Become a Weatherization Subgrantee
DEQ's State Energy Office is accepting annual applications for community action agencies, nonprofits and public entities to join the federally funded NC Weatherization Assistance Program’s network of subgrantees for State Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (FY26). Subgrantees install energy conservation measures in eligible low-income homes across the entire state to reduce energy burden and carbon emissions. View the FAQs for more information.
Note: To become a weatherization contractor, please contact your local weatherization service provider.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: 12 p.m., Feb. 17, 2025
- Questions submission deadline: 2:00 p.m., Jan. 3, 2025
- Questions will be on a rolling basis with all answered by: 2:00 p.m., Jan. 10, 2025
- Selected subgrantees announced via public notice: March 27, 2025
- Selected subgrantees incorporated into FY26 NC Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan effective: July 1, 2025
Question and Answer Period
Questions about the application can be submitted via the formal Question Portal until 2:00 p.m., Jan. 3, 2025. Submitted questions will be answered on a rolling basis, with all answers posted no later than 2:00 p.m., Jan. 10, 2025.
Applicants must use this question portal and may not use other mediums of communication to contact DEQ while the application period is open. This structure is designed to afford all applicants equitable access to information and provides a vehicle for the Weatherization Assistance Program to disseminate consistent information.
Competitive Process
This is the first time DEQ has engaged in a competitive application process for the NC Weatherization Assistance Program. The state has decided to make this process competitive to ensure low-income residents:
Have equitable access to subgrantees that consistently meet program objectives, deliver high-quality work products, and exhibit excellent customer service.
Benefit from competition among potential subgrantees, ensuring the most effective entities are awarded to serve local communities.
Are served by subgrantees that value programmatic accountability, integrity, and stewardship of federal funds.
Receive services that will include single-family and multi-family dwellings.
Current subgrantees must apply to be considered for the FY26 Weatherization Assistance Program.
Historical service areas will likely change for the FY26 program year. Applicants may propose one or more counties they would like to designate as their service region. Based on the information provided in the applications, the state will create new service regions to maximize programmatic impacts. As stated in the federally approved State Plan, the NC Weatherization Assistance Program Manager will ensure that all 100 counties receive an equitable distribution of funding and services.
Applications will be reviewed by an Evaluation Committee who will assess each application on its demonstrated strengths and weaknesses. Based on federal regulations, applicants who possess a successful track record in administering an effective weatherization program will receive preference.
Application Assistance for Organizations Impacted by Hurricane Helene
For organizations in Western NC that were impacted by Hurricane Helene and physically located in a county included in the FEMA disaster declaration, DEQ is partnering with Land of Sky Regional Council to provide application assistance at no cost to the applicant. To access this assistance please contact Erin Hughes, Project Manager, Land of Sky Regional Council at Erin@landofsky.org by January 3, 2025.
Q: Who Can Apply?
A: The Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office is accepting applications for community action agencies, nonprofits and public entities to join the NC Weatherization Assistance Program’s network of subgrantees for State Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (FY26). This is found in 10 CFR 440.15.
Current subgrantees must apply to be considered for the FY26 Weatherization Assistance Program.
Q: Where Can I Apply?
A: Application information is available on the DEQ website. Applications will be accepted until 12 p.m., Feb. 17, 2025. Selected subgrantees will be announced via public notice no later than March 27, 2025, and incorporated into the 2025-2026 NC Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan starting July 1, 2025. Applications will be received via Smartsheet software Applicant Portal located here: Application Portal. Anyone with the link may submit an application; a Smartsheet subscription is not required in order to participate in this application process.
Q: Will any Community Action Agency, public, or nonprofit entity which has, or is currently administering, an effective program receive preference?
A: Yes, based on 10 CFR 440.15, subgrantees that are currently or have administered an effective Weatherization Assistance Program will receive preference.
Q: How will low-income residents become aware of the program changes in their community?
A: Residents will be notified through public media sources and the subgrantee service area and contact information will be added to the WAP’s webpage. Also, a public hearing will be held regarding the selected provider.
Q: What happens if I am on a waiting list or deferral list and a new subgrantee is selected for my area?
A: Each subgrantee maintains an inventory of all client records in a statewide database that will be transferred to the selected provider. In addition, all scans and/or hardcopies of client files will be provided to the selected provider.
Q: What are the local economic impacts by this application process?
A: A successful applicant will support local businesses, contractors, and increase the local workforce to assist low-income communities.
Q: Since new service territories will be created, will there be gaps in coverage?
A: No, there are safeguards in place to ensure that all counties receive service.
Q: Since there is not a budget released as part of the application, how do subgrantees and local communities estimate the amount of funding that will be received?
A: NC WAP will base the allocations on the Program Year 2024-2025 federal funding and adjusted accordingly when the federal 2025-2026 program funding is released. Individual funding allocations will be provided after applicants are selected and NCWAP allocates funding based on the State Plan.
Q: What will be utilized to determine subgrantee effectiveness as part of the application process?
A: The application contains a list of evaluation criteria.
Q: How will applications be evaluated?
Applications will be reviewed by an Evaluation Committee who will assess each application on its demonstrated strengths and weaknesses. Based on federal regulations, applicants who possess a successful track record in administering an effective weatherization program will receive preference.
Q: How will existing subgrantees in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene be able to apply?
A: For organizations in Western NC that were impacted by Hurricane Helene and physically located in a FEMA designated disaster area, DEQ is partnering with Land of Sky Regional Council to provide application assistance at no cost to the applicant. To access this assistance please contact Erin Hughes, Project Manager, Land of Sky Regional Council at Erin@landofsky.org by January 3, 2025.
Q: Will existing subgrantee service territory boundaries be retained?
A: It is highly unlikely. The territories could be expanded or decreased depending on the number of applications received and number of subgrantees selected.
Q: What is the maximum number of subgrantees that WAP will determine?
A: There will be enough to cover the state; however, no more than 19 will be selected.
Q: Do applicant boundaries need to be contiguous?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a minimum or maximum number of counties that an applicant can request?
A: No.
Q: Will late or incomplete submittals be accepted?
A: No.
Q: Where can an applicant formally ask questions about the application?
Questions about the application can be submitted via the formal Question Portal until 2:00 p.m., Jan. 3, 2025. Submitted questions will be answered on a rolling basis on the DEQ website, with all answers posted no later than 2:00 p.m., Jan. 10, 2025.
Applicants must use this question portal and may not use other mediums of communication to contact DEQ while the application period is open. This structure is designed to afford all applicants equitable access to information and provides a vehicle for the Weatherization Assistance Program to disseminate consistent information.
Q: Can an applicant submit more than one application?
A: No.