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What began as a conversation about a potential grant opportunity has grown into a series of clean energy projects benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs across San Diego County.
On October 27, Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation (HCSF) joined Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego, Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce, funding partners, club members and community members to celebrate the completion of a 50.4-kilowatt solar power system paired with 100 kilowatt-hours of battery storage at the Club's Oceanside location.
The system is projected to save the nonprofit approximately $894,000 in utility costs over its 25-year expected lifetime, freeing up resources to support youth development, programs for adults with developmental disabilities and food assistance for community members experiencing food insecurity.
But the story behind this project extends well beyond the solar installation.
How One Connection Led to Another
Our relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego began when we reached out about a grant opportunity offered by an Oceanside-based foundation in 2024. Although that particular funding opportunity wasn't a fit for solar, the conversation opened the door to something bigger.
The club introduced us to Boys & Girls Clubs of South County, where we began exploring opportunities to help reduce energy costs and expand access to clean energy through San Diego Community Power’s Community Clean Energy Grant Program.
That connection ultimately led to us securing funding for the solar power and battery storage project at the Imperial Beach Club, where a 25.5-kilowatt solar power system and 54 kilowatt-hours of battery storage are helping the nonprofit reduce operating expenses and strengthen its long-term sustainability and resiliency.
Meanwhile, another opportunity brought us back to Oceanside.
When HCSF was asked to manage the Oceanside Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program, funded by Preserve Calavera in partnership with the San Diego Foundation, we reconnected with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego to let them know about the opportunity to apply for funding. Through our Solar Moonshot Program, we also secured two grants for the Oceanside project, including support from BQuest Foundation. This time, with new funding opportunities and partnerships in place, they were able to move the solar project forward with 100 percent of funding secured.
What started as an unsuccessful grant opportunity had come full circle, demonstrating how maintaining relationships, connecting resources and pursuing new opportunities can turn an initial conversation into lasting community impact.
Nearly $900,000 in Savings to Strengthen Community Services
The newly-completed Oceanside solar power and battery storage system will generate clean, renewable electricity onsite, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and help the Club manage its long-term energy costs. The battery storage system also provides greater flexibility in managing electricity use.
For an organization delivering essential community services, these savings represent much more than reduced utility bills.
“This project is an investment in both sustainability and the future of our community,” said Marineke Vandervort, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego. “Every dollar saved on energy is a dollar we can redirect toward programs that change lives. We're incredibly grateful to Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation and our funding partners for helping us strengthen our impact for generations to come.”
The Club's Oceanside location serves young people, adults with varying developmental abilities and families experiencing food insecurity. Its kitchen plays a particularly important role in nourishing the community while creating opportunities for youth.
“Our kitchen does so much more than prepare meals,” said Kierstin O'Kelley, Culinary Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego. “Each month, our young culinary team helps provide 4,000 free meals to local youth while gaining valuable paid work experience. Investments like this help us focus more resources on what matters most—feeding our community and creating opportunities for the next generation.”
By reducing one of the Club's significant operating expenses, the solar project will allow more resources to be directed toward these vital services for decades to come.
Celebrating Community Collaboration and Local Jobs
Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce joined Club participants, including adults with disabilities, and community partners for the October 27 ribbon-cutting celebration.
“It's exciting to see a project like this come to life right here in Oceanside,” said Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce. “When organizations work together, we can make clean energy more accessible and create real benefits for our community. My hope is that this inspires other nonprofits, schools, and local organizations to explore similar opportunities.”
The project also supported local union jobs through its installation by Aloha Solar Power, a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569.
Beyond its immediate environmental and financial benefits, the installation creates opportunities to introduce young people to renewable energy technologies, environmental stewardship and potential careers in the growing clean energy sector.
“This is what we're working toward: a future where clean energy investments don't just power buildings, but strengthen the organizations and communities inside them,” said Tara Hammond, founder and executive director of Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation. “With nearly $900,000 in projected savings, this project will help Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego invest more resources in nourishing young people experiencing food insecurity, creating meaningful opportunities for adults with differing developmental abilities and expanding the essential services that make this Club such a vital community resource.”
A Catalyst for Expanding Our Impact
The relationships that began with this Oceanside opportunity have continued to grow.
Since completing the Imperial Beach solar project, we've secured funding for another project at the Boys & Girls Clubs of South County's Chula Vista location, which will include a 19.36-kilowatt solar power system and 41.5 kilowatt-hours of battery storage. Recently-secured grants are also supporting electric transportation and electric vehicle charging stations at the Imperial Beach Club as well as climate education at both South County Clubs.
We're also now in conversations with a third Boys & Girls Club affiliate seeking funding for solar installations at multiple locations.
These growing partnerships reflect something central to HCSF's approach: our work doesn't have to end with a single grant or solar installation.
By developing deeper relationships with nonprofits, understanding their priorities and connecting them with funding and technical expertise, we can identify new opportunities to expand our collective impact.
This philosophy also helped inspire our Holistic Healthy Communities initiative, which builds on clean energy investments to address broader community priorities, including healthier indoor environments, clean transportation, climate education and resilience. The pilot program is taking place at the Imperial Beach Club.
The Oceanside project was a catalyst for this expanding network of relationships and opportunities, showing how one connection can lead to multiple projects, new partnerships and greater benefits for communities.
Building a More Just and Livable Future Together
We're grateful to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego, Boys & Girls Clubs of South County, BQuest Foundation, Preserve Calavera, the San Diego Foundation, Aloha Solar Power, IBEW Local 569 and the many partners who have helped turn these opportunities into meaningful community investments.
The success of this project reminds us that collaboration isn't just about bringing partners together for one installation. It's about building relationships that create opportunities for continued progress.
When we invest in relationships alongside clean energy, the impact can extend far beyond a single project.
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