1. Spurring Community
Energy Projects:
A guide to applying for
CERT Seed Grant Funding

2. Overview
1. Funding Overview
2. Application Materials
3. CERTs Funding Application
4. Application Submission
5. Review Criteria
6. Timeline
http://rfp.mncerts.org

3. Funding Overview
What is CERTs looking for in a proposal?
• Relates to clean energy or energy efficiency
• Includes an outreach component, such as
education or community involvement
• Fosters new network relationships
• Cost-effective and well-planned use of resources
Each Regional CERT has $10,000 in funding to allocate.
http://rfp.mncerts.org

4. Application Materials
Visit http://rfp.mncerts.org to find:
• Funding Application Form*
• Official RFP, FAQ & Contacts
• Project Impact Worksheets
• Previously-Funded Projects
* If your project is applying for funding from more than one region, you
must request a Multiple-Regions Application Addendum and submit it
with your application materials
http://rfp.mncerts.org

5. CERTs Funding Application
1. General Info
– Summary
– Organizational History
2. Project Narrative & Work Plan
– Connection to Community
3. Collaboration and Project Support
– Team Members
– Project Partners
http://rfp.mncerts.org

6. CERTs Funding Application
4. Project Focus and Impact
– Energy Focus
– Activities and Impacts: What are you doing around energy? Associated
Impacts? e.g. Implementation & Education and Outreach
– Project Impact Worksheets
5. Project Funding
– Other Funding Support and
Project Budget
– Match Requirement (NE CERT)
http://rfp.mncerts.org

7. Review Criteria
Statewide Criteria:
1. Projects that advance community energy efficiency and/or renewable energy
2. Ideally, projects that provide measurable energy savings/offsets
3. Projects that have high potential to provide replicable models
4. Projects that engage and involved a variety of community partners
…more in the Official RFP at http://rfp.mncerts.org
Regional Criteria:
1. Match requirement for NE CERT; Nonprofit or public entity for SW CERT
2. See regional priorities in the RFP and fill out region-specific sections of application
…more in the Official RFP at http://rfp.mncerts.org
http://rfp.mncerts.org

8. Application Submission
Applications due to RFP@CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org by 4:00pm
on Monday, July 2nd, 2012.
Items to include:
We will
confirm
• Required: Application in MS Word or PDF
receipt
• If applicable: Documentation of energy impacts
within
• If necessary: Letters of support for funding & partners
1-2 days
• If necessary: Multiple-Regions Application Addendum
Include your project name and CERT Region in the subject line of your email.
http://rfp.mncerts.org

9. Timeline
• July 2, 2012, 4pm: Proposals must be submitted
• August 1, 2012: Selections made by each regional CERT
• First week August, 2012: Awards announced
• August 10, 2012: Contracting forms due
• February 15, 2013, 4pm: Project Interim Report Due
• March 15, 2013: Funding revoked if project not started
• August 15, 2013, 4pm: Project completed, Final Report submitted
Invoices must be dated August 15th, 2013 or earlier to receive payment
http://rfp.mncerts.org

10. For More Information
Visit http://rfp.mncerts.org
for Frequently Asked Questions
and all supporting documents
http://rfp.mncerts.org