GRID Alternatives Announces Major Workforce Development Grant From Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Funding supports renewable energy and economic mobility through
GRID’s SolarCorps Fellowship Program
OAKLAND, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#solarforall–GRID Alternatives, a national leader in making clean, affordable solar
power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and
communities of color, announced today a $500,000 grant from Bank of
America Charitable Foundation to support its SolarCorps
Fellowship Program. This national grant builds on the bank’s past
support for GRID in locations in California and Colorado.
The SolarCorps Fellowship Program has up to 60 fellows working with GRID
in multiple states across the country. Participants gain hands-on
training and leadership skills to jumpstart their clean energy careers,
while working to expand access to solar power and job training in
underserved communities. SolarCorps also receives funding from the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
“It is critical that we work together to accelerate the transition to a
low-carbon economy and ensure more sustainable communities,” says Alex
Liftman, Global Environmental executive at Bank of America. “Through job
training and other support this program is creating economic mobility in
underserved communities and making a positive difference by reducing
energy costs, providing high-growth jobs, and helping to preserve the
environment now and for generations to come. We’re excited to support
this innovative program.”
Fellows of the SolarCorps Fellowship Program spend a year of paid
service in GRID Alternatives’ offices, helping install solar electric
systems for an estimated 1500 low-income households and providing solar
training to the 5,000 volunteers and job trainees who participate in
GRID projects. The program started in 2006 with support from AmeriCorps
and AmeriCorps VISTA, and was expanded in 2015 to become GRID’s premier
job training experience, preparing individuals from diverse backgrounds
for successful careers in renewable energy. Past fellows have advanced
to become installers, electricians, project leads, directors and
principals at leading solar companies, energy consultancies, finance
firms and other renewable energy businesses.
“The SolarCorps program is an incubator for our next generation of
leaders, helping to create a clean energy economy that includes and
benefits all of our communities,” said GRID Alternatives CEO and
Co-founder Erica Mackie. “We’re thrilled to have Bank of America as a
strategic partner in this work.”
Contacts
GRID Alternatives
Julian Foley, 510-731-1188
[email protected]
or
Bank
of America
Kelly Sapp, 980-386-9514
[email protected]
