Community Energy Project
Community Energy Project is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1979, that delivers free home weatherization, energy assessments, healthy-homes education, home repairs, and community-solar enrollment to low-income households across the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Community Energy Project does
Community Energy Project (CEP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1979 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that delivers free home energy, health, and resilience services to low-income households across the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area. Its portfolio spans Home Energy Score assessments (using the U.S. DOE Home Energy Score software), seasonal weatherization and year-round healthy-homes workshops (covering lead poisoning prevention, indoor air quality, radon, and mold) with free material kits, in-home repairs and weatherization (air sealing, insulation, duct sealing, heat-pump water-heater replacement), comprehensive Portland Home Retrofits, and Oregon Community Solar enrollment. Multilingual delivery (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Karen, Maay-Maay, Zomi, Arabic, Nepali, Burmese, Rohinga) is paired with a community-led go-to-market combining in-home visits, workshops, virtual presentations, phone appointments, and partner referrals.
CEP employs roughly 40 staff under Executive Director Charity Fain and operates as a nonprofit intermediary rather than a commercial enterprise: all services are free at the point of delivery to households at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Revenue is sourced from institutional grants and donations rather than per-service fees, with the largest-ever Portland Clean Energy Fund award, HUD and state weatherization funding, utility partnerships (PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power, Energy Trust of Oregon), and corporate/foundation grants underwriting operations. Strategic partnerships with Portland Water Bureau, Portland Housing Bureau, the City of Hillsboro, R2E2, Catalyst Partnership NW, and contractors such as Comfort Insulation Specialists and Peak Performance Roofing extend delivery into comprehensive home repair and affordable-housing retrofits, while a policy advocacy program targets green and healthy homes, decarbonization, and energy justice.
Community Energy Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Community Energy Project
- Legal name
- Community Energy Project
- Website
- https://communityenergyproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Community Energy Project is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1979, that delivers free home weatherization, energy assessments, healthy-homes education, home repairs, and community-solar enrollment to low-income households across the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Community Energy Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Energy and Housing Services
- NAICS
- Other Community Housing Services (624229), Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Demand Response & Load Flexibility Services (EUAMAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)
Keywords
Where Community Energy Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Community Energy Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and community members supporting CEP's mission to provide free home services to low-income communities.
- Government Grants and Funding: Funding from government agencies including Portland Clean Energy Fund, HUD, and state programs to support home weatherization and retrofit programs.
- Corporate and Foundation Grants: Support from foundations and corporate partners for specific programs and initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free services for income-qualified households |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Community Energy Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Energy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free in-home weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, healthy homes education, and community solar enrollment to income-qualified households in the Portland metro area. Core offerings include Home Energy Score assessments, Weatherization and Healthy Homes Workshops with free material kits, direct Home and Energy Repairs (including heat pump water heater replacements), Portland Home Retrofits, and policy advocacy on energy justice.
Product overview
Community Energy Project is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected home services focused on energy efficiency, health, and climate resilience for low-income communities in Portland, Oregon. The core offerings include Home Energy Score Assessments that provide energy benchmarking for homeowners, Weatherization and Healthy Homes Workshops that educate residents on energy savings and lead safety with free material kits, the Oregon Community Solar Program connecting income-qualified customers to shared solar projects, and direct Home and Energy Repairs including weatherization, leak repairs, and heat pump water heater replacements. Additional services include Portland Home Retrofits for comprehensive energy upgrades, Online Education Videos in English and Spanish covering DIY home improvements, a Volunteer Program for community engagement, and an Advocacy Program focused on energy justice policy. These services are provided free to income-qualified households (at or below 80% AMI) and are funded through partnerships with utilities, foundations, and government agencies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves clients over $300 per year on electric bills through heat pump water heater replacements
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Community Energy Project
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Community Energy Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Community Energy Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- R2E2 (Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity)coreR2E2 initiative partnering with CEP to bring transformative energy efficiency upgrades to affordable housing in historically underserved communities, supporting workforce development and local jobs.
- Portland Housing BureaucorePartnership with Portland Housing Bureau's Portland Home Retrofits program to provide free home energy improvements to qualifying Portland residents through voter-approved funding that creates local green jobs.
- Portland Water BureaucorePartnership with Portland Water Bureau for the Home Water Leak Repair Program. CEP repairs specific waterline issues, replaces equipment, and provides lead exposure awareness and education to qualifying customers.
- Portland General ElectriccoreUtility partner for community solar program and energy efficiency initiatives. PGE customers can access CEP's community solar services and weatherization programs.
- Pacific PowercoreUtility partner for Oregon Community Solar Program. Pacific Power customers in Oregon can subscribe to community solar through CEP's low-income facilitation services.
- Idaho PowercoreUtility partner for Oregon Community Solar Program. Idaho Power customers in Oregon service areas can access community solar through CEP.
