The criteria below outlines how PSE will evaluate and prioritize grant applications. We understand that not every project will address all criteria – rather, these guidelines help PSE identify and support initiatives that best match the program objectives.

1. Customers Served (75%)

• Serves low-income customers and residents located within a PSE Named Community (priority will be given to project serving low-income customers)
• Benefits renters and rental properties
  • Includes protections for renters, such as rent stability agreements
• Address needs of underserved communities, including:
  • Seniors
  • Disabled individuals
  • Transitional housing residents
  • Tribal communities

2. Project Implementation (25%)

• Evidence of pursuing or securing additional funding sources
• Clear demonstration of funding gaps that our grant would help address
• Implementation of additional conservation measures, demand response enrollment, enrollment in bill assistance programs, or other customer programs (offered by PSE or other utilities, local/state entities, etc.)
• Planned partnership with minority, women, and/or veteran owned businesses and/or contractors

*Named Communities is being used as PSE’s umbrella term that includes Highly Impacted Communities and Vulnerable Populations. Highly Impacted Communities means a community designated by the Washington State Department of Health based on cumulative impact analysis or a community located in census tracts that are fully or partially on tribal land. Vulnerable Populations means communities that experience a disproportionate cumulative risk from environmental burdens due to adverse socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment, access to food and health care, etc., and sensitivity factors such as low birth rate, and higher rates of hospitalization. View PSE’s map of Named Communities here.