Solar for Justice

Community Social Justice Grants

Solar for Justice Grants

Dane County Community Social Justice Grants Administered by First Congregational United Church of Christ‒Madison, WI

First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC) in Madison, Wisconsin, seeks to be a radically inclusive and welcoming Christian community, nurturing and affirming God’s creation and dedicated to serving all! Seeking justice for all has been a long-standing mission of First Congregational UCC, with a focus on promoting equity, social justice, and environmental justice.

In 2019, the Congregation agreed to take action on climate justice by installing solar panels on the roof of the church building. This environmental justice initiative helps combat climate change, while the financial savings on utility costs help address injustices in our community through the Solar for Justice grants. The fund will be administered to local organizations working to remedy the many injustices in Dane County.

Grant objectives and eligibility

The injustices in Dane County are well documented by Race to Equity, Dane County Task Force on Poverty, the Criminal Justice Council, and Kids Count. Solar for Justice grants are available to organizations with plans to address disparities, including but not limited to generational wealth, education, workforce development, environmental justice, and criminal justice.

To be eligible, organizations must:

  • Be based in Dane County and working on local issues.
  • Have 501(c)3 status OR have a *fiscal agent.

*The fiscal agent process is not required to be complete at the time of application, but needs to be in place before funds are dispersed. JustDane or the Center for Community Stewardship can offer this service. For more information on how to use a fiscal agent, see this link.

  • Have an annual operating budget of less than $250,000.

Application process

Submit an application of three pages or less, excluding any attachments that may be provided for further background on your organization. Organize your application according to the following six questions.

  1. State your organization’s mission.
  2. Describe the initiative, program, or project you will be using the grant for. Include:
    1. Overall goal and two measurable objectives
    2. Partner organizations in the work
    3. Rough timeline of activities, and
    4. Overall budget (including plans for other funding)
  3. How does your proposed work specifically address injustice? Which elements of the work address marginalized communities locally?
  4. Who will you serve? How are their voices included in your leadership?
  5. Briefly describe, if any, previous experience that your organization, or its leaders, have had in this area.
  6. What is your organization’s annual operating budget? Please attach your most recent operating budget or provide a link to online financial information.

Grants of $15,000 are awarded every two years. Applications due by Friday, February 6, 2026. 

Please direct applications and questions to solar4justice@firstcongmadison.org.