- Oregon Community Solar ProgramcoreCEP serves as Low-Income Facilitator connecting income-qualified Oregon residents to the statewide community solar program, helping subscribers access guaranteed bill savings.
- Energy Trust of OregoncorePartnership with Energy Trust for energy efficiency programs and incentives supporting CEP's weatherization and home upgrade services.
- Catalyst Partnership NorthwestsupportingCommunity partner that joined CEP in providing critical repairs for Ms. Fox, a fixed-income homeowner. Partnership demonstrates collaborative approach to serving vulnerable community members.
- Peak Performance RoofingsupportingRoofing contractor partner that worked with CEP and Catalyst to replace Ms. Fox's failing roof as part of comprehensive home repair partnership.
- Comfort Insulation SpecialistssupportingInsulation and HVAC contractor partner that performs weatherization, insulation, and energy efficiency upgrades as part of CEP's PCEF projects. Family-owned business with 25+ years experience.
- City of Portland Bureau of Planning and SustainabilitycoreCity agency partner supporting CEP's climate action and energy efficiency programs in Portland.
- HillsborosupportingCity of Hillsboro partnership for extreme weather and community resilience programs, expanding CEP's service area to the western Portland metro region.
- Verde PortlandsupportingEnvironmental organization partner collaborating with CEP on community workshops and energy justice initiatives.
- Multnomah County Office of SustainabilitysupportingCounty agency partner for sustainability and energy justice advocacy work and community workshops.
- CUB Oregon (Citizens' Utility Board)supportingConsumer advocacy partner working with CEP on energy justice initiatives and utility regulation advocacy.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Community Energy Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Habitat for Humanity: Global nonprofit building and repairing affordable homes for low-income households. Comparable to CEP through low-income homeowner services, weatherization, and repair offerings, though Habitat's scope is much broader and includes new construction.
- Energy Trust of Oregon: Oregon statewide nonprofit utility providing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Comparable to CEP as a partner in Oregon's energy efficiency ecosystem, but with a broader statewide mandate and larger resource base.
- National Grid USA / NYSERDA Weatherization Partners: State-level weatherization and energy efficiency program operators that channel federal Weatherization Assistance Program funds to local providers. Comparable as funding and program infrastructure for low-income home upgrades, though at state-level scale.
Direct peers
- Rebuilding Together: National nonprofit providing free home repairs, weatherization, and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Directly comparable to CEP's in-home repair, weatherization, and senior/disability services model.
- GRID Alternatives: National nonprofit delivering no-cost rooftop and community solar installations for low-income households and workforce development. Directly comparable to CEP's community solar facilitation and low-income clean energy deployment work.
- Elevate Energy: Chicago-based nonprofit designing and implementing programs that reduce energy burden for low-income households. Closely comparable to CEP's combination of weatherization, energy efficiency education, and equity-focused program delivery.
- Community Housing Partners: Virginia-based nonprofit providing weatherization, energy efficiency, home repair, and healthy housing services to low-income households. Directly comparable to CEP's integrated service model across energy, health, and housing.
Regional players
- Verde Portland: Portland-based environmental nonprofit working on climate equity and community-based environmental initiatives. A regional peer and active partner of CEP that competes for similar Portland-area grant dollars and energy justice funding.
- Self-Help Enterprises: California-based community development nonprofit providing self-help housing, home repair, and water/wastewater services in rural communities. Comparable model combining home repair with community education, though focused on rural Central California.
Others
- CLEAResult: Large energy efficiency program administrator working with utilities and governments to deliver residential and commercial efficiency programs. Comparable in program delivery infrastructure but operates as a commercial firm rather than a community nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Community Energy Project social profiles
Digital presenceCommunity Energy Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Community Energy Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Community Energy Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Community Energy Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Community Energy Project
What does Community Energy Project do?
Community Energy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free in-home weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, healthy homes education, and community solar enrollment to income-qualified households in the Portland metro area. Core offerings include Home Energy Score assessments, Weatherization and Healthy Homes Workshops with free material kits, direct Home and Energy Repairs (including heat pump water heater replacements), Portland Home Retrofits, and policy advocacy on energy justice.
Is Community Energy Project a public or private company?
Community Energy Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Community Energy Project founded?
Community Energy Project was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Community Energy Project based?
Community Energy Project is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Community Energy Project make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Funding and corporate and Foundation Grants.
Who are Community Energy Project's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Habitat for Humanity, Energy Trust of Oregon and National Grid USA / NYSERDA Weatherization Partners. Direct peers are Rebuilding Together, GRID Alternatives, Elevate Energy and Community Housing Partners. Regional players are Verde Portland and Self-Help Enterprises. CLEAResult is listed as an others.
Does Community Energy Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Community Energy Project.
What industry is Community Energy Project in?
Community Energy Project's product category is Community Energy and Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAJAF, Demand Response & Load Flexibility Services, with a secondary code of EUAMAJAD, Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind. Its NAICS code is 624229 and its SIC code is 7340.