Vectren awards Indiana nonprofit weatherization grants

Thirteen Indiana nonprofit organizations will undergo complete energy efficiency overhauls this fall through Vectren’s Nonprofit Weatherization Grant (NWG) program. The agencies below were selected as the winners of the statewide initiative, which provides up to $10,000 for weatherization upgrades at the agency’s building or office.

1. Lampion Center in Evansville
2. Habitat for Humanity of Warrick County
3. Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County
4. Amethyst House, Inc., in Bloomington
5. Desert Rose Foundation in Martinsville
6. Bloomington Restorations
7. House of Hope of Madison County
8. Gibault Shelbyville Group Home
9. Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County
10. Hamilton Centers Youth Services Bureau in Noblesville
11. Lincoln Hills Development Corporation in Rockport
12. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Richmond
13. Human Services, Inc., in Columbus

Part of Vectren’s Conservation Connection initiative, the NWG program will help these agencies pinpoint opportunities for energy savings within their offices through an on-site energy audit and then provide the tools and resources necessary to implement weatherization improvements to achieve those savings. Depending on the results of the energy audit, energy efficiency measures such as adding insulation, sealing air leaks and updating heating systems may be installed, performed or recommended.

“Through these grants, we hope nonprofit organizations will be able to reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills,” said Jeff Whiteside, Vectren’s vice president of corporate communications and public affairs. “In turn, they may be able to stretch their annual operating budgets and have more funds available for program outreach.”

To be eligible for Vectren’s NWG program, an applicant had to be a nonprofit 501C-3 organization located in a residential-style or commercial office owned by the agency and a Vectren natural gas customer.

Nearly 50 applications were received.