Brooklyn Org and National Grid Foundation Award $700,000 To Expand Access to Energy Careers and Lower Costs for Brooklyn Residents

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Brooklyn Org today announced $700,000 in funding for local communities via the Brooklyn Energy Initiative, a new, multi-year effort in partnership with the National Grid Foundation, aimed at preparing residents for careers in the growing energy sector and helping households manage rising energy costs.

The initiative is providing $50,000 each to 14 Brooklyn-based organizations, with a focus on the Future of Energy Workforce and the Future of Homes. The Future of Energy Workforce funding will prepare young adults and early-career workers for STEM and energy-related careers through technical training, green-skills development, and direct exposure to energy systems. The Future of Homes funding will support residents facing high energy costs with emergency heating assistance, energy efficiency upgrades, and education.

“These investments reflect our commitment to building a more equitable energy future for Brooklyn,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. “By investing in trusted community organizations, we are creating pathways to energy careers and helping households navigate rising energy costs, ensuring that Brooklynites are not only supported today but positioned to benefit from the clean energy transition.”

The Brooklyn Org Future of Energy Workforce grantees are:

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Bed-Stuy Restoration) — Expands economic opportunity in Central Brooklyn through workforce development, financial empowerment, and community-based programming, connecting residents to careers in growing industries including energy.

Green City Force Inc. — Engages young adults from public housing in service and training programs focused on sustainability, clean energy, and environmental justice, preparing them for careers in the green economy.

The HOPE Program — Provides comprehensive job training, career readiness, and employment placement services for New Yorkers facing barriers to work, with growing pathways into energy and infrastructure sectors.

Marcy Lab, Inc. — Trains low-income young adults for high-paying careers in tech through an alternative education model, with expanding opportunities tied to energy and infrastructure innovation.

Red Hook Initiative — Connects youth and young adults in Red Hook to education, employment, and leadership development opportunities, including pathways into emerging industries.

Resilience Education Training and Innovation Center (RETI Center)— Delivers hands-on training in construction, environmental resilience, and green infrastructure, preparing participants for careers in climate and energy-related fields.

St. Nicks Alliance Corp. — Provides workforce development, housing, and community services across North Brooklyn, with programs that prepare residents for careers in construction, energy efficiency, and building operations.

Welder Underground — Offers hands-on welding and fabrication training to young adults, creating pathways into skilled trades that are critical to energy infrastructure and the green economy.

The Brooklyn Org Future of Homes grantees are:

Bridge Street Development Corporation — Supports Central Brooklyn homeowners and renters with housing stability services, providing hands-on guidance to access energy efficiency programs, navigate rebates, and make informed home retrofit decisions.

Brooklyn Level Up, Inc. —  A community-rooted organization in Central and South Brooklyn that builds neighborhood resilience through energy education, resource navigation, and its Powering the Block initiative, connecting residents to efficiency programs and training local “Energy Champions.”

Flatbush Development Corporation — Delivers housing counseling and community services across Flatbush, supporting homeowners and tenants with energy efficiency education, direct assistance, and connections to retrofit and utility assistance programs.

Grow Brooklyn, Inc. — Provides housing, legal, and financial support to low- and moderate-income residents, incorporating energy education and one-on-one guidance to help homeowners and tenants lower energy costs and access efficiency programs.

IMPACCT Brooklyn — A long-standing community development organization that integrates energy efficiency services into its homeownership and housing programs, helping residents reduce utility costs and navigate retrofit opportunities.

Pratt Center for Community Development — A leading research and advocacy organization that helps Brooklyn homeowners access energy efficiency and electrification upgrades while advancing equitable clean energy policies through its EnergyFit initiative.

National Grid Foundation is also supporting similar community-driven energy affordability efforts in Queens and Massachusetts, working with United Way partners and local nonprofits to co-develop outreach strategies that connect residents to available resources.

“In partnership with Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City, the National Grid Foundation is supporting programs which have been designed with and for the local communities that open pathways to energy careers and expand energy literacy for households across Brooklyn and Queens,” said Dr. Robert Simmons III, Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation. “This work reflects our commitment to energy equity and to community-led solutions.”

“Together with the National Grid Foundation, Brooklyn Org and United Way of New York City, we are opening doors to new careers and access to energy information and resources,” said Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Vice Chair of the National Grid Foundation Board. “Through our  shared commitment, we are equipping our neighbors with the skills and knowledge to build sustainable lives and stronger communities.”

“Green City Force’s mission is to train young leaders to power a green and inclusive economy through service. We are honored to receive this investment of support from Brooklyn Org, National Grid, and United Way of New York,” said Tonya Gayle, Executive Director of Green City Force. “This grant will lift the talents and opportunities for young New Yorkers across Brooklyn and Queens to drive a just transition educating their communities about energy justice and energy efficiency, while building their skills for careers in the clean energy economy. Thank you for the support that allows us to train and prepare young adult public housing and low income New Yorkers to lead the #FutureGreenCity.”

