Announcing $750,000 Equitable Community Benefit Grants in the MidAtlantic Region

March 18, 2026

Sustain Our Future Foundation is proud to introduce the community partners selected for our $750,000 Equitable Community Benefits Grants supporting four communities across the MidAtlantic Region. Developed in collaboration with local community advisors, Urban Grid, and Microsoft, this grants strategy reflects our shared commitment to ensuring the construction of new solar energy projects delivers meaningful, tangible, and lasting benefits for communities in Fannett Township (Pennsylvania), Queen Anne County (Maryland), Dorchester County (Maryland), and Surry County (Virginia).  

13 organizations were selected to receive grants for their work advancing positive social and environmental conditions, from strengthening the sustainability workforce to reducing carbon emissions, expanding emergency services and improving climate resilience infrastructure. Below are the selected grantee partners, organized by region, and how they are driving positive, local impact. 

Fannett Township, Pennsylvania

• The Valley Ministries – A nonprofit organization providing food access, social support, and emergency resources for local families. Funding will help repair its aging facilities, strengthening its ability to serve the community long-term and maintain a reliable hub for essential services.

• South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) – A nonprofit organization that helps working families create safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient homes. This grant supports expanded electrification and weatherization upgrades that reduce energy burdens for households most affected by rising costs.

• Path Valley Outreach – A volunteer-driven nonprofit organization supporting community wellbeing through food distribution, hardship assistance, and youth development. Funding will expand access to nutritious food and create new workforce and scholarship opportunities that deepen economic resilience for local youth.

• Fannett-Metal Fire and Ambulance Company – A critical emergency services provider serving residents across the township. This investment strengthens local preparedness by enhancing training, equipment, and response capacity for first responders.

Queen Anne County and Dorchester County, Maryland

• Scholarships for Chesapeake College Agricultural & Environmental Studies Students – A community college preparing students for careers in sustainable agriculture, conservation, and environmental management. Scholarship funding enables students to gain the hands-on skills needed to address climate and food-system challenges on the Eastern Shore.

• Scholarships for University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Students – A Historically Black College and University (HBCU) cultivating the next generation of agricultural, environmental science, and urban forestry leaders. Scholarships will support student research and training in community-based agriculture, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship.

• Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center – A nonprofit cultural and historical institution uplifting local heritage, community stories, and social resilience. Funding supports repairs and reopening after flood damage, while strengthening the building’s long-term resilience to future climate-related events.

• Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore – A nonprofit organization improving the health, safety, and energy efficiency of homes for working families. This support provides critical home repairs, weatherization, and accessibility upgrades that help families remain safe and secure in their homes.

Surry County, Virginia

• Community Coalition of Sussex – A nonprofit organization providing direct relief to families struggling with high energy costs. Funding will go directly to households facing energy insecurity, helping residents maintain stability and avoid compounding financial hardship.

• Virginia Interfaith Power and Light – A nonprofit organization advancing equitable climate and energy policy through community and faith-based advocacy. This investment strengthens efforts to expand clean energy access, improve energy efficiency, and ensure affordability in statewide energy policy.

• Surry High School Career and Technical Education (Energy Technology & Agriculture Programs) – A technical education program preparing students for careers in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental technology. Scholarship support will help students pursue training that leads to family-sustaining, sustainability-centered careers.

• Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) – A nonprofit organization working to improve essential water, wastewater, and community infrastructure in underserved rural areas. Funding will help advance infrastructure upgrades that protect public health, enhance environmental quality, and strengthen long-term resilience for Surry County residents.

We congratulate these extraordinary organizations and look forward to the powerful environmental and economic justice benefits their work will bring to communities across the MidAtlantic region.