Eligibility

2023 Grant Cycle Dates:

Information on next year’s grant cycle will be announced in the fall.
  • Eligibility
  • Awards support the planning or implementation of capital projects that reduce emissions by improving efficiency in building energy use.
  • You or your parent organization must be a 501(c)3 organization.
  • Only institutions that have visual arts as a key part of their mission and programming may apply. This includes collecting and non-collecting institutions as well as visual arts schools.
  • The institution must be physically located in the U.S. or its territories.
  • There are no institutional or budget size limitations or preferences. Museums of all sizes are encouraged to apply.
  • Previous grantees are eligible to submit applications for subsequent years. Application types may be the same if funding is requested for a different project. For example, if institution A receives Implementation funding for LED replacement in year 1, institution A may request Implementation funding again but for a different project in year 3 (e.g., air chiller replacement).
  • Only one inquiry per institution, please. If an institution is part of a larger umbrella institution, one inquiry is allowed per each institution. For example, if a university has a Museum of European Art and Museum of American Art, one inquiry is allowed per museum.
There are three types of grants: Scoping, Technical Assistance, and Implementation.

Scoping Grants

A Scoping Grant is intended to help you understand your energy efficiency needs and clean energy options by undertaking an assessment with an independent environmental engineer. This work might include professional fees and monitoring or testing for energy and systems audits, recommendations on initial no/low-cost actions, and recommended areas for planning larger interventions to increase efficiency, reduce total consumption, and access renewable sources.
These grants range from $10,000 to $25,000 and have 1- or 2-year timeframes. These grants benefit institutions that are getting started in reducing their emissions footprint while reducing their reliance on fossil fuels to heat, cool, and power their buildings.

Technical Assistance Grants

A Technical Assistance Grant will help an institution specify and accurately budget a project for which the initial inquiries are complete. This may include providing designs and specifications, and connections to energy services companies (ESCOs) skilled at both project support and 3rd party financing.
These grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 and have 1- or 2-year timeframes.

Implementation Grants

An Implementation Grant directly addresses your institution’s climate impact, such as supporting lower cost, higher payback items. It can also serve as seed money that leads to matches for a larger capital project.
These grants range from $50,000 to $100,000 and may take up to 2 years or more.