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…Read more
BY THE NUMBERS
Our Impacts
We're increasing the use of renewable energy, fighting the climate crisis, and creating savings in support of sustainable and resilient communities.
TOTAL CO₂ SAVED TO DATE (TONS)
1,093 KW
TOTAL SOLAR INSTALLED
$5.8 MM
ENERGY SAVINGS TO NONPROFITS
Making a Difference
Our Projects and Investments
We use creative grantmaking and financing to build and support projects and programs that lower carbon emissions, create more sustainable and resilient communities, and address housing inequities.
SAN MARCOS, CA
Casa de Amparo
Located in San Diego County, the mission of Casa de Amparo is to support those affected by and at risk of child abuse and neglect, through a range of programs and services that promote healing, growth, and healthy relationships ...
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DULUTH, MN
Green New Deal Housing
Green New Deal Housing recognizes that there is a way to address the climate crisis, housing crisis, and wealth disparities by developing zero energy housing ...
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LINCOLN HEIGHTS, OH
St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church
St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church plans to use their solar savings to increase their outreach budget slated for their reading program serving neighborhood youth and their community garden and food pantry which provide fresh and purchased food for residents ...
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VISTA, CA
Vista Community Clinic EV Chargers
BQuest provided bridge loans combined with grants to Vista Community Clinic to install EV charging stations at their clinic location in Vista, CA. Bridge loans helped speed installation of the new chargers that were awarded rebates through the CALeVIP Program, ...
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LA CONNER, WA
La Conner Library
The new La Conner Library's vision is to be the place where people in their diverse community go for discovery, connection and inspiration. The library's mission is to create a safe, supportive and welcoming place for lifelong learning, discovery and ...
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DULUTH, MN
Loaves & Fishes Housing
Loaves & Fishes Housing's mission is to support community-based solutions to homelessness and poverty; to prevent community deterioration; to assist in maintaining and funding properties intended for common use including but not limited to cooperative housing, transitional housing, hospitality houses ...
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MILWAUKEE, WI
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation
NWSCDC's Green Tech Station is a 3-acre brownfield site reimagined as a green infrastructure destination featuring stormwater capture, bioswales, native prairie, hundreds of trees watered from the underground stormwater cistern, a constructed wetland, outdoor classroom and pavilion, and more ...
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LA CROSSE, WI
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse's (CCDLC) mission includes promoting human dignity by alleviating poverty and strengthening individuals and families. CCDLC does client aid, helps people with rent and utilities, does immigration and adoption work, offers disabilities services, ...
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a community of people building a new energy system with rooftop solar as the cornerstone. SUN helps people go solar, join together, and fight for their energy rights ...
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ANN ARBOR, MI
Community Action Network
Community Action Network partners with children, youth, and families from under-resourced Washtenaw County, Michigan neighborhoods to create better futures for themselves and improve the communities in which they live. This project supported the installation of solar on two households in ...
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NASSAU, BAHAMAS
BREEF
This grant supported the installation of solar panels and a battery on The Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation's new electric vehicle-powered mobile outdoor classroom. BREEF is dedicated to educating Bahamians and visitors about protecting the coral reefs that protect the ...
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CAMPO, CA
San Ysidro Health-Mountain Health Family Medicine Campo
BQuest invested in a solar project installation for San Ysidro Health's Campo location through the SunForAll Solar Fund. San Ysidro Health operates 45 clinic and program sites across the County of San Diego. SYH is an innovative organization committed to ...
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SAN DIEGO, CA
San Diego Habitat for Humanity
BQuest invested in a solar project installation for San Diego Habitat for Humanity through the SunForAll Solar Fund. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, decent, and affordable home ...
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SAN DIEGO, CA
Barrio Logan College Institute
BQuest invested in a solar project installation for Barrio Logan College Institute through the SunForAll Solar Fund. BLCI's mission is to break the cycle of poverty by preparing underserved students to be the first in their families to go to ...
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VISTA & LAKESIDE, CA
MAAC EV Chargers
BQuest provided bridge loans combined with grants to San Diego nonprofit community organization MAAC to install EV charging stations at two multifamily affordable housing locations in Vista and Lakeside. Bridge loans helped speed installation of the new chargers that were ...
