SEI Receives Historic $500,000 Grant to Advance Renewable Energy Education & Scholarships

Paonia, CO., 1/28/2025 – Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading provider of renewable energy education, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Invest in Our Future, a fiscally sponsored project of RF Catalytic Capital, a subsidiary of The Rockefeller Foundation. The grant represents the single largest foundation support in SEI’s history and will significantly expand access to renewable energy education and training.

The funding will be divided between two strategic initiatives. The first portion will support curriculum development for SEI’s Utility Scale Solar Construction Fundamentals series and enhance Operations and Maintenance training programs. The second portion will strengthen the SEI Empowerment Scholarship program, providing equal distributions of $50,000 each to support the Women in Solar Power Program, Native Americans, US Hispanic Program, and general funding needs for U.S. citizens and territories.

“This grant enables us to expand both our cutting-edge curriculum and vital scholarship programs,” said Kiera Coughlan, Empowerment Program Manager at SEI. “By further developing our utility-scale solar training while simultaneously breaking down financial barriers for underrepresented communities, we’re creating even more inclusive pathways into the renewable energy sector.”

Invest in Our Future is a joint philanthropic effort connecting communities nationwide with federal clean energy investments. With support from partners including the Rockefeller Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Packard Foundation, Breakthrough Energy, and more, Invest in Our Future makes catalytic grants to advance an equitable, inclusive clean energy transition.

“Solar Energy International has been a leader in solar energy training for decades,” said Alyssa Thomas, Program Officer at Invest in Our Future.  “Invest in Our Future is thrilled to provide this grant to advance our shared goal of increasing diversity in the solar energy industry through accessible, affordable, and industry-informed training programs.”

The grant was awarded through a competitive selection process, recognizing SEI’s innovative approach to renewable energy education and alignment with Invest in Our Future’s mission to foster systemic change through economic opportunity, resilience, and equitable growth.

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About Solar Energy International
Solar Energy International (SEI) empowers students, alumni, and partners to expand a diverse, inclusive, well-trained and educated solar electricity workforce. Our aim is to promote sustainable economic growth, mitigate climate change, and support energy independence. For more information, please visit SEI’s website.

About Invest in Our Future
Invest in Our Future brings philanthropic organizations together in a national effort to build an inclusive, equitable clean energy economy. Mobilizing philanthropic resources, Invest in Our Future is building enduring partnerships and ecosystems of support to ensure federal clean energy investments meet the self-determined needs of underserved communities. Learn more at investinourfuture.org.