San Diego Community Power, in partnership with San Diego Foundation, announced a $750,000 reinvestment into local clean energy initiatives, inviting nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations to apply for funding. The Community Clean Energy Grants program, an annual initiative, supports projects that advance clean energy, green jobs, and sustainability programs across the San Diego region.
Since its launch in 2023, the program has invested nearly $2.5 million in organizations delivering clean energy education, workforce training, electrification projects, and community resilience initiatives throughout Community Power’s service area, which includes the cities of Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, National City, San Diego, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Funding is provided by Community Power in partnership with San Diego Foundation and Calpine Community Energy.
This year’s grant cycle introduces a two-track funding model. Clean Energy Infrastructure grants support projects such as solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and community resilience hubs, particularly in underserved communities, with the potential to integrate resources into Community Power’s Virtual Power Plant. Clean Energy Programming grants focus on energy literacy, workforce development, youth engagement, and educational initiatives to help residents understand and benefit from clean energy solutions. Grant awards range from $25,000 to $150,000, with projects designed to be completed within 12 months, and are open only to organizations serving Community Power customers.
Previous grantees have highlighted the program’s transformative impact on local communities, citing its ability to combine clean energy infrastructure with education and workforce development to create long-lasting, equitable benefits. Tara Hammond, Founder and Executive Director of Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, noted that the grants advance climate justice while providing generational community benefits.
The 2026 grant application period opened on February 2, 2026, with proposals due by March 6, 2026. Technical assistance will be available during the application period to support applicants, and grant awardees will be announced in late summer 2026. Full application details and guidelines are available through San Diego Foundation’s grant portal.
San Diego Community Power is a community choice energy program providing renewable energy options to nearly a million customers in the San Diego region, while San Diego Foundation partners with donors and nonprofits to create equitable, resilient communities. Calpine Community Energy supports Community Choice Aggregation agencies with data management and customer services, serving millions of meters across California.
