Community Grant Program
Supporting local education, sustainability, safety, and economic development
Heritage Wind is committed to supporting educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in the communities where our projects are developed and built. One small way we do this is by giving back through our Community Grant Program. Heritage Wind has provided more than $110,000 in funding to supportcommunity causes through the program so far.
If you represent a group or organization that meets one of our four key funding categories (see below), we encourage you to complete the application and apply today. Our goal is to fund projects and programs that build healthy communities, create economic opportunity, encourage environmental sustainability, and promote education.
Community grants tend to fall in the $1,000-to-$5,000 range, but may be larger or smaller depending on the quality of the application and identified community needs. Grant dollars are limited; priority will be given to proposals that benefit residents in and around the project area.
Download a copy of the Community Grant Program Rules for more information and to learn how grant recipients will be selected.
Key Funding Categories
Safe and Healthy Communities
Programs that support first responders, public health, good government, open communication, citizen resources, and/or enhance the quality of life in the community. Applicants must demonstrate how the program or event contributes to these social goals.
Economic Development
Apex Clean Energy supports and encourages the entrepreneurial spirit. It is part of our mission to serve as a catalyst for economic opportunity and development within the communities where we operate.
Environmental Sustainability
Programs that possess a strong link to environmental revitalization, sustainability, or education thereof, empower residents to be stewards of the environment, and/or encourage partnerships to address environmental concerns and sustainability.
Promoting Education
Programs that support educational institutions, the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and training programs for careers in the energy industry. This may include curriculum development, literacy, school readiness, and other initiatives that help students grow into young leaders. Vocational training institutions that help build a skilled workforce are encouraged to apply.
Apply for the Community Grant Today!
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Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
"The Orleans County Deputy Sheriff's Association would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind for awarding us funding that will directly support the purchase of a new K9 cage insert for the Orleans County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, specifically for K9 Odin. Our K9 program plays a vital role in public safety and community engagement. Whether assisting in search and rescue missions, aiding in suspect apprehension, conducting drug interdiction operations, or participating in educational demonstrations for local youth, K9 Odin is a valuable asset to the community. Ensuring his safety during transport not only protects him but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the unit, ultimately making our community safer."
Albion Youth Football and Cheer
"On behalf of Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous grant toward the construction of our new press box and concessions stand. This contribution represents far more than just a building; it’s an investment in the future of our youth and community. The new facility will enhance the experience for players, cheerleaders, families, and fans alike. It will serve as a central hub for game day excitement, community gatherings, and a safe, supportive environment where our young athletes can thrive. For not only football, also soccer, coach pitch, T-ball, music events, sledding and much more!”
- Coach Geno Allport
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library
"The Board of the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library is happy to receive a $3,000 grant from Apex that will be used for the expansion of the library. This expansion allows the library to better meet the needs of our community"
- Kristine Mostyn, Library representative.
Barre Volunteer Fire Department
This grant will support reconstruction and upgrades to the department’s communication room at the firehall. This room serves as the department’s control station when first responders are actively out on calls throughout the community
Town of Barre
“The Town of Barre is thrilled to recieve this grant from Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind. This funding will enhance public health through the renovation of the Town Park playground, supporting future expansion plans to create a vibrant and inclusive recreational space for all residents.“
- Parks Department Director Jason Foote.
Medina Railroad Museum
The interactive display will allow children to use virtual reality to simulate the operation of the railroad in several key positions, such as engineer, conductor, and railroad fireman.
Arc GLOW
"Arc GLOW is so incredibly thankful for the generosity of Heritage Wind in giving us a grant to purchase a set of steel doors with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mechanism at our East Academy Day Habilitation site in Albion. With this money, we will be able to ensure the safety of our individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that we serve. Additionally, we will now be able to fully utilize our entire space.”
- Lisa Bors, public relations director for Arc GLOW
Orleans County Joint Veterans Council
"My thanks to the generosity of Heritage Wind we are able to upgrade our computer system and applications that will help us better schedule and record our drivers and vets to make sure they get to the medical appointments in a timely manner.”
- Owen Toale, veteran, and group volunteer
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library
"Lee-Whedon Memorial Library greatly appreciates receiving this grant from Apex. We will be using the funds to create discovery kits, such as stargazing and geocaching, to be used around the community. The kits will benefit homeschoolers as well as anyone interested in nature or the sciences."
- Library Director Kristine Mostyn
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
“We are incredible grateful for the support. Heritage Wind has allowed us to do some excellent educational activities in the past and has again supported that mission. The proposed learning through play exhibit will provide families at the fair and other events a free, interactive experience that educates both about agriculture and is fun to do. We look forward to seeing people playing and learning together thanks to this funding.” - Robert Batt, President of the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Medina Fire Department
“The Village of Medina Fire Department would like to thank Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Winds for funding this grant. This grant will help us to expand our fire prevention and life safety program by allowing us to provide free carbon monoxide detectors to those residents who do not have any.”
- Medina Fire Department Captain Mike Young
The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern
"The Ministry of Concern is delighted that Apex Clean Energy/Heritage Wind is funding our innovative approach to helping low-income youth learn the essentials of how money can work for them, not just how they can work for money. Five youth in our Just Friends program will learn how to get and keep a job, and how to make and save money for the future."
- Executive Director Nyla Gaylord.
Hospice of Orleans
“We would like to graciously thank Apex Clean Energy for the grant received. The grant will allow the organization to enhance our Memorial Garden, which is a valuable asset to our patients, families and community.”
- Associate Director Douglas E. Sommerfeldt
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
“This money comes at a perfect time. Community Action will be purchasing vegetable starter plants and handing them out at our Food Pantry sites to teach customers how to plant and harvest vegetables for their use. Community Action is very pleased for this wonderful donation”
- Annette Finch, Director of Community Services
Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
“We are extremely grateful for the support. This is a tough year for many reasons, and we have some amazing projects that have been years in the making. In a time of unknowns, support from our community is how we can keep our favorite traditional programs strong and grow into new areas.”
- Robert Batt, Executive Director
Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance
“On behalf of Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance, we would like to thank Apex Clean Energy for the generous grant funding. This grant will allow COVA to update our ambulance base to a more suitable space for our pre-hospital providers serving this community.”
-Brandi Fisher, Finance Manager for COVA EMS.
Orleans Community Health Foundation
“We are thankful for this support from Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind because, as you can imagine, our resources are stretched thin. PPE supplies are low, and costs are high. This grant will enable us to invest in sterilization solutions to safely reuse the PPE we have on hand as we work to secure more N-95 masks and other protective gear.”
- Orleans Community Health Foundation Executive Director Heather Smith
United Way of Orleans County
Heritage Wind partnered with local farmers and landowners to raise money for the United Way of Orleans County’s “United We Help” fund.
“The United Way of Orleans County is extremely thankful for the generosity and support from Heritage Wind and their landowners. The dollars raised will go a long way towards helping the most critically vulnerable people in our county.”
-Dean Bellack, Executive Director