National Energy Improvement Fund

What National Energy Improvement Fund does

National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) is a privately held, Certified B Corporation specialty lender founded in 2018 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, providing fixed-rate unsecured installment loans and financing administration for energy efficiency, resilience, and renewable energy upgrades to residential and commercial properties across 46 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company operates a multi-channel lending platform — including an Online Financing Application Portal with instant credit decisioning, a Contractor Finance Portal for its 1,500+ NEIF-Approved Contractors, a Contractor Directory with co-branded Financing Gateway pages, and an Online Payment Portal for loan servicing — and serves as the exclusive or preferred financing administrator for utility-sponsored programs operated by Atlantic City Electric, JCP&L, Rockland Electric Company, Xcel Energy, Duke Energy, Eversource, Efficiency Maine, and Michigan Saves, among others.

The core product portfolio spans EnergyPlus Home Improvement Financing (residential, terms up to 10 years, no fees or closing costs), Commercial Energy Efficiency Financing and Equipment Financing (rates from 5% for government projects to ~11% typical commercial, $2,000 minimum, terms 1–7 years), Custom Project Financing including Commercial PACE and Energy Service Agreements, and the RebateBridge™ advance funding platform, which has disbursed nearly $550 million in utility and state rebate advances to implementors and contractors since 2018. NEIF monetizes through interest income on originated loans, program administration fees paid by utilities and state sponsors, RebateBridge transaction fees, and a new Premium Contractor Service tier ($29.99/month) offering co-branding and customer pre-screening tools.

The company is led by co-founders Peter Krajsa (Co-Chair and Managing Member, former CEO of predecessor AFC First Financial Corporation) and Matthew Brown (Co-Chair, former head of NCSL energy program and principal at Harcourt Brown and Carey) along with COO Laura Nelson. NEIF traces its heritage to AFC First Financial Corporation (founded 1947) and was spun out as a for-profit benefit LLC in 2018 with the explicit mission of mobilizing private capital for energy efficiency. Since inception, NEIF has financed over $651 million in energy efficiency upgrades, with 2025 alone representing $220 million of new financing and 51% of loans going to low- and moderate-income households.

Name

National Energy Improvement Fund

Legal name

National Energy Improvement Fund LLC

Website

https://www.neifund.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Energy Improvement Fund is a Certified B Corporation specialty lender that provides fixed-rate unsecured loans and program administration for residential and commercial energy efficiency upgrades across 46 U.S. states via a 1,500+ contractor network and utility partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Efficiency Financing

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)

SIC

Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy Efficiency & Green Retrofit Financing (FSALAHAK)

Keywords

• Energy efficiency financing
• Residential improvement loans
• Commercial energy lending
• Contractor financing programs
• Utility-sponsored financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Allentown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Energy Efficiency Loans: NEIF provides fixed-rate, unsecured installment loans for energy efficiency improvements. Revenue is generated through interest charged on financed projects, with rates beginning as low as 5% for government projects and typical rates of 11% for commercial projects. Residential loans feature fixed monthly payments with terms up to 10 years.
2. Program Administration Fees: NEIF designs and administers financing programs for utilities, governments, and other sponsors. Fees are earned for program design, implementation, and ongoing administration of utility-sponsored financing programs across multiple states.
3. RebateBridge Advance Fees: RebateBridge advances rebates for utility, state, and other rebate programs to contractors. NEIF earns fees for processing, funding, and monitoring rebate distributions while maintaining compliance with program requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) is a Certified B Corporation lender that provides fixed-rate, unsecured installment loans to homeowners and fixed-rate commercial financing to businesses, non-profits, and municipalities for energy efficiency, resilience, and renewable energy upgrades. NEIF distributes financing through a network of over 1,500 approved contractors and through partnerships with utilities, state energy offices, and green banks that sponsor energy efficiency programs. The company also operates RebateBridge™, which advances utility and state rebate payments to contractors to ease their cash flow.

