MorrisonGrants

It’s hard to imagine a grant program that generates more “buzz” than the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  We get calls on it all the time from across the nation.  I mean, this grant has it all: non-profits and universities aren’t eligible, small businesses and individuals are.  And it isn’t just a grant for a feasibility study (though you can do that too), you can actually use the grant funds to buy and install solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy equipment systems.

There are some things you need to know though.  It is critical, absolutely critical that you start your application early.  By “early” I mean even before the program is announced.  That’s crazy talk right?  Prepare an application before the official announcement comes out?!  Well yes, because of the way the REAP program works if you don’t have your application ready to submit very early on, your chances of getting funded go down with every day.

Here is how it works:  Each state gets an “allocation” of funds, some states get a lot, and some states don’t.  Then each state gets a certain amount of time to make “in-state” awards before their funding gets yanked and all applications received after that point must compete at the national level.  In our experience the proposals that get submitted in time for the “in-state” awards are much more competitive, those that don’t take their chances at the national level.

So what do you need to put together a proposal quickly?  A grant writer is important.  Yes, you could do it yourself, but if you have a day job expect to spend some nights and weekends behind your computer.  Secondly, and this is almost as important, you need a responsive vendor.  I’ve seen these applications turn into nightmares just because the vendor is nowhere to be found.  Who is going to provide the necessary detailed info only a vendor knows?  We recently wrote a successful REAP grant for a farmer who hired Alternative Energy Systems (AES) in Chico, California.  Paul and Brian from AES did an excellent job on pulling together all the necessary paperwork, and they did it in record time. 

If you don’t live in Northern California you’ll need to find a group like AES that serves your area.  If you do live in Northern California, want to install a solar system, and apply for a REAP grant, then you’re in luck.

Moral of the story on REAP’s: Start early and get a good vendor.  If you do that your chances of getting a REAP award will improve significantly.