The rising cost of energy has become a pressing issue for many nonprofit organizations across the country. In Shiawassee County, Michigan, MEO and Elevate Energy have come together to offer assistance to nonprofits seeking energy efficiency improvements through the Nonprofit Capacity Building Energy Efficiency Program offered by the Cook Family Foundation.
One of the organizations that MEO and Elevate worked with is the SafeCenter, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive services to the victims of domestic and sexual violence in Clinton and Shiawassee Counties. The center consists of four shelter buildings, a garage, and a storage unit. These buildings require climate control 24/7, and on average, the SafeCenter was spending $1,000 per month for water and electricity.
MEO and Elevate assessed the SafeCenter’s buildings and provided a customized report highlighting the most cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades. The report included estimates of costs, savings, and payback times for the recommended upgrades.
With support from Elevate, MEO helped the SafeCenter find qualified contractors to conduct a major lighting fixture replacement. This replacement decreased the SafeCenter’s lighting consumption by 78%, resulting in significant savings on their energy bills.
By partnering with MEO and Elevate, the SafeCenter was able to make important upgrades that not only reduced their energy costs but also helped them become more environmentally sustainable. This program has shown that with a little help, nonprofits can make a significant impact on their energy usage and overall cost savings.
