2025 Grant Recipients: Empowering Sierra Leone Project, Hope for Ukraine, Footprint Project
The CFEBA Grants Committee received nine grant applications during the application period, and after careful deliberation, the CFEBA is pleased to announce two grant recipients for 2025. In addition, the CFEBA has awarded a one-time donation to support hurricane disaster relief. Information about these awards is shown below. Thank you to the EBA members and other donors who made these awards possible. With your continued support, the CFEBA can continue to power positive change.
- Empowering Sierra Leone Project (ESL)
A grant of $20,000 toward the construction of solar energy powered food drying huts in the Sierra Leone villages of Bagbwe and Lalehun. The drying huts will greatly reduce post-harvest loss. - Hope For Ukraine (HFU)
A grant of $20,000 toward providing solar generators and electric cooktops to families in Kerson and Lviv, Ukraine, as well as education about energy efficiency and use of these kits. - Footprint Project
A grant of $10,000 to support immediate energy-related disaster recovery efforts stemming from Hurricane Helene.
“We were thrilled to receive so many worthy applications for energy-related grant projects this year. We selected these three inspiring projects because each can be quickly deployed to meaningfully impact people’s lives around the world. We hope to you see you at the CFEBA Gala in May, which supports the foundation's ability to make these grants year after year.” - Katlyn Davis Farrell, CFEBA President, 2024-2025
Empowering Sierra Leone Project ($20,000)
The Forum for Agriculture, Innovation, Empowerment for Children and Youth in Sierra Leone (FAIECY-SL) and Association of Energy Engineers - George Washington University Chapter (GWAEE) have partnered to address global inequalities, create climate change education programs, and build a more resilient Sierra Leone. Central to the project are FAIECY-SL’s solar energy drying huts, which recover 20-30% of farmers' yields lost to moisture or rodents. This initiative also provides U.S. students with opportunities to gain a global perspective and contribute to sustaining life on our planet. Learn more about Empowering Sierra Leone here.
Hope For Ukraine ($20,000)
Hope for Ukraine (HFU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Ukrainians affected by conflict and poverty. Hope for Ukraine works to combat energy poverty with sustainable solutions, prioritize public health through reliable power for food preparation, and enhance disaster resilience in conflict-affected areas. The project funded by the CFEBA grant aims to deliver 8+ hours of daily reliable power per family, coupled with energy efficiency education. Learn more about Hope for Ukraine here.
The Footprint Project ($10,000)
The CFEBA was impressed with The Footprint Project's commitment to providing immediate energy-related assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Footprint Project's mission is to help #BuildBackGreener after disasters by providing cleaner energy to communities in crisis. Learn more about Footprint Project here.
Prior CFEBA Grant Projects
The availability of affordable energy is one of the world's critical issues impacting public health, safety and education. Statistics say there are approximately 1.3 billion people living in energy poverty around the world.
CFEBA supports charitable projects that have an energy-related purpose and are focused on improving lives worldwide. Over the years, through the generous support of our members, the CFEBA has funded approximately 2 million dollars to provide energy access to those most in need.
Cornerstone Grant Recipient 2024: Feeding Northeast Florida
The CFEBA selected Feeding Northeast Florida as the 2024 Cornerstone Grant Recipient, awarding the organization $50,000 to support the installation of solar electric infrastructure designed to reduce food bank utility costs and provide resiliency in the face of natural disasters.
Grant Recipient 2024: The NEED Project
The CFEBA gave a $10,000 grant to the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED). The NEED Project works with energy companies, state and federal agencies, and other organizations to produce energy programs for U.S. schools.
Cornerstone Project 2023: Nova Ukraine
As a result of recent attacks on the Ukrainian power grid, Nova Ukraine‘s grant request focused on the immediate need for electric generators in hospitals and warming centers across the country. This grant of $50,000 covered nearly 60% of the initial generator project needs.
Cornerstone Project 2020, Yurok Tribe
In 2020, CFEBA donors helped the Yurok Tribe, the largest federally recognized Indian Tribe in California, build a micro-grid that will allow the Tribe to maintain critical services and operations during extended power outages and emergencies.
Cornerstone Project 2019, Educate Haiti
In 2019, the CFEBA partnered with Educate Haiti, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to electrify schools buildings and help educate more than 400 students in Durissy, Haiti.
Cornerstone Project 2018- Puerto Rico Primary Care
The 2018 grant to Puerto Rico Primary Cary funded the installation of an integrated hybrid solar power system that powered the refrigeration units at the primary care clinics across the hurricane ravaged island.
Cornerstone Project 2017, Innovation Africa
With the help of CFEBA donors, Innovation Africa has completed drilling beneath the ground in the aquifer, has installed a water tank, a solar pump, and solar panels to pump water up to the tank. The Akuyam village now has access to CLEAN WATER!
Cornerstone Project 2016, Light Up a Village
In 2016, the CFEBA partnered with NRECA International Foundation to support the men and women of U.S. utilities who lend their skills to design and implement rural electrification programs, bringing electricity to parts of the world that lack it. This important new project provided life-changing electricity to 460 families in rural El Beni, Bolivia, a farming region located between the northeastern Bolivian cities of Guayaramerin and Riberalta.
Additional Grant Recipients
Learn more about CFEBA grant recipients prior to 2016.
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