| Presentation – Item 7.1
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
PROGRAM UPDATE
September 8, 2025
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 2
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Board approved in July 2023 as an annual funding opportunity to support local non-profits, schools, and educators in underrepresented communities to enhance renewable energy education and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) awareness. • To-date, OCPA has supported nine (9) projects with funding increasing annually as included in the OCPA Strategic Plan.
Former Grantees include:
• Pretend City (2023) - Installation of a renewable energy exhibit highlighting wind and solar energy, and learning opportunities and presentations for Title 1 school visitors.
• Buena Park Middle School Future Farmers of America (2024) – Installation of a solar-powered irrigation system, a shade structure with a solar-powered outlet panel, and a chicken coop with an automated solar-operated door that engages students in community service and sustainable technology education.
OCPA Bright Futures
Grant Program
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 3
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Non-profits, schools, colleges, universities, and educators based in an OCPA member city and/or serving member cities
• Programs that educate on the benefits of renewable energy and Community Choice Energy • Target underrepresented communities and multilingual communities • Must demonstrate clear goals and objectives with a budget and plan for sustainability • Partnerships between multiple agencies are desirable
• Progress reports are due at six (6) months and 12 months • Previous Bright Futures Grant recipients are eligible, but cannot receive funds more than two (2) years in a row
Grant Eligibility
$100,000 in total funds available for grants up to $20,000 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 4
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Application was April – May 2025
• Application shared to 70+ organizations via
email
• Program flyer available at 10+ community
events
• Information promoted on social media channels
with a reach of 6,000+ followers
• The 2025 program received 21 applications, a
year-over-year increased of 191%
Grant Outreach
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 5
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Evaluation committee included Programs staff
and Community Advisory Committee Members.
• Final review and considerations with greater
team after to make final decision.
• Five (5) of the top-ranking organizations were
granted $18,000 – $20,000 each.
Evaluation and Timeline
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Process Timeline
Applications Submission April – May 2025
Evaluator Meeting Late May
Application Evaluation May 27- June 10th
Recommendation & Internal Approval June 12th - 13th
Grantee Notification Late June
Contract Development & Signature July - August
Board Announcement September 8th
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 6
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Evaluation Criteria
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Criteria Points Description
Complete Application 1 - 5 Applicant fully meets all eligibility requirements and submitted by the deadline.
Project Summary /
Description 1 - 5
Project evaluations range from clear, compelling summaries with well-defined audiences and realistic timelines to missing or unclear descriptions, vague targeting, and absent or unrealistic timelines.
Goals & Objectives 1 - 5
Project goals and objectives range from clearly stated and measurable with a defined evaluation method to completely missing, with vague or unrealistic outcomes and no way to assess success.
Budget & Project
Sustainability 1 - 5
Budget and sustainability plans range from detailed and well-aligned with project goals and long-term impact to completely missing, with unclear costs and no strategy for continuation beyond the grant period.
Partnerships 1 - 5
Partnerships range from highly relevant and well-documented with clearly defined roles that support project success to entirely missing or irrelevant, with no clear contributions or connections to the proposed work.
Total 25
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ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Grant Recipients
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Organization Communities Served
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton Fullerton
Climate Action Campaign
Buena Park, Fullerton,
Fountain Valley, and
Irvine
COR Community Development Corporation
(COR CDC) Irvine
Fullerton Elementary School District Fullerton
Give for a Smile
Buena Park, Fullerton,
Fountain Valley, and
Irvine
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 8
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Alexandria Fisher,
Director of Philanthropy
OF FULLERTON
Brett Ackerman, CEO
Shirley Ramirez, Director of Operations
Rev. Dr. Ralph E. Williamson, President and CEO
Farrah Khan, Managing Director
Jeremy Davis,
Board Member
Adriana Jiminez, Program Director
Julio Gallardo
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 9
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Non-profit that provides a fun, safe and constructive environment for kids and teens during out-of-school hours in the City of Fullerton.
• Funding supports installation of a solar + battery storage system, solar-powered irrigation system, and a renewable energy education station that provides STEM-focused learning through real-world renewable energy projects.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fullerton
Awarded $20,000
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
OF FULLERTON
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 10
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Non-profit founded in San Diego in 2015 with an Orange County branch added in 2017 that advocates equitable federal action aimed at reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the transition to clean energy.
• This grant will support the organization of a public forum and engagement program that develops local energy leadership and promotes community-driven clean energy strategies across Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, and Irvine. 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Climate Action Campaign
Awarded $20,000
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 11
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Non-profit that for two decades has fostered dynamic community partnerships that enrich the educational experience of children in Fullerton School District classrooms. • Funding supports solar education and infrastructure development including powering two tiny homes that serve the unhoused community, and educational curriculum around solar power installation and grid integration.
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Fullerton Education Foundation
Awarded $18,342
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 12
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Non-profit based in Irvine that focuses on empowering communities by providing resources, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities through a myriad of STEAM programs.
• With this grant, the organization will deliver a bilingual, hands-on education program for underserved youth in Irvine, focused on renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and Community Choice Energy, while fostering
STEAM leadership pathways.
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
COR Community Development
Corporation (COR CDC)
Awarded $20,000
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 13
ITEM X.X 2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
• Non-profit based in Garden Grove that provides social assistance to the less fortunate families of all ethnic background and focusing on the Latino communities of Orange County.
• This grant will enable multilingual outreach and educational programs on renewable energy, including training community leaders to host educational workshops across Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, and Irvine.
2025 BRIGHT FUTURES GRANT
Give for a Smile
Awarded $20,000