Bright Futures Grant Applications Now Open to Support Community Education About the Benefits of Renewable Energy

Local not-for-profit clean energy provider offers grants up to $20,000 to help nonprofits, schools, and educators promote renewable energy awareness

IRVINE, Calif. (April 21, 2025) – Orange County Power Authority (OCPA)—a not-for-profit community clean energy provider, is now accepting applications for its annual Bright Futures Grant program. The funding opportunity supports local nonprofits, schools, and educators in their efforts to educate communities on the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).

OCPA is looking to award various organizations with grants of up to $20,000 each for the implementation of creative and effective approaches to renewable energy education. Priority will be given to projects that focus on underrepresented communities and multilingual campaigns, and projects that include collaboration between multiple partners.

“The Bright Futures Grants are one of the many ways that the Orange County Power Authority reinvests in diverse communities across our member cities,” said Susan Sonne, OCPA Board Chair. “We are excited to support a new round of projects that educate and inspire a clean energy future.”

Eligibility Criteria:

• Non-profits, schools, colleges, universities, and educators based in an Orange County Power Authority member city and serve Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, and/or Irvine residents
• Focus on educating the community on the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Energy
• Target underrepresented communities and multilingual communities
• Must demonstrate clear goals and objectives and include a budget and a plan for project sustainability
• Partnerships between multiple agencies are desirable, but not required
• Applicant must serve OCPA customers
• Must be able to submit reports on progress at six months and 12 months, and share pictures and/or logos to showcase grant projects
• Previous Bright Futures Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the 2025 grant cycle. However, previous grant recipients are ineligible to receive funds more than two years in a row.

Applications must be submitted to grants@ocpower.org by May 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PST.

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at competitive rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.