Brooklyn Org today announced $700,000 in funding for local communities via the Brooklyn Energy Initiative, a new, multi-year effort in partnership with the National Grid Foundation, aimed at preparing residents for careers in the growing energy sector and helping households manage rising energy costs.
The initiative is providing $50,000 each to 14 Brooklyn-based organizations, with a focus on the Future of Energy Workforce and the Future of Homes. The Future of Energy Workforce funding will prepare young adults and early-career workers for STEM and energy-related careers through technical training, green-skills development, and direct exposure to energy systems. The Future of Homes funding will support residents facing high energy costs with emergency heating assistance, energy efficiency upgrades, and education.
“These investments reflect our commitment to building a more equitable energy future for Brooklyn,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. “By investing in trusted community organizations, we are creating pathways to energy careers and helping households navigate rising energy costs, ensuring that Brooklynites are not only supported today but positioned to benefit from the clean energy transition.”
The Brooklyn Org Future of Homes grantees are:
Bridge Street Development Corporation — Supports Central Brooklyn homeowners and renters with housing stability services, providing hands-on guidance to access energy efficiency programs, navigate rebates, and make informed home retrofit decisions.
Brooklyn Level Up, Inc. — A community-rooted organization in Central and South Brooklyn that builds neighborhood resilience through energy education, resource navigation, and its Powering the Block initiative, connecting residents to efficiency programs and training local “Energy Champions.”
Flatbush Development Corporation — Delivers housing counseling and community services across Flatbush, supporting homeowners and tenants with energy efficiency education, direct assistance, and connections to retrofit and utility assistance programs.
Grow Brooklyn, Inc. — Provides housing, legal, and financial support to low- and moderate-income residents, incorporating energy education and one-on-one guidance to help homeowners and tenants lower energy costs and access efficiency programs.
IMPACCT Brooklyn — A long-standing community development organization that integrates energy efficiency services into its homeownership and housing programs, helping residents reduce utility costs and navigate retrofit opportunities.
Pratt Center for Community Development — A leading research and advocacy organization that helps Brooklyn homeowners access energy efficiency and electrification upgrades while advancing equitable clean energy policies through its EnergyFit initiative.
“Pratt Center is grateful for Brooklyn Org’s support of EnergyFit, a community-based decarbonization solution that has already helped more than 80 Brooklyn households breathe cleaner air, lower energy costs, and stay comfortable year-round,” said Rebekah Morris, Director of Climate Initiatives at the Pratt Center for Community Development. “This funding allows us to deepen that work with residents facing the highest energy burdens, supporting retrofits, improving housing conditions, and, at the same time, gathering vital data to expand access to the clean energy transition for other Brooklyn households.”
Read more at brooklyn.org
