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How Bridge Financing Turned a Stalled Grant Into a Finished Project

For a small organization like Ypsilanti Performance Space, known locally as The YPSI, being awarded $529,000 in grant funding to install solar-powered EV chargers was a significant achievement. But it almost didn’t end up happening. The grant, awarded by the Michigan Public Service Commission, was structured as a reimbursement. That meant The YPSI had to figure out how to fund a project up front that cost nearly ten times its… Read More »How Bridge Financing Turned a Stalled Grant Into a Finished Project

How We Bridge the Funding Gap

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We fund solar and renewable energy projects benefiting nonprofits and marginalized communities. In fact, BQuest has participated in funding more than 100 projects in the last 6 years! One tool that we frequently use (but wish wasn’t so necessary) is a Bridge Loan. Many government programs offer funding, incentives, and rebates for impactful projects that we want to see in our community. Unfortunately, many of those programs and incentives don’t… Read More »How We Bridge the Funding Gap

Take a Tour of San Diego Nonprofit Home Start’s Sustainable Strategies

Today, we’d like to shine a spotlight on one of our partners, Home Start Inc, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending childhood abuse while providing crucial support for families in San Diego. At the heart of Home Start’s mission is a commitment to addressing the root causes of risky or abusive situations – poverty, unsafe neighborhoods, lack of affordable housing, and unemployment. Since 1972, they’ve been strengthening and developing… Read More »Take a Tour of San Diego Nonprofit Home Start’s Sustainable Strategies

Casa Familiar Solar Saves $300,000

Starting 2024 with good news, we’re happy to share an update about the solar installation at Casa Familiar, one of our first SunForAll Solar Fund projects.  After several years of delays during the permitting, construction, and inspection process, the 26 kilowatt solar system on the rooftop of Living Rooms at the Border is officially operational and creating solar savings for the families that live there!  Through SunForAll financing, Casa Familiar… Read More »Casa Familiar Solar Saves $300,000

Hacking for Climate

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And now for something a little different in climate funding… BQuest is supporting a series of climate hackathons culminating in a data competition later this year with CDP, the global environmental disclosure non-profit. When you hear about a company’s reported carbon emissions, or investors focusing on corporate sustainability, it’s probably information that was initially reported through CDP.  Globally, over 8,400 companies representing more than 50% of global market capitalization disclose environmental data through CDP, in addition… Read More »Hacking for Climate

Building electrification, coming soon to a city near you!

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There are more than 70 million homes and businesses across the U.S. that burn fossil fuels for heating, hot water, and cooking. In many  cities, fossil fuel use in buildings can account for anywhere between 15% and 40% of total citywide GHG emissions, especially in the Northeast.  As the grid gets greener through the growing use of renewable energy, the next step is to decarbonize our homes and move away from gas heating… Read More »Building electrification, coming soon to a city near you!

Juvenile justice is really about the kids

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Overwhelming evidence shows that involvement in the juvenile justice system in and of itself produces negative outcomes for young peopleThe Children’s Initiative is changing the way San Diego’s children and youth grow and develop by sharing best practices with elected officials, influencers, and leaders.  BQuest’s multi-year grant focuses on supporting their work overhauling the way San Diego treats juvenile offenders.  The Children’s Initiative (CI) has made major strides in the last few… Read More »Juvenile justice is really about the kids

Helping more SDSU student startups gain real experience

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ZIP Launchpad, an incubator and entrepreneurial community at SDSU, just wrapped their first-year grant with BQuest.  The goal of The Aztec Cooperative Fund grant was to help a wider population of students access the benefits of being part of a ZIP Launchpad team. Students hiring students Using the Aztec Cooperative Fund, student startup teams were able to hire other students for services such as marketing and graphic design.  Through these… Read More »Helping more SDSU student startups gain real experience

Climate Action Campaign keeps moving the region forward

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Even more area communities pass climate action plansSan Diego’s Climate Action Campaign is busy as usual with all things local climate policy! CAC was integral to recently helping Orange County activists push the city of Irvine to unanimously vote for the creation of a Climate Action Plan (CAP).  Imperial Beach followed just a few weeks later, passing their own CAP that includes a commitment to 100% clean energy.   CAC has also… Read More »Climate Action Campaign keeps moving the region forward

San Diego’s Women’s Empowerment Loan Fund crowdfunds business coaching for women

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Only 1 in 23 loaned dollars go to womenThe Women’s Empowerment Loan Fund (WELF) is an impact investment opportunity to provide small business loans and financing to women-owned businesses in San Diego.  Systemic bias in our financial systems causes credit-worthy women-owned businesses to be overlooked by reputable banks or overcharged by predatory lenders, and women of color are affected most. WELF combines financing with expert business coaching to ensure recipients have… Read More »San Diego’s Women’s Empowerment Loan Fund crowdfunds business coaching for women