Product overview

National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) operates as a mission-based lender and finance platform specializing in energy efficiency and resilience upgrades. The company's core offerings consist of unsecured fixed-rate installment loans for homeowners (EnergyPlus) and multi-channel commercial financing for businesses, municipalities, and non-profits. The platform architecture includes a Contractor Finance Portal for approved contractors to manage applications and proposals, an Online Financing Application Portal for borrowers, and a Contractor Directory with custom Financing Gateway pages for each approved contractor. Supporting products include RebateBridge™ for rebate advance funding to contractors, Equipment Financing for commercial projects $2,000 and up, Custom Project Financing for capital-intensive projects including Commercial PACE and Energy Service Agreements, a UtilityGenius rebate search tool, and an Online Payment Portal for loan servicing. NEIF serves as program administrator for utility-sponsored programs including Atlantic City Electric, JCP&L, Rockland Electric Company, and Xcel Energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RebateBridge™: Advance funding program for utility and state program rebates that provides timely payments to contractors
• Go Greener Academy
• EnergyPlus

Products and services

• EnergyPlus Home Improvement Financing Unsecured fixed-rate installment loans for homeowners financing energy efficiency and resilience improvements such as HVAC, insulation, windows, roofing, and solar. Features include no fees to borrower, no home equity required, and terms up to 10 years.
• Commercial Energy Efficiency Financing Multi-channel funding and online financing for commercial, non-profit, industrial, and municipal energy improvements covering heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting, and air quality systems. Rates begin at 5% for government projects with typical commercial rates around 11%.
• Equipment Financing Simple monthly payment financing for energy upgrades available to any commercial, non-profit, or municipal property with project sizes from $2,000 and terms typically 1-7 years, with documentation fees of $125-$295.
• Custom Project Financing Full suite of financing solutions for large, capital-intensive energy projects including Commercial PACE, Energy Service Agreements, and Renewable Energy Financing Solutions for commercial, non-profit, and municipal borrowers.
• RebateBridge™ Advance funding platform for utility, state, and other program rebates that provides timely payments to contractors, mitigating cash flow issues and supporting uninterrupted program participation. NEIF has provided nearly $550 million in funding to implementors and contractors for rebates since 2018.
• Online Financing Application Portal Digital platform providing residential and commercial financing applications with instant credit decisions, contractor selection functionality, document submission, and loan tracking.
• Contractor Finance Portal Online portal for NEIF-Approved Contractors to view borrower applications, create finance proposals, manage pipeline, access reporting, and track the financing process from proposal through final funding.
• Contractor Directory Searchable directory enabling property owners to find NEIF-Approved Contractors by name, zip code proximity, state, or property type.
• UtilityGenius Rebate Search Tool Interactive map-based tool enabling users to access utility information and locate rebate programs relevant to their location.
• Online Payment Portal Secure 24/7 portal for residential loan payment management including one-time payments, recurring payments, and e-Statement enrollment.
• Premium Contractor Service $29.99/month enhanced service offering co-branding capabilities, customer pre-screening, customer pre-approval, and an interest rate buydown calculator for commercial contractors.

