NEGEF News: May/June 2010                                                                       the early Summer issue

Spring 2010 Grants Awarded

In the largest single grant round in NEGEF's history, 156 applications were submitted and reviewed in Spring 2010. At its meeting on April 29, the grantmaking committee approved funding for 77 projects, totaling $88,180.

To see the 10-1 Small Grant Awards, CLICK HERE

Capital Good Fund Becomes Finalist

Congratulations to NEGEF grantee Capital Good Fund for becoming a finalist in the Ashoka Changemakers revelation to action competition! The Capital Good Fund makes small $200 loans to Rhode Islanders with no or poor credit history to purchase and install programmable thermostats that lower their energy costs by $180 annually. Borrowers build their credit through repayments of the loan and reduce their energy consumption, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Learn more: WATCH THIS VIDEO
Take action: To Vote for Capital Good Fund, CLICK HERE

Groundwork Green Teams Team Up

Forming the Groundwork Alliance, Green Teams of 3 Massachusetts groups have teamed up to prove that strength in numbers is not only more effective, it's also more fun! Green Teams are green job corps training programs designed for high school youth, giving youth the opportunity to contribute directly to their community while becoming environmental leaders. Here, Groundwork Lawrence and NEGEF grantees Groundwork Springfield and Groundwork Somerville teamed to up plant 13 trees at a public housing complex in Somerville.

To learn more, visit the sites of: Groundwork Lawrence, Groundwork Somerville, and Groundwork Springfield.

June 19th a Big Day for Energy

If you are an activist working on local energy, be sure to make it to one of these events!

CO-OP Power's 6th Annual Sustainable Energy Summit, hosted by Nuestras Raices in Holyoke, MA.

Clean Air-Cool Planet's 2nd Annual Local Energy Solutions Conference at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH.

Send Us Your Stories!

The goal of NEGEF News is to share stories of grantees with the NEGEF New England network, like the story of the new Clarendon Hill Community Garden in Somerville, MA (members pictured left). Residents teamed up with Community Action Agency of Somerville, gathered 120 signatures of support from fellow tenants, and soon gained support from the Somerville Housing Authority. Now, with a start-up grant from the Boston Grants Initiative, the group is ready to start planting!

Send us your stories, share them on Facebook, and tag your pictures with "NEGEF" on Flickr.

NEGEF Welcomes 2 1/2 New Board Members

NEGEF is excited to work with new Board members Jesús Genera and Rupert Friday. Rupert Friday is the Director of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council has been promoting natural resource protection, sound stewardship and sustainable land use practices for over 25 years. Jesús Gerena joined the board after completing 3 years on the Boston Grants Initiative Steering Committee as deputy director of the Hyde Square Task Force, and just recently took the position of Executive Director with the Family Independence Initiative.

We are most proud to announce the appointment of honorary board member Mateo Omar Gerena, Jesús's first son, born on Saturday, May 22nd! Welcome aboard to all!

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NEGEF's Boston Grants Initiative: TOMORROW 6/15 Click Here For More... NEGEF's Small Grants: 9/15 Click Here For More... New Hampshire Grants Institute: An Intensive Strategic and Technical Skill-Building Experience: 6/22-6/24 Click Here For More... Looking for a grant but don't have a 501(c)(3)? NEGEF can be your fiscal sponsor! Click Here To Learn More...

Container Gardening Class: A perfect way to re-use your recycling bins WHEN: June 17, 2010 WHERE: Westmoor Park, W Hartford, CT Click Here For More... 2nd Annual Local Energy Solutions WHEN: June 19, 2010 WHERE: Grappone Center, Concord, NH Click Here For More... CO-OP Power 6th Annual Sustainable Energy Summit WHEN: June 19, 2010 WHERE: Nuestras Raices, Holyoke, MA Click Here For More... NH Fish & Lobster Festival WHEN: September 25, 2010 WHERE: Prescott Park, Portsmouth, NH Click Here For More...

CT grantee Litchfield Energy Task Force made local headlines with its NEGEF-funded energy conservation program for the local houses of worship. Five area faith communities have joined together to examine the ways in which they might reduce their energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions and save money. Click Here for the story

Check out "Putting Waste to Work: Jobs in Vermont's Resource Recovery Sectors", a new report released by the Toxics Action Center. This report explores waste reduction efforts in Vermont and their correspondence with job creation and economy. Click Here for the report

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