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OAKLAND, CA
Northern CA Land Trust
Northern California Land Trust (NCLT) provides affordable housing and facilities for low-income residents using cooperative and community ownership models. NCLT received a grant from BQuest to be able to include induction cooktops in a larger solar and energy efficiency upgrade ...
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SAN DIEGO, CA
EV Access Pilot Program
BQuest , along with partners MAAC and Beneficial State Bank, created a low-interest electric vehicle loan program to make driving electric vehicles more accessible for lower to middle income buyers. The EV Access Program provides purchasers with assistance applying for ...
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BOULDER, CO
Boulder Community Solar
BQuest invested in the Boulder Housing Partners Community Solar Garden, developed and constructed by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit solar installer whose mission is to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. GRID developed this 628 kW low-income community solar ...
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SAN DIEGO, CA
Mountain View and Willie Henderson Parks
Grant funding was provided to the San Diego Parks Foundation for tree planting at two underserved community parks in San Diego, Mountain View and Willie Henderson Parks. The San Diego Parks Foundation strives to connect all San Diegans to high-quality ...
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CHULA VISTA, CA
SBCS Cordova Village
San Diego-based nonprofit SBCS was able to build a solar installation on their Cordova Village multifamily affordable housing location with the help of a bridge loan and grant from BQuest. The bridge loan allowed SBCS to access a SOMAH rebate ...
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Working Together
Our Programs
A few of our key programs and parterships...
Climate Advocacy
Supporting the climate advocacy groups fighting for the policy and societal changes we need for a just and equitable transition to a zero carbon future.
SunForAll Solar Fund
Making solar a reality for the nonprofits that serve our communities. SunForAll provides creative financing and technical assistance so that nonprofits can access the environmental benefits and financial savings of solar energy.
EV Access Program
Providing low-interest loans, rebate assistance, financial coaching, and EV information for purchasers and borrowers in underserved communities to increase access to the cost savings and clean energy benefits of electric vehicles.
Multifamily Solar
Multifamily solar installations ensure equity for tenants who don’t own the building but will benefit the most from solar savings. BQuest provides bridge loans to draw down CA state funding that incentivizes landlords to go solar.
SunForAll Solar Fund
Bringing affordable solar installations to nonprofits for energy savings and reduced emissions.
Recent SunForAll Projects
EV Access Program
Low-interest loans, rebate assistance, financial coaching, and EV education for LMI purchasers to access the cost savings and clean energy benefits of electric vehicles.
EV Access Updates
Climate Advocacy
Supporting the climate advocacy groups fighting for the policy and societal changes we need for a zero carbon future.
Multifamily Solar
Helping LMI tenants of multifamily residences save money on electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels by installing solar.
Recent Projects
Getting It Done
Our Philanthropic Approach
How we practice grantmaking and investing...
Place-Based
We primarily practice place-based granting and investing in San Diego and the broader southern California region. We support our community and also believe in collaborating closely with local partners. San Diego and the State of California have been climate leaders and will continue to pilot policies and solutions to fight the climate crisis.
Impact Investing & Fossil Fuel Divestment
We believe that all assets of a foundation can be used in support of the mission, from divesting from fossil fuels to positively investing in climate solutions. Our impact investments allow us to put much more of our funding to work in the community, creating a larger impact.
Multiple Layers of Impact
We focus on projects and programs that have multiple layers of impact, particularly with an emphasis on environmental equity, in order to create greater benefit per dollar granted or invested. Renewable energy projects have many co-benefits, generating financial savings for families and communities, increasing resiliency, and reducing our dependence on polluting fossil fuels.
Parallel Grantmaking
We practice a parallel grantmaking strategy, pursuing both the immediate benefits of shovel-ready projects and the longer-term impact of advocacy work. We focus on directly building and investing in projects that increase renewable energy and community resiliency while concurrently funding advocacy groups fighting for the bigger, systemic changes that are critical to achieving a just and livable future.
Telling The Story
News
Catch up with the latest updates on our projects, programs, and partner news.
Hacking for Climate
Building electrification, coming soon to a city near you!
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…Read more
Juvenile justice is really about the kids
Overwhelming evidence shows that involvement in the juvenile justice system in and of itself produces negative outcomes for young peopleThe Children’s Initiative is…Read more