Quantifiable outcome

• $220 million in energy efficiency financing in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• U.S. Department of EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF is a U.S. DOE Home Improvement Expert Partner, collaborating with the DOE Building America Solutions Center. NEIF helps set standards of contractor-driven energy efficiency financing and contributes expertise to DOE programs.
• Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF is a lender partner of IBHS, supporting resilient building practices and financing for home resilience improvements including fortified roofs and backup power.
• Building Performance Institute (BPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF is a financing administrator and lender partner of BPI, supporting qualified contractors who hold BPI certifications for home performance work.
• Atlantic City ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF serves as financing administrator for Atlantic City Electric's commercial and residential energy efficiency programs, offering 0.00% financing for qualifying upgrades.
• Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF administers financing programs for JCP&L residential and commercial customers making energy efficiency improvements.
• Rockland Electric CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF provides 0% financing for Rockland Electric Company customers for qualifying energy efficiency upgrades.
• Xcel EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF serves as trusted commercial financing partner for Xcel Energy trade partners and customers in Colorado, offering tailored financing solutions for energy-efficiency upgrades.
• Duke EnergymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF partners with Duke Energy to provide financing options for energy efficiency improvements through utility programs.
• EversourcemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF partners with Eversource for Mass Save commercial programs and other energy efficiency financing programs.
• Efficiency MainecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF serves as the lender for Efficiency Maine's residential and commercial efficiency finance programs, using the state's capital to fund loans.
• Franklin EnergymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNEIF partners with Franklin Energy, an energy implementation company, to deliver financing programs for utility energy efficiency initiatives.
• Pearl CertificationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF partners with Pearl Certification to help homeowners recognize and document the value of high-performing home assets, potentially adding value at resale.
• Michigan SavescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF is an authorized lender of Michigan Saves, the nation's first non-profit green bank, providing financing for Michigan projects $2,000 and greater.
• Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF partners with KEEA to support Pennsylvania energy efficiency policies and programs, including the KEEP Home Energy Loan program.
• Indiana Energy Independence Fund (IEIF)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEIF provides access to low-cost commercial financing for Indiana businesses, multifamily, non-profits, and government properties in coordination with IEIF.
• Harcourt Brown & CareymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF's sister company Harcourt Brown & Carey has been a leading consultant in the energy industry for many years, offering program design and support to states and organizations that NEIF serves.
• Building Performance Institute (BPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF partners with BPI as a lender supporting BPI-certified contractors and home performance projects.
• NASEO (National Association of State Energy Officials)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEIF partners with NASEO to support state energy offices in developing and implementing energy efficiency financing programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Renew Financial: Renew Financial is a specialty green lender focused on PACE and energy-efficiency financing for residential and commercial properties. It is a direct competitor to NEIF, and notably acquired NEIF's predecessor (AFC First) in 2015 — meaning multiple NEIF executives (including Peter Krajsa and Laura Nelson) came directly from Renew.
• Ygrene Energy Fund: Ygrene is one of the largest PACE financing providers in the U.S., funding residential and commercial energy-efficiency, resilience, and renewable upgrades through a contractor-network model — directly comparable to NEIF's contractor-driven, multi-channel lending approach.
• Dividend Finance: Dividend Finance is a specialty lender providing residential solar and home-improvement financing through a contractor channel and broader capital-markets funding — overlapping closely with NEIF's contractor-driven, fixed-rate home improvement and renewable energy loan book.
• Mosaic: Mosaic (formerly Solar Mosaic) is a clean-energy lender providing residential solar and energy-efficiency loan products to homeowners through installer channels. It competes with NEIF in the clean-energy consumer finance space, particularly for residential solar and home upgrade projects.
• Pace Funding Group: Pace Funding Group (Pace Funding / Paces Funding) is a direct PACE and energy-efficiency financing peer operating across multiple states through a contractor network, functionally overlapping with NEIF's EnergyPlus and Commercial PACE offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Sunlight Financial: Sunlight Financial is a publicly traded specialty finance company that originated residential solar loans at scale, serving a much larger addressable footprint than NEIF. It competes in adjacent solar/home-improvement financing and serves as a broad incumbent benchmark for green consumer lending economics.
• Loanpal: Loanpal is a high-volume point-of-sale clean-energy lender partnering with major utilities, solar installers, and contractors — a much larger incumbent version of NEIF's utility-sponsored and contractor-channel financing model.
• GreenSky (Goldman Sachs Bank USA): GreenSky, now part of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, is the dominant bank-backed home-improvement point-of-sale lender, serving thousands of contractors nationwide — substantially larger and broader than NEIF but operating in the same fixed-rate, contractor-channel home improvement credit market.

Emerging players

• Figur (formerly Energy Home Insurance / Spruce Power): Figur is a newer digital lender focused on financing residential energy and resilience upgrades — emerging as a contractor-channel competitor for unsecured home improvement and energy-efficiency loans similar to NEIF's EnergyPlus product.
• EnergySage: EnergySage is the leading online solar/clean-energy shopping marketplace, providing homeowners comparisons for installers and increasingly financing options. It is an emerging ecosystem participant whose marketplace positioning complements and competes indirectly with NEIF's referral-driven financing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/neifundorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClFrw-Iiq8yky4fFdVP-Csg
• Facebookfacebook.com/neifund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-energy-improvement-fund-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalenergyimprovementfund

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Energy Improvement Fund