Community Investment Fund

The Community Investment Fund is a Traverse City Light and Power program supporting nonprofit projects that directly benefit TCLP customers and align with TCLP strategic priorities. TCLP describes its mission as serving as a trusted community partner for innovative, affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy and telecom solutions. The fund is intended to advance environmental stewardship, innovation, and community well-being in the Traverse City area. Each year, TCLP allocates up to $100,000 to the Community Investment Fund for community projects. Supported projects must fit one or more focus areas: clean energy related programs and projects; innovative technology such as mini or micro grids, research and development, energy storage, demand-side management, building electrification, transportation electrification, EV charging, appliance electrification, or heat pumps; and natural resources or environmental programs involving education, restoration, or preservation. Funds are awarded for specific educational, environmental, and community development purposes. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income tax, located within the TCLP service territory or contiguous townships, and operating for public purposes. Preference is given to projects that are one-time rather than ongoing, benefit TCLP customers, leverage other funding sources, increase program capacity through training, technology, or improved systems, come from new requesting agencies, and demonstrate collaboration or partnerships. Grants will be reduced by clean energy incentives available to eligible TCLP customers to avoid duplicating incentives and support equitable distribution. The fund does not support individuals, direct scholarships, political parties or activities, religious organizations for religious purposes, student group trips, or projects outside the service area. National or international organizations are not supported unless benefits are provided directly to residents in TCLP's service area. The source materials do not state a required match or cost share. Applications are accepted twice per year. The spring cycle runs May 1 through July 31, and the fall cycle runs November 1 through January 31. Applications must be submitted by mail to Traverse City Light and Power, Community Investment Fund, 1131 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI 49686, or by email to website@tclp.org with the subject line Community Investment Fund. Fax submissions are discouraged, and telephone requests will not be acted upon until a written request is received. Required application materials include a completed CIF Grant Application Form, supporting documentation, a cover letter, a brief project summary, and only one copy of the request. The application form asks for organization information, prior TCLP support, project name, grant purpose, project dates, amount requested, total project cost, and geographic areas served. Narrative instructions request an executive summary, need statement, target population, expected outcomes, alignment with the three key areas and guidelines, spending plan, partners, timetable, staff and volunteer qualifications, long-term funding strategy, evaluation plans, TCLP recognition, budget narrative, project budget, other requested funding, and organization mission and goals. Supporting documentation includes the current IRS determination letter showing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status; letters of support are optional. Eligible applications are organized for review by staff and evaluated by the Community Investment Fund Ad Hoc Committee based on alignment with CIF priorities, community benefit, project feasibility, and leveraging of other funds. Recommendations are forwarded to the TCLP Board of Directors for final approval. Awards are approved no later than the third Board meeting following the submission deadline, contingent on available funds. Awardees must submit a brief post-project report within 90 days of project completion summarizing how funds were used and the measurable community impacts achieved, and TCLP may feature funded projects in public communications.

Emphasize alignment with clean energy, innovative technology, or environmental sustainability priorities; show direct benefit to TCLP customers; demonstrate feasibility, measurable community impact, partnerships, and leveraged funding; explain how TCLP funds will be spent and how TCLP will be recognized; avoid ongoing operating requests where possible.