To enable a diverse, under-served neighborhood to develop a community energy plan that delivers climate solutions that redress local disparities in housing, health, and economic opportunity.

Lessons learned about tools and tactics through the project that other sustainability directors could use to advance their work.

Historically, there was minimal equity/community participation in Oregon’s renewable energy sector. As a result of the grant-funded work, a path to set an equity-driven agenda for the renewable energy sector was created. Existing stakeholders responded to advocacy/ideas from new participants like Verde, Living Cully and the Coalition of Communities of Color to support a more inclusive marketplace. A certain baseline knowledge was needed to develop an informed, realistic neighborhood scale energy plan, knowledge that was unavailable in community organizations at the time — especially organizations that benefit low-income communities and communities of color.

Lessons for developing a collaborative process between a local government sustainability director and local place-based foundation(s).

The relationship between the Sustainability Director and Foundation was strengthened through the sharing of information about projects both entities were funding and supporting each other’s work.