Sam Schanfarber, Business Development Manager and Kelly Stevens, Senior Manager, Strategic Communications & Partnerships at Forth gave this presentation at the PNW Utility Roundtable on June 3, 2021.
2. Outside Funding and You
Why should utilities care about outside funding?
1. Possibility to fund creative, innovative pilots designed by utility
2. Receive collateral/new programs by contributing cost-share to a pilot
designed by another entity
3. Outside Funding Opportunities at a Glance
Private/Foundation Funders are often
open to solicitation for one-off pilots
(within org charter) outside of RFPs
• Family Foundations (Walton; Alumbra)
• Non-profit Foundations (Bonneville
Environmental Foundation; Energy
Foundation)
Federal, State, & Municipal
funding opportunities; usually
solicit multiple RFPs for specific
types of projects:
● Department of Energy
● Department of Transportation
● Department of Commerce
● Department of Environmental
Quality
● State Infrastructure Grants
4. Types of Proposals/Projects
1. Design pilot tailored to funding opportunity
● Identify funding opportunity
● Design pilot around what funder seeks OR
modify previous program
2. Find funding for new idea
● Idea typically stems from a partner or could
be from utility
● Seek funder willing to fund pilot
5. Types of Partner
Organizations
1. Municipalities
2. Clean Cities Coalitions
3. Engineering/planning/
implementation firms
4. Local NGOs
5. National NGOs
6. OEMs/EVSE Manufacturers
6. Utility roles
As contributor/partner (project
dependent):
● Contribute cost-share through staff time
● Contribute cash cost-share offset by
grant funds
● Implement program(s) or collateral from
project
● Provide project data to prime
As a prime:
● Manage all grant reporting and required
PR
● Project manage scope of grant
● (As applicable) seek additional funding
or build sustainable revenue model
7. AMP (Affordable
Mobility Platform)
● Self-Service Ride &
Drive/carshare platform
● Utilities can place a vehicle
in their service territory to
be utilized by customers
● Pilot currently being funded
by APPA+BEF
● In the pilot stage, utility
provides cost-share and
promotes program
8. E Tractors Project
● Pilot purchased an electric
tractor to be used/tested at
rural farms over project
period
● Goal is to advance rural
transportation electrification
● Multiple partners
● Utility has joined project as a
funder, a communications
and distribution partner, and
provide infrastructure
incentives
9. Questions?
Contact:
● Sam Schanfarber
Business Development Manager
sams@forthmobility.org
● Kelly Stevens
Senior Manager, Strategic
Communications & Partnerships
kellys@forthmobility.org