Spark Northwest is seizing the day and expanding our impact with our Energy Innovation Fund!
In the past 12 months, we have won millions in public funding for local communities using strategic first-mile investments. The vast majority of these funds don’t go to Spark Northwest—they go into the hands of people often left behind in the clean energy transition. Spark Northwest excels at this work. But you know what surprised us? Remarkably, we leveraged less than $100k to secure over $4 million in public investments.
So, how did this happen?
We Launched the Fund
We pitched our “incubator” fund last summer and pooled $100k in startup funds. We used these funds to deepen our engagement with clean energy champions in frontline communities.
Secured MILLIONS
Working together, we translated their clean energy vision into fundable proposals. This work resulted in over four million dollars in public grants awarded!
Pathway to Success
We learned that this strategy works. Investing in Spark Northwest is driving early-stage capacity building, research and development of clean energy solutions.
Current Innovation Fund Priorities
- Healthy Multifamily Homes: Thriving people live in healthy homes. Spark Northwest is piloting innovative energy efficiency solutions, while making sure that renters—who are often left out of the green transition conversation—have a seat at the table. Together we can save lives and money in low-income communities by making multifamily apartments cleaner, cooler and more efficient.
- Energy Resilience in Yakima Valley: Residents of Yakima Valley, a vibrant agricultural community in southeastern Washington, experience some of the state’s worst health outcomes and energy burdens. We are growing a resilience hub network, including Yakima Buddhist Church, Wellness House, Casa Hogar, St. Michael’s Episcopal Mission, and the Yakama Nation. This program is scalable, and can get off the ground one community at a time, or with multiple groups.
- Incubating New Energy Projects: Spark Northwest offers no-cost, first-mile support—including trainings, technical assistance and grant guidance to help underfunded groups access millions in public funds for clean energy.
By classifying funds as general operating, the Energy Innovation Fund is designed to be opportunity-driven and scalable, whether it’s a shovel-ready solar or heat pump project or a new idea needing incubation. By investing early and flexibly, the fund seeds models that can grow across the region and stack with future public and private funding streams.
Expand Our Impact
We are at a key moment: Historic levels of public funds are available for clean energy in frontline communities. Those funds are not going to be around indefinitely. The time to act is now.
Make a tax-deductible gift to support the Energy Innovation fund and join us to fight for a future where these resilient communities are leading the energy transition – not being left behind. Get in touch with Ally Ang for more ways for contribute.