“Receiving this grant allows 2 apprentices from the newest cohort to earn $600 a week and a monthly subway card during the four months training, removing the financial barriers that sidelines many talented young people from entering the trades,” said Marc Levin, Executive Director of Welder Underground.

“This funding is a critical investment in the health and stability of Brooklyn families,” said Robin Redmond, Executive Director of Flatbush Development Corporation. “As a proud recipient, FDC is honored to partner with Brooklyn Org and National Grid to support residents facing high energy burdens and poor housing conditions, while empowering communities with energy efficiency knowledge. Together, we are building more resilient neighborhoods.”

“The Brooklyn Org Future of Energy Grant means opportunity for members of our North & Central Brooklyn Communities who are enrolled in our Electrical and HVAC training,” said Larry Rothchild, Senior Managing Director of Workforce Development at St. Nicks Alliance. “This funding allows 20 of St. Nicks Alliance trainees to access paid work experiences internships that will allow them to accelerate into career placements in the Energy Sector.”

“Pratt Center is grateful for Brooklyn Org’s support of EnergyFit, a community-based decarbonization solution that has already helped more than 80 Brooklyn households breathe cleaner air, lower energy costs, and stay comfortable year-round,” said Rebekah Morris, Director of Climate Initiatives at the Pratt Center for Community Development. “This funding allows us to deepen that work with residents facing the highest energy burdens, supporting retrofits, improving housing conditions, and, at the same time, gathering vital data to expand access to the clean energy transition for other Brooklyn households.”

“Grow Brooklyn is proud to be a recipient of the Brooklyn Org Future of Homes Grant! We also thank National Grid and United Way of New York City for their partnership in supporting Brooklyn residents facing high energy burdens,” said Makeela Brathwaite, Executive Director of Grow Brooklyn. “This support goes beyond covering bills. It is a commitment to helping residents stay rooted as costs rise and a meaningful step toward greater equity. Our gratitude runs deep, just like our Brooklyn roots. We know this is more than funding. It is fuel for stability. It allows us to bring critical resources directly to the people who need them most and to ensure long time residents can remain and thrive in the neighborhoods they helped build.”

“Green jobs are good jobs, and this Future of Energy grant helps us put more New Yorkers on the path to them. We’re grateful to Brooklyn Org and the National Grid Foundation for investing in the workforce training that makes an equitable energy transition possible,” said Tracey Capers, Executive Director of The HOPE Program.

“Bridge Street Development Corporation is proud to partner in this important initiative to ensure that Central Brooklyn residents have access to the resources, information, and support needed to manage rising energy costs,” said Gregory Anderson, President & CEO of Bridge Street Development Corporation. “By pairing direct support with community-based education, we are helping residents not only get relief today, but also better navigate and benefit from the evolving energy landscape.”

“Brooklyn Level Up (BKLVLUP) is thankful for our partnership with Brooklyn Org and the National Grid Foundation and their support of our vision. This funding allows us to both continue and expand work rooted in community-led decision-making, where residents help shape how resources are shared,” said Allyson Martinez, Founding Executive Director of Brooklyn Level Up.  “Our Powering the Block program recognizes that infrastructure includes more than just physical systems–it also means the people, relationships, and institutions that sustain our neighborhoods. This investment helps ensure that residents are not only connected to resources but are active participants in shaping more resilient communities.”

“At RETI Center we believe that those most impacted by climate should be active participants and leaders in this transition. There is real genius in our Brooklyn community, that if given support can flourish and create a new and cleaner future for our world,” said Jinean Robinson, Executive Director of RETI Center. “This grant supports our Local Power Clean Energy Workforce Program that has graduated 220+ New Yorkers to enroll more young adult Brooklynites to bring their genius into the forefront to lead us into this promising future.”

About Brooklyn Org

Brooklyn Org is a champion for Brooklyn bringing together community changemakers to be a new model for local philanthropy, built from the ground up, in pursuit of a more equitable and just borough. Since its founding in 2009, Brooklyn Org has moved over $150 million to nonprofits through its strategic grantmaking and Donor Advised Funds, while driving action to address urgent crises and long-term change in Brooklyn. Learn more at brooklyn.org.

About National Grid Foundation

National Grid Foundation was created to enhance the quality of life in local communities by supporting programs that address education, the environment and other local priorities. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families, and communities. Since its inception in December of 1998, the Foundation has granted more than $43 million to local community organizations. The Foundation is an independent charitable arm of National Grid, helping advance the company’s Grid for Good social impact community engagement initiative, dedicated to making a positive difference in local communities through three guiding pillars – increasing access to affordable energy, developing the energy workforce and supporting community resilience.