Earth Day spotlights the work organizations like Groundswell do to protect our planet and the communities we serve while building clean energy futures. Groundswell’s values call us to drive transformative change, expanding energy equity and partnering on solar projects that alleviate high energy burdens in historically under-served communities. But we can’t do it alone. Truly transformative change — the kind that changes communities and the world — is only possible when we work together.
Our values of service and equity fueled our excitement when we learned that Groundswell was selected as a first-round winner for the Community Power Accelerator Prize. This grant is made possible by the Department of Energy (DOE) National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP). The Community Power Accelerator Prize invests in organizations that create opportunities for communities to participate in the clean energy movement by making renewable energy — and its benefits — accessible.
The impact of solar development that purposefully focuses on energy equity and community needs is clearly visible through projects at the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Luke Baptist Church, DuPont Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, and DuPont Park Seventh Day Adventist Apartments in Washington, DC. These projects were energized a little more than 3 years ago. Thanks to SharePower subscribers, these solar arrays have prevented roughly 924 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution and provided more than $161,000 in clean energy savings so far.
Growing and Serving With Joy
We welcomed four new members to our team: Marta Monti [Director of Project Development], Tiffani Lawson [Resiliency Program Manager], Tanjila Sharif [Web Development Manager], and Autumn (AJ) Hough [Special Assistant to the CEO]
This month, we were also able to grow as leaders within our teams and our communities through leadership training facilitated by Korn Ferry in DC. The entire team gathered to learn critical leadership lessons and practices. This training showed us how each person on our team can be a leader and underscored how we are all responsible for using these leadership skills to build community power.
We look forward to working with these newest members of our team to build equitable clean energy futures that reflect the beautiful diversity of the communities we serve. Thank you to all our subscribers and supporters who make this work possible. We couldn’t do it without you.
Calling All Target Circle Rewards Members!
Groundswell has partnered with Target Circle, from now through the end of June you can vote for Groundswell to receive funding with every purchase you make! As a Target Circle member, guests earn a vote for each Target trip. Guests can then use those votes to direct where funds go in support of nonprofits in their community and across the nation. Please note that you may only vote for Groundswell in DC, South Georgia, Chicago, North and South Illinois areas.