Navigating Organizational Funding for Home Energy Upgrade Programs in Justice 40 Communities
The federal government has released historic amounts of funding to advance home energy upgrades, with many specifically dedicated to delivering energy savings, comfort, and health benefits to disadvantaged communities. In this workshop from EPA's ENERGY STAR and R2E2, municipal staff and community leaders discuss their experiences applying for federal grants. We also hear about best practices for finding federal opportunities that match participant priorities for equitable energy retrofits in affordable housing.
Speakers
Ramsay Ritchie, Elevate Project Manager, Community Consulting
Ramsay Ritchie specializes in funding community climate equity priorities with federal resources. As a project manager on Elevate’s Community Consulting team, Ramsay works with municipalities and community organizations across the county to strategically pursue federal, state, and philanthropic dollars. In his current role Ramsay has supported over $454 million worth of federal grant applications as a grant writer and program designer. Beyond those specific applications, Ramsay has provided guidance to community organizations across the country in stacking federal incentives to support community investment and decarbonization efforts. Prior to joining Elevate, Ramsay was the Sustainability Officer for Wayne County, Michigan where he designed and acquired funding for the state’s first municipally operated resilience hub network and the county’s first Sustainability division.
Ashley Hines, Executive Director, Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation
Ashley A. Hines is a project manager, change agent, and community visionary with a passion for innovative system building and advocacy of Black communities. Ashley received her B.A. in Family and Consumer Science from Morgan State University. In November 2020, Ashley returned to her hometown in Michigan and founded the Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation. A culmination of her work thus far, the BHCDC’s mission is to sustainability strengthen the community of Benton Harbor socioeconomically, mentally, and physically. The BHCDC works to build community resiliency by supporting and empowering residents through community development projects and programming. Its holistic approach to building community is guided by innovation, equity, and collaboration. To achieve the shared vision of a thriving community, the BHCDC’s facilitates people-centered, and community led programming in the areas of homebuying education, food sovereignty, mental health, social cohesion, and community development.
Maria Galarza, Deputy Director, Office of Sustainability
Maria M. Galarza is a registered architect and planner with over 10 years of experience leading complex initiatives at the intersection of the built environment and community development. She is currently serving as the Deputy Director for the Office of Sustainability at the City of Detroit where she is focused on achieving the goals set forth in the Detroit Climate Strategy. Maria is known for her creative thinking, finding innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. She is a relationship-builder who excels at bringing diverse groups of stakeholders together around a common purpose. Throughout her career, Maria has demonstrated a passion for engaging communities to co-create visions for a just, sustainable future.
EPA’s ENERGY STAR and R2E2 are hosting additional workshops over the summer and fall.