Apex Community Grant Program
Powering better communities
overview
One of Apex Clean Energy’s primary goals is to be a dependable, long-term community partner with residents, local governments, and community organizations where our projects are located. One small way we do this is by giving back to host communities through the Apex Community Grant Program.
Through the program, Apex works to enhance its renewable energy projects’ economic benefits for rural America, which has not always shared in the economic investment that urban and suburban communities benefit from. The program’s goal is to fund projects and programs that build safe and healthy communities, create economic opportunity, encourage environmental sustainability, and promote education. Since 2017, Apex has donated more than $4 million in support of organizations across the country.
Funding and Eligibility
- Community grants tend to fall in the $1,000-to-$10,000 range, but may be larger or smaller depending on the local project size and community needs.
- Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) organization or other qualified not-for-profit in good standing with the IRS.
- Funds are awarded on a regular basis through development, construction, and operations once the program is launched for an Apex project.
Eligible groups include organizations working to make a positive difference in one of four key areas that align with Apex’s core values:
Funding Areas
Safe and Healthy Communities
Programs that support first responders, public health, good government, open communication, citizen resources, and/or enhance the quality of life in the community
FEATURED RECIPIENT
Orleans Community Health Foundation (Orleans County, NY)
“We are thankful for this support from Apex. Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are low, and costs are high. This grant will enable us to invest in sterilization solutions to safely reuse PPE as we work to secure more N95 masks and other protective gear.”
—Heather Smith, Executive Director
Economic Development
Programs encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit and serving as a catalyst for economic opportunity and development within the community
FEATURED RECIPIENT
United Way of Orleans County (Orleans County, NY)
“The United Way of Orleans County is extremely thankful for the generosity and support from Apex and the Heritage Wind landowners. The dollars raised
will go a long way toward helping the most critically vulnerable people in our county.”
—Dean Bellack, Executive Director
Environmental Sustainability
Programs that possess a strong link to environmental revitalization, sustainability, or education; empower residents to be stewards of the environment; and/or encourage partnerships to address environmental concerns and sustainability
FEATURED RECIPIENT
Project SHARE (Washington County, ME)
“We appreciate the support from Apex to help sustain the efforts of Project SHARE as we work to positively impact Atlantic salmon recovery efforts and restore natural stream processes in the watersheds that are home to this national treasure for generations to come.”
—Steven Koenig, Executive Director
Education
Programs that support educational institutions; the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and vocational training programs; this may include curriculum development, literacy, school readiness, and other initiatives that help students grow into young leaders
FEATURED RECIPIENT
Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center (Oneida County, NY)
“We are truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Apex to promote educational programs for area youth, with a focus on alternative energy.”
—JoAnn Ballard, Executive Director
Investing in Inspirational People
Apex Clean Energy is honored to support Special Olympics Illinois and athletes like Rachel Zakutansky through its Community Grant Program. Apex’s grant funding will help support everything from renting competition venues to purchasing health and safety equipment such as wheelchair ramps and guide ropes for blind runners.
More Community Grant Highlights
Lincoln Rural Fire
Logan County, IL
for the purchase of a brush fire unit
$9,000
Aid in Milan
Monroe County, MI
to expand its food pantry’s community garden program, including the addition of a greenhouse and working with local farms to harvest leftover produce that normally would go unused
$5,000
Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department
Botetourt County, VA
to complete LED and solar lighting upgrades to its interior, exterior, and outdoor pavilion facilities
$3,500
Maine Seacoast Mission
Washington County, ME
to allow the mission to expand its food bank hours and provide more direct assistance to families in need
$2,500
Beal City Public Schools
Isabella County, MI
to fund the school robotics team
$5,000
Lake Land College
Coles County, IL
to endow a scholarship in STEM education
$25,000
Jasper County Boys and Girls Park
Jasper County, IL
to help build an open-air pavilion for families and community members to use year-round
$3,000
The Giving Tree
Bowman County, ND
to enrich the lives of local residents who are facing financial hardships through donations of winter attire and medical travel baskets
$2,500
Downs Fire Protection District
McLean County, IL
for multiple training opportunities and much-needed equipment, including communications devices and digitally connected CPR training mannequins
$5,000
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