The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program Administrator is now accepting proposals for Grassroots Education campaigns for the 2024-2025 program year. As trusted members of their communities, Grassroots Education organizations will provide information to income-eligible households on the basics of solar energy, energy savings, and job training opportunities available through Illinois Solar for All. Grassroots Education organizations will also help income-eligible households learn about the benefits of solar participation through the Illinois Solar for All: Residential Solar and the Illinois Solar for All: Community Solar sub-programs.
Community-based non-profits across Illinois are invited to submit a proposal for education campaign funding. Selected organizations will conduct campaigns beginning in late summer 2024.
More About the RFP:
- Eligible organizations are community-based non-profits serving cities, towns, and rural communities anywhere in Illinois. Organizations should have strong local ties and a history of running successful education campaigns; solar experience is not required.
- Successful proposals will demonstrate how the organization will connect with community members to increase awareness of the benefits of solar and ILSFA. Proposals should focus their outreach efforts on income-eligible households that can participate in ILSFA, as well as environmental justice communities.
- Organizations with at least twelve months of prior experience as grassroots educators will be allowed to propose two-year campaigns.
- To simplify invoicing, proposals may now include per-unit pricing of certain activities, such as public events, that are inclusive of preparation time, travel costs, and event expenses. Organizations can do so by submitting a Labor Costs and Expenses Tables spreadsheet alongside their proposal.
Timeline:
- February 26, 2024: Watch the first RFP Q&A webinar.
- March 11, 2024: Register to attend the second RFP Q&A webinar.
- March 11, 2024: Questions about the GE RFP are due to Grassroots@IllinoisSFA.com
- April 1, 2024: Proposal submission deadline
- June 2024: Selected grassroots education campaigns announced
- July/August 2024: Onboarding for selected organizations