Sam Schanfarber, Business Development Manager and Kelly Stevens, Senior Manager, Strategic Communications & Partnerships at Forth gave this presentation at the PNW Utility Roundtable on June 3, 2021.

1. Outside funding &
transportation
electrification pilot
projects for utilities
Photo @Dylan VanWeelden

2. Outside Funding and You
Why should utilities care about outside funding?
1. Possibility to fund creative, innovative pilots designed by utility
2. Receive collateral/new programs by contributing cost-share to a pilot
designed by another entity

3. Outside Funding Opportