Nonprofit Assistance

GoodUse: Stronger Communities through Nonprofit Sustainability and Savings

The Program Eligibility & Application Support GoodUse FAQ

Apply for a Building Efficiency Grant

GoodUse has supported more than 700 nonprofit projects across 33 states, helping organizations reduce utility costs by an average of 30% while generating a 2.1× economic impact for every dollar invested.

Start your application today and discover how GoodUse can help your organization lower operating costs, strengthen your facilities, and create healthier, more resilient spaces for the communities you serve.

Stronger Buildings. Stronger Communities.

Deadline

Announcement

Eligible Locations

2026 TBD

2026 TBD

2026 TBD
*See eligibility section below for details
Apply Now

GoodUse Program subrecipient eligibility and grant amounts.

Eligibility

  • Federally registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
  • Must own or long term lease (5+years) the building.
  • Strong organizational health and must meet our cost share requirements which are based on the NPO’s operating budget (see breakdown below). 
  • If the organization is religious, the organization is only eligible if 50% or less of their space is dedicated to religious activities. Religious organizations must also offer non-religious programs to all.
  • Organizations must have/set up an Energy Star Portfolio Manager account with the previous year’s utility data before the assessment date.
  • Existing buildings only. This grant either supports minor renovations of a building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying or major renovations/gut rehab of an existing building that your organization is CURRENTLY occupying and does not require a ground disturbance permit. 

Grant Amounts and Cost Share

Funding applies to existing buildings for any utility efficiency upgrades, excluding solar.

  • No information is available at this time. Grant award amounts and cost-share requirements will be announced when the next funding round opens.
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The Process

Application
01
Nonprofits must complete the eligibility survey and application to be considered for GoodUse. The application includes organizational background and facility information. Applications undergo a third-party and financial review that helps identify which nonprofits will be awarded based on each applicant’s impact, need, and mission.

Nonprofits must complete the eligibility survey and application to be considered for GoodUse. The application includes organizational background and facility information. Applications undergo a third-party and financial review that helps identify which nonprofits will be awarded based on each applicant’s impact, need, and mission.

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Preparation
02
Once your nonprofit is selected, you are required to have an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account with 12 months’ worth of utility bills input by the assessment date. Southface’s GoodUse team will then hold an introduction meeting to review the process and answer questions.

Once your nonprofit is selected, you are required to have an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account with 12 months’ worth of utility bills input by the assessment date. Southface’s GoodUse team will then hold an introduction meeting to review the process and answer questions.

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Assessment
03
 Southface will schedule an onsite building assessment and create a report that identifies which facility upgrades will benefit your organization. This project recommendation list will include estimated savings and return on investment.

 Southface will schedule an onsite building assessment and create a report that identifies which facility upgrades will benefit your organization. This project recommendation list will include estimated savings and return on investment.

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Implementation
04
After report review and project selection, you will begin gathering bids for the pursued projects. Communication with Southface during this time is crucial. We are here to help! Bid selection and project implementation must be completed within 12 months.

After report review and project selection, you will begin gathering bids for the pursued projects. Communication with Southface during this time is crucial. We are here to help! Bid selection and project implementation must be completed within 12 months.

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Final Inspection
05
Southface will complete a final assessment of your facility after project completion to ensure proper installation and performance. Since long-term impact is the goal, the team will follow up and assist, continually measuring success. Maintaining the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for a year post project completion is a great way to monitor use. Consider us your partner in serving your community sustainably!

Southface will complete a final assessment of your facility after project completion to ensure proper installation and performance. Since long-term impact is the goal, the team will follow up and assist, continually measuring success. Maintaining the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for a year post project completion is a great way to monitor use. Consider us your partner in serving your community sustainably!

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Common Projects

GoodUse supports a wide range of projects aimed at utility savings, including HVAC upgrades, LED lighting and controls, WiFi-enabled programmable thermostats, insulation and air sealing, building automation systems, and more. If a project can reduce utility costs, it may qualify for funding through the program.

Is your organization eligible for a GoodUse grant?