WEfficiency: A Community Based Model for Energy Efficiency
Wefficiency, in partnership with the Blue Planet Foundation, has created an engaging and innovative way to support nonprofits in their move toward energy efficiency. Seeing that so many community groups and nonprofits could not afford the upfront costs of energy upgrades and retrofits, Wefficiency created a unique solution that is part donation, part crowdfunding, and FULLY effective. WEfficiency allows nonprofits to continue to do good for the community and reduce their impact on the climate at the same time.
Wefficiency allows users to sign on, choose a project to support, and then “loanate” money to pay for the cost of energy efficiency work. These loanations are paid back to supporters once energy savings are realized, and after all loanations have been paid back, the energy savings belong to the project. Supporters can then choose to receive their loanated funds or roll them over into another project. Different projects have different upfront costs and different payback times, which are outlined in each project plan. Upfront cost is one of the biggest barriers to energy efficiency, especially for cash-strapped non-profits. Hawaii has one of the highest costs of electricity in the US, which means that companies need to make the upgrades but can’t afford it. But this is also what makes WEfficiency very effective: because the cost of electricity is so high, the payback for upgrades is relatively fast, and nonprofits start to see savings immediately.
I recently attend a luncheon to promote Wefficicney, and learned that in the case of its current project with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, the energy savings is thousands of dollars a year for each of the three clubhouses, which allows the program directors to immediately support more programs, more supplies, and more outreach for children in need. By the way, there is still time to contribute to this awesome project — you can sign on and loanate here.
You can learn more about WEfficiency here. Regarding the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii project, Wefficiency is offering free and safe care to kids and youth. All other projects — including Hawaii Public Radio, Damien Memorial School, and YWCA — have been successfully funded.
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