TernSOLAR Grant

Expanding solar renewable energy for the nonprofit sector in Massachusetts since 2010.

At Tern Foundation, we focus our grantmaking on solar renewable energy, through our TernSOLAR challenge grant program.

 

Priority areas for the grant are:

  • Environment

  • Arts & Culture

The foundation does not make grants outside of these priority areas.

TernSOLAR Challenge Grant

Let sunlight electrify your facilities and power your mission. 

The TernSOLAR challenge grant program provides funding assistance for solar panel installations.

The grant is designed to:

  • Support the transition to renewable energy, zero carbon communities in Massachusetts.

  • Make solar technology more accessible to nonprofit organizations.

  • Help nonprofits generate their own clean energy while reducing utility expenses that can be better spent on their mission.

Grant Eligibility

Grants are offered to dynamic nonprofits that engage creatively around environmental issues with their communities, and that consider future generations and the natural environment in their strategic priorities and sustainability planning.

 

Organizations are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

  • The organization seeks to combine energy efficiency and solar technology for its facilities and capital project.

  • The organization owns the building and/or land (if ground-mounted) where the solar panels will be installed, or has secured a long-term lease.

  • The organization has researched the feasibility of solar panels for the site, and ensures responsible solar siting that does not require the destruction of forests.

  • The organization will purchase its solar panel system outright (vs. a lease, loan, or any other financing tools) and will be the sole owner upon installation, and the sole beneficiary of all solar incentives including the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program.

  • New capital projects and renovations are centered around the value of environmental responsibility, from architectural design through construction, and this value will be communicated as a core message of the fundraising campaign.

  • The organization is registered and in good standing as a U.S. tax-exempt 501c3 in Massachusetts.

Eligible Matching Donations

TernSOLAR is structured as a challenge grant with a dual purpose: to motivate donors around the recipient organization's mission while also addressing ways to take collective action on climate. The matching fund model provides opportunities to leverage the grant in a fundraising campaign and to engage creatively with the public and philanthropic community.

Tern Foundation matches donations as a 1:1 cash match, up to the amount of the grant. In-kind donations, proceeds from loans or the sale of an organization’s assets are not eligible for the match.

 

Eligible matching contributions may be applied toward:

  • The balance on the cost of the panels as needed.

  • Combined energy efficiency, building electrification, and eco-conscious design/build components of a project, including heat pumps, battery backup storage, LED lighting, etc.

  • Electric vehicles and/or EV charging station.

  • Programming with an environmental education component.

  • Land conservation.

We collaborate with local organizations that want to join the green energy movement to benefit their communities and the natural environment.

Letter of Inquiry

Grant applications are by invitation only; we do not accept unsolicited grant proposals. If your organization meets the TernSOLAR grant eligibility criteria, we are very interested to learn about your solar project and encourage you to send a Letter of Inquiry on your organization’s letterhead, signed by the individual who will be in charge of overseeing the solar project.

Please include the following in your Letter of Inquiry:

  1. Organizational snapshot: name, mission, and a concise description of your programs/services. Describe how you engage creatively and collaboratively with your community.

  2. A clear description of your solar project for which you need funding, including existing or planned energy efficient aspects of the building (in addition to the solar panels). Please include a general project timeframe.

  3. A short bio including name and qualifications of the individual who will be overseeing the project and matching grant fundraising campaign.

  4. How did you hear about Tern Foundation?

Email your Letter of Inquiry in PDF format to Lisa Linnehan, Co-director at lisa@ternfoundation.org. Shortly after we receive your Letter of Inquiry we will contact you. If you have any questions, feel free to email us and we can set up a call.