Named Communities Investment Fund
Speaker 1, Mike Diedesch: All of us are impacted by energy in one way or another and we all use energy every day.
Speaker 2, Ana Matthews: We wouldn’t be able to make a difference for clean energy if we didn’t have the Named Communities Investment Fund.
The Clean Energy Transformation Act is making sure that all customers can be at the front end of the clean energy transformation.
Speaker 3, Kristine Meyer: What we’re doing is looking at projects for things like deferred maintenance or capital improvements to buildings in Named Communities or nonprofits.
Speaker 4, Sarah Ben Olson: The NCIF team drew up a specialty rebate package just for our homes.
Speaker 5, Joe Ader: We upgraded all the exterior windows on our building.
Speaker 6, Brittany Tyler: They provided us with the funding to purchase the more energy efficient models of the appliances.
Speaker 5, Joe Ader: The benefit of those utility costs going down, so now that money goes into getting more kids out of homelessness and housed.
Speaker 2, Ana Matthews: We have a resource in place that truly makes a difference.
Speaker 3, Kristine Meyer: When we started, I thought this was just going to be a bunch of solar panel installations. We’ve done a few solar panels. But we’ve done so much more than that.
Speaker 2, Ana Matthews: Avista has had a legacy of considering customers who are resource constrained.
Speaker 3, Kristine Meyer: And we’re doing it through energy.
But it’s having an impact in so much more.
Speaker 7, Freda Gandy: It takes all of us. If one succeeds, all of us succeed.
Speaker 2, Ana Matthews: To have 50 organizations participate is pretty significant.
Speaker 3, Kristine Meyer: The difference the funds are making for people, it’s really powerful.
Speaker 8, Mike Neves: I would encourage any business out there that has an opportunity to work for Avista to go for it.
It was a great experience.
Speaker 9, Heather Rosentrater: I’m really excited about the future and working together is one of the best ways that I can see for us to enable a vibrant community.
Apply now for funding through Avista’s Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF).
The Named Communities Investment Fund provides a total of up to $5 million annually to projects, programs, and initiatives that directly benefit Washington electric customers who are members of Named Communities. The competitive grant program is part of Avista’s commitment to Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act, as we strive to make clean energy more equitable and accessible for Washington customers.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funding has been awarded.
Printable application
Available in English and Spanish. Please email completed applications and questions to AvistaCETANCIF@avistacorp.com or mail to:
Avista Named Communities Investment Fund, Scott Morris Center, MSCR-71
1411 E Mission
Spokane, WA
99202
What are Named Communities?
They are populations that are most often disproportionately and negatively impacted by environmental change, due to unemployment, housing and food insecurity, income inequality, and other factors.
Named Communities include:
- Tribal nations
- Low-income communities
- Communities of color
- Rural communities
- Frontline communities
Application and Funding Process
Funding for community-based projects is chosen through a competitive grant application process. Applicants can expect to receive a funding decision from Avista within 45 days of submitting their application.
NCIF grant applications must demonstrate benefits to Named Community populations and contribute positively to Customer Benefit Indicators (CBIs), as defined by Avista’s CEIP, to be successful. Avista will give priority consideration to applications submitted by nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organizations that serve Avista’s Washington electric customers residing within Named Communities.
Award Highlights
We are invested in many communities with a variety of programs, from energy efficiency upgrades to community resilience and more. Here are a few highlights:
- Family Promise Service Center & Shelter, Spokane County
- KWEnergy Aeroseal Pilot, Stevens County, Ferry County and Pend Oreille County
- Malden Town Hall & Community Center, Whitman County
- Town of Washtunca, Adams County
- Spokane Tribe, Stevens County
- Raze Early Childhood Development, Spokane County
Read more stories from our NCIF partners.
