According to the EPA, the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts. EPA’s analysis indicates that racial and ethnic minority communities are particularly vulnerable to the greatest impacts of climate change. In response to these climate injustices, PACE works to distribute resources where they’re needed most. Often, this means helping nonprofits and equity-priority buildings.
Equity priority buildings and qualified nonprofits get bonus incentives when you receive a PACE rebate. Both rebate amounts and rebate limits are substantially higher for these audiences. Equity priority buildings are those that house qualified nonprofits. Qualified nonprofits who own their own building may also be eligible for this bonus funding. And if you’re a nonprofit renting space, contact the owner of your building and have them reach out to us to see if they qualify.
Qualified Nonprofits and Buildings
Nonprofit organizations qualify for equity priority funding if they serve frontline community members: people that are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to factors including income, race, language, age, documentation status, disability, and more. Property owners also qualify for this funding if your property houses one or more of these qualifying organizations or building types.
Qualifying organizations and building types include:
- Deed-restricted multifamily affordable housing
- Naturally occurring affordable housing (at least 66% of the building’s units must have rents at or below 80% of area median income rent limits)
- Human service providers, defined as a nonprofit tax-exempt entity that offers critical services such as:
- Advocacy organizations (such as Community Advocacy, Social Service Advocacy, or similar)
- After-school providers
- Childcare centers
- Community centers
- Disability service providers
- Domestic violence centers
- Emergency service organizations
- Family support organizations
- Food pantries
- Homeless shelters
- Immigration service providers
- Job training and workforce development services
- Law/legal centers (nonprofit and pro-bono services to income-qualified communities)
- Mental and behavioral health facilities
- Places of worship (offering critical services to frontline communities)
- Rehabilitation providers
- Senior centers (not owned by the City and County of Boulder)
- Transitional or supportive housing
- Women’s or children’s shelters
Contact a PACE advisor (303-786-7223) if you’re interested in participating or if you do not meet all the above criteria and would like to be considered.
