From Books to Solar: How One Library Is Empowering Their Community to Reuse

The BQuest Foundation is fighting the climate crisis by funding projects and partnering with organizations that reduce carbon emissions and expand the use of renewable energy in support of sustainable, resilient communities. We build solar installations for non-profits because it not only reduces carbon emissions but also saves them money on their utility costs. These savings can then be put back into serving their communities through their programs and services and… Read More »From Books to Solar: How One Library Is Empowering Their Community to Reuse

SunForAll Program Funds Over $4 Million of Solar Projects for San Diego Area Nonprofits

Now in its second round, the ​SunForAll Solar Fund​ has awarded funding to five additional nonprofit organizations for a combined $4,132,640 of solar projects in San Diego! How we help nonprofits SunForAll is a unique solar financing program for nonprofits created by CollectiveSun and lead investor BQuest Foundation. SunForAll makes going solar easy and affordable with an innovative financing structure consisting of a grant plus a Program Related Investment (PRI) in the form… Read More »SunForAll Program Funds Over $4 Million of Solar Projects for San Diego Area Nonprofits

They’ve got the chargers, now for the cars…

  • by

Electric Vehicle Fund Pilot ProgramBuilding on our partnership with The MAAC Project in San Diego, BQuest and MAAC are working on launching an Electric Vehicle (EV) fund pilot program to help interested low-income families and individuals purchase EVs and be able to access the financial and environmental benefits of EV ownership. Electric vehicles, on average, cost less than half as much to operate as gasoline-powered vehicles.  Not only do EVs save on fuel… Read More »They’ve got the chargers, now for the cars…

SunForAll Solar Fund aims to raise $10M to save nonprofits $25M in energy costs (oh, and mitigate 125,000 tons of CO2)

  • by

It’s a triple bottom line win for renewable energy, nonprofit sustainability, and impact investmentBQuest is partnering with Collective Sun to create a solar fund for installing discounted rooftop solar on San Diego-area nonprofits.   Because of their tax status, nonprofits are not able to take advantage of tax breaks offered to for-profit organizations for installing solar panels on their buildings.  Through a creative financing approach that helps the non-profit take advantage of… Read More »SunForAll Solar Fund aims to raise $10M to save nonprofits $25M in energy costs (oh, and mitigate 125,000 tons of CO2)

SunForAll, Open for Business

  • by

We’re very happy to announce that SunForAll, our solar financing program for nonprofits in partnership with Collective Sun, is officially open and accepting applications! Because of their tax status, nonprofits are not able to take advantage of tax breaks offered to for-profit organizations for installing solar panels on their buildings. Through a creative financing approach, SunForAll helps the nonprofit take advantage of solar tax incentives, and then using a combination… Read More »SunForAll, Open for Business

Hacking for Climate

  • by

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!

  • by

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

  • by

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

  • by

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

Impact investing to help Habitat for Humanity build affordable houses for families faster

  • by

Mission Driven Finance’s Homebuilding Investment Fund is accepting new investors to their affordable housing impact investment. The Fund is a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to accelerate their family homebuilding efforts by allowing them to acquire and build home sites at a faster rate. To date, the Fund has raised and already invested $1.4M with a goal of raising a total of $2M. Construction is underway and some families have… Read More »Impact investing to help Habitat for Humanity build affordable houses for families faster

Low-income renters in San Diego should also get to benefit from solar savings

  • by

Low-income households spend disproportionately more on energy than other households GRID Alternatives is seeking to draw down new state funding for solar on affordable, multifamily housing.  GRID is a leader in low-income solar, installing free solar systems on homes while providing job training in solar installation, among many other programs focused on bringing the benefits of renewable energy technology to lower income communities. These communities stand to benefit the most from… Read More »Low-income renters in San Diego should also get to benefit from solar savings