Community First Partnership

Empowering communities through energy efficiency and electrification
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Energy bills can be a significant burden for some Massachusetts families and small businesses, disproportionately affecting residents of Environmental Justice Communities. Energy efficiency solutions can reduce energy bills, improve indoor air quality, and create a more comfortable home or business.

The Community First Partnership leverages the local knowledge and trusted relationships of municipalities and community-based organizations to increase participation in Mass Save energy efficiency programs. This initiative drives participation among renters, landlords, low- to moderate income households, language-isolated households, and small businesses in participating communities. 

The Sponsors of Mass Save provide funding, resources, trainings, and support to participating municipalities and local community-based organizations to increase participation in the Mass Save programs. This includes funding and support to hire a full- or part-time Energy Advocate and implement outreach campaigns in their community. 


The application period for the 2025-2027 cycle has closed. The list of accepted Community Teams will be posted when finalized.  

 

The 2025-2027 applicants Community Teams may receive: 

  • Up to $85,000 per year to support an Energy Advocate* and local marketing efforts.       
  • Comprehensive training on energy efficiency and electrification   
  • Support from energy efficiency and electrification experts
  • A community-focused, multilingual automated phone line   and webpage on MassSave.com guiding residents and small businesses to sign up for Mass Save programs 
  • Co-branded multilingual marketing materials
  • Monthly progress reports on customer participation
  • Coaching and best practices to encourage program participation
  • Customer support
  • Local event support
  • The  opportunity to share feedback to continually strengthen the Partnership and the Mass Save programs

    *Energy Advocate may be full-time or part-time and the award amount will be adjusted accordingly.
 

 In 2022–2023:

  • 52 Communities have benefited from local, community-led outreach
  • The 26 Community First Partners supporting these 52 communities helped achieve:
      • ○ 72,716 Home Energy Assessments
      ○ 18,112 residential weatherization upgrades
      ○ 20,887 home heating and cooling upgrades
      ○ 2,709 small business energy efficiency upgrades

  • Community First Partners received up to $60,000 in funding annually for up to three years, as well as in-kind marketing and technical support


2022-2024 Community First Partners:

The following Community First Partners, comprised of municipalities and community-based organizations participate in the 2022–2024 Community First Partnership:

  • Arlington
  • Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission (in Adams, Great Barrington, Lanesborough, Lee, North Adams, and Williamstown)
  • Beverly and Salem
  • Boston
  • Cambridge
  • Cape Verdean Association (in Brockton)
  • Chelsea, Winthrop, and Revere
  • Clean Water Fund (in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, and Westport)
  • Ener-G-Save (in Springfield, Pittsfield, West Springfield)
  • Everett
  • Framingham and Natick
  • Gloucester
  • Groundwork Lawrence (in Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover)
  • Lowell
  • Malden
  • Melrose
  • Norwood, Sharon, and Walpole
  • Quincy Asian Resources Inc (in Quincy and Randolph)
  • Shelburne
  • Swampscott and Lynn
  • Vineyard Power (in Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury)
  • Watertown
  • Westborough
  • Worcester