With the support of a $60,000 grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation, the M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF) has established an Energy Team comprised of community representatives and area leaders to implement and manage an energy education and conservation initiative in its two-county service area.
Content excerpted and adapted from a foundation press release. Read the full version here.
With the support of a $60,000 grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation, the M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF) has established an Energy Team comprised of community representatives and area leaders to implement and manage an energy education and conservation initiative in its two-county service area.
The MMACF Energy Team will implement an action plan to help area communities with a series of key efforts:
Utilize and produce clean energy more effectively.
Bolster business and civic participation.
Conserve and reduce domestic energy costs.
Encourage clean energy education and job growth.
MMACF staff and the Energy Team are communicating with Marinette and Menominee school districts, assessing their current energy use, developing individual strategies aimed at reducing overall energy costs and putting in place practical energy conservation curriculum and practices. They have also made a number of resources available to teachers and schools.
“The Energy Team believes schools are a good place to start. They are at the center of community interest and are preparing our children for the future. That future must include better use of renewable energy and sound energy conservation practices,” John Lee, board member and Energy Team chair, MMACF said.
On June 2, the Energy Team hosted a booth at Menominee Marina’s Family Recreation Day.
“We were pleased, but not surprised by the interest from attendees visiting our booth,” said Paula Gruszynski, executive director, MMACF. “We distributed information about free and reduced-cost resources for homeowners to improve energy efficiency. Attendees also enjoyed roasting s’mores over our solar-powered oven.”
MMACF is one of four community foundations in Michigan to receive a Clean Energy Initiative Grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation. Other recipients include:
Clean Energy Initiative Grants are part of a commitment of support from the C.S. Mott Foundation with coordinating and technical support from CMF, to strengthen the community leadership capacity of community foundations in Michigan that wish to support a transition to clean energy in their locales.
Want more?
Learn more about MMACF’s Clean Energy Initiative.
Check out CMF’s Clean Energy Grants.
