Grandom Institution Funds: Clean Affordable Energy Solutions – Jul 1

Posted by Friends Fiduciary on March 14, 2023

The Grandom Institution was founded in 1842 by a generous bequest from Hartt Grandom, a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, Grandom funds were chiefly used for the distribution of firewood and coal at reduced rates to the poor of Philadelphia. Today The Grandom Institution is a collection of several trusts that make grants to organizations serving low-income people, for a range of energy assistance, energy, and self-sufficiency purposes every year for over 175 years.

Adapting to changing demands, in the latter half of the 20th century, funds have been distributed to organizations for all types of heating fuel, including oil, gas and electricity; for preventative or self-help measures such as weatherization and insulation; for educational programs to assist individuals to reduce their energy use and burden; and for energy efficiency improvements. The Grandom Institution has also supported heating costs and energy efficiency improvements to emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities in both Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

PRIORITIES OF THE GRANDOM INSTITUTION

Climate change is well underway and has a disproportionate impact on the poor and elderly. When evaluating grant requests from organizations, the Grandom Distribution Committee places a priority on clean, affordable energy solutions. These solutions are intended to increase self-sufficiency and reduce energy burden permanently.

Examples of the types of projects that meet this priority include:

• Self-help weatherization workshops including the distribution of materials for low-income households
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Decarbonization projects such as replacing fossil fuel heating systems with electric heat pumps. Decarbonization projects are those that replace fossil fuel end uses, e.g. fuel oil or gas, with clean energy such as electricity or solar
• Solar energy installations

Learn more and apply.

All applications for Winter 2023-24 must be received by July 1, 2023, no later than 5 pm.