FAQs

Application Process

  • We encourage grantees to move “through” their climate action journey with the FCI.

    • Grantees who have received three FCI grants are ineligible for the 2025 cycle.

    • Grantees must be up-to-date with their reporting requirements.

    • Grantees must not apply for the same grant type and same project. Grant requests may be for the same grant type but a different project or for a different grant type for the same project. For example:

      • A Scoping grant to identify the highest impact areas in energy use could be followed by a Technical Assistance grant to specify a chiller replacement project recommended during the first grant project.

      • An organization may have self-funded and conducted an ASHRAE Level II audit and have plans for two implementation projects: both would be eligible over two different application cycles.

  • Ineligible organizations

    • Have received three FCI grants in the 2021–24 cycles.

    • Are not located in the United States and its territories.

    • Are not a 501(c)(3) organization or cannot demonstrate a relationship with a vetted fiscal sponsor. 

    • Cannot demonstrate that a significant portion of their mission and programming relates to visual art.

    Refer to the Eligibility Guidelines and Eligibility Quiz for more information.

  • The FCI does not fund for-profit entities. If you are a newly established nonprofit, or if you work with a fiscal sponsor, pass-through, or nonprofit partner for gifts and grants, please include this information in your application. Please contact us if you have questions about eligibility and applying with a pass-through.

    If you are municipally owned entity, you are eligible.

  • Yes. multiple organizations and/or entities under a single umbrella organization may apply. Only one application is accepted per entity.

  • New buildings, existing buildings, and building expansions are all eligible.

  • Yes. Check with your landlord or building owner—many owners are enthusiastic about sustainable tenant improvements and may offer free rent in return! Note that government or municipal buildings must provide evidence of their nonprofit status or a demonstrated commitment from a fiscal sponsor.

  • Applicants may only apply to one funding category per grant cycle.

  • Projects must begin June 1–August 31, 2025.

    Projects must be completed by:

    • Catalyst: December 31, 2025

    • Scoping and Technical Assistance: December 31, 2026

    • Implementation: August 31, 2027

    Note: If a project is part of a larger overall project, the overall project may begin and/or end outside of these dates.

Organization and Project Eligibility

    • Demonstrated need

    • Reasonable scope

    • Clear goals

    • Significant potential climate impact

    • Feasible implementation

    • Sound technical project design

    • Appropriate consultants and team members

    • Complete project documentation

    • Specific budget

  • No.

    A match of demonstration of investment internal to organizations or from external funds is strongly encouraged for Implementation grants.

  • Applicants must submit applications in alignment to the FCI Grant Types and their funding limits.

    However, applicants can use FCI funding to catalyze, match, or otherwise support projects with budgets exceeding our funding limits.

    Please include the full cost of your overall project in the Budget section of your application. You may indicate any matches or funding partner opportunities, even if they are uncommitted at the time of application.

    Your submitted Budget should be accurate to the best of your knowledge at the time of submission.

  • No.

  • No.

  • FCI limits spending on certain kinds of project costs. FCI funds will not cover:

    • Overhead/indirect fees/operating costs.

    • Previously purchased services, equipment, or materials.

    • Re-grants.

    • Lobbying or advocacy.

    • Reusable equipment.

    • Food, travel, lodging, conference, entertainment, event registration fees or event fees.

    • Implementation applicants only: no more than 2 percent can be allocated to communications.

  • No. We understand that you may be in the process of selecting consultants. If a vendor is not selected, applicants should share where they are in the decision process, what companies they are waiting to hear from and the criteria they are using for selection.

Grantee Reporting

Application Content

  • Yes. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the FCI website.

  • Potential applicants should first determine eligibility by completing the Eligibility Quiz.

    The Foundation does not accept unsolicited inquiries regarding FCI applications and cannot provide guidance via phone consultation.

    The guidelines and instructions listed on this website are designed to help you plan what information to share. The FCI will only provide feedback on drafts submitted by the draft deadline of February 21.

    Potential applicants—and especially first-time applicants—are strongly encouraged to attend the January 23 informational webinar.

    Basic and/or specific questions about eligibility or the potential suitability of your project may be submitted via email to info@frankenthalerclimateinitiative.org.

  • Beginning Wednesday, January 15, 2025, prospective applicants may register to submit an application and apply via the Grant Portal.

    If eligibility is valid upon review by the FCI Team, login credentials will be emailed within 2 business days from the email address do-not-reply.grants07-us-east-1@fluxx.io.

    If you have not received login credentials or an email from the FCI Team within three business days, please check your spam folder and contact info@frankenthalerclimateinitiative.org.

  • Beginning January 15, 2025, if eligibility is valid upon review by the FCI Team, login credentials will be emailed within 2 business days from the email address do-not-reply.grants07-us-east-1@fluxx.io.

    If you have not received login credentials or an email from the FCI Team within 3 business days, please check your spam folder and contact info@frankenthalerclimateinitiative.org.

  • Submission of an application draft is required for Implementation grants and optional for Catalyst, Scoping, and Technical Assistance grants. Prospective implementation grantees will not be allowed to begin an application after February 21.

    The deadline to submit a draft application is 5pm ET, Friday, February 21.

    Drafts will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

  • Final applications for the 2025 grant cycle are due by 5pm ET, Friday, March 28, 2025. However, Implementation grant applicants are required to submit a draft by 5pm ET, Friday, February 21 to be considered.

  • Payments are issued within three weeks of receipt of a signed grant agreement. Grant agreements are issued within five business days of award. Funding is issued as one lump-sum.

  • Using Energy Star® Portfolio Manager® (ESPM) for reporting is required. The FCI team will provide instructions and support for setting up and using ESPM for reporting.

    In addition, Implementation grant applicants are required to submit a Progress and Goals report reflecting calendar year 2024 energy use as part of their application.

    Review the Grantee Reporting section of the Eligibility Guidelines for more information.

  • Yes. This is required as part of your application. Please review the Eligibility Guidelines for more information.

  • For Prospective applicants, we suggest reviewing these resources: