizing in how projects are designed?
DOE is emphasizing approaches that can be replicated and expanded, create innovative partnerships, leverage additional funding, and capture economies of scale. The FOA also reflects a broader federal priority to direct benefits toward disadvantaged communities and energy communities, so applicants are expected to consider who benefits, how benefits are distributed, and how the work can be sustained beyond the grant period.
What communities are emphasized in the opportunity?
The announcement highlights directing benefits toward disadvantaged communities and energy communities. Applicants are expected to think about the distribution of benefits and long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.
What section of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law does this support?
The work funded under this announcement supports Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40542.
How can organizations find partners or join a project team?
DOE maintains a "Teaming Partner List" as a matchmaking resource to help organizations form multi-entity teams for bundled applications. Organizations can use it to signal interest in joining a team or to find partners for an application.
How do you get added to the Teaming Partner List?
Organizations can add themselves by completing a Microsoft form available through the Renew America's Nonprofits webpage (https://www.energy.gov/scep/renew-americas-nonprofits) or by emailing their information to Nonprofits@doe.gov with the subject line "Teaming Partner Information."
What is the FOA number for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number is DE-FOA-0003066.
When was the opportunity originally posted?
The initial posting/creation date listed for the opportunity is May 24, 2023.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date listed is August 3, 2023.
Why is DOE using a bundled portfolio approach instead of many small direct awards?
DOE is intentionally using an aggregation model to avoid issuing hundreds of small awards directly to individual nonprofits. The intent is to make a smaller number of larger awards to well-resourced Prime recipients who can bundle projects across many facilities, create repeatable processes, and scale impact nationally.
What is the expected overall scale of facility upgrades under this approach?
DOE anticipates awarding roughly 5 to 15 grants to Prime recipients, and the bundled portfolios are intended to collectively cover hundreds of nonprofit facilities.
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| Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Apply for DE FOA 0003038 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003038 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
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| Notice of Intent to issue Administrative and Legal Requirements Document Announcement (ALRD), titled “IRA: Mitigating Emissions from Marginal Conventional Wells” Apply for DE FOA 0003108 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003108 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $150,000,000 |
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| BIL - Carbon Utilization Procurement Grants under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40302 Apply for DE FOA 0002829 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002829 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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| Energy Storage Demonstration and Validation Apply for DE FOA 0003036 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003036 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
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