GIPL Grants Give Hope
Every year, GIPL awards grants to fund energy efficiency projects for faith communities across Georgia. To date, we’ve awarded close to $1 million dollars in matching grants and is having a huge impact on the reduction of energy footprints of sanctuaries, temples, mosques and religious schools statewide. This program intends to give hope to congregations embarking on the sustainability journey and inspire even bolder Creation care action.This year, 23 grant applications were received totaling over $148,000! The GIPL Grants Committee met last week to review and make final decisions on the awards. Despite the large number of submissions, the committee was able to offer awards totaling $68,000 to 15 congregations and 2 religious schools. Most of the awards were for LED lighting upgrades, while some were for WiFi thermostats, insulation and re-commissioning of existing building automation systems.
Awards were based on the technical merit of the proposal in addition to the quality of the congregation’s creation care programs. Although each submission had its merits, the selection process was extremely competitive and some hard choices had to be made.
The recipients of the 2017 Power Wise Energy Efficiency Matching Grants are:
Christ Our Hope Roman Catholic Church in Lithonia = $5,250Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Vidalia = $2,385First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island = $2,731First Baptist Church of Macon = $1,150First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Eastman = $618Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Atlanta = $4,432Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church = $3,360Mary Our Queen Catholic Church in Peachtree Corners = $1,890Mosaic United Methodist Church in Evans = $2,963Riverstone Church in Kennesaw = $6,108Anne’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta = $10,000Catherine of Siena Catholic Church = $9,249Mary’s Catholic Church in Rome = $3,000Mary’s Catholic School in Rome = $4,180Matthew Catholic Church in Tyrone = $4,974Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Cleveland = $3,460Peter Claver Catholic School in Decatur = $2,250
If your congregation or faith-based school is interested in GIPL’s Power Wise Energy Efficiency Matching Grant Program, begin your journey by signing up for a GIPL Power Wise Energy Audit here.We encourage you to join us for GIPL’s Green Team Summit on January 28, 2018 in Atlanta. The Summit will include an inspiring keynote and workshops that further equip congregations in practices of sustainability and environmental stewardship from a faith perspective. We believe this opportunity would be a valuable resource to you and your church. The Summit will be held at the Temple in midtown Atlanta from 1:30-7:30pm. More information can be found at www.gipl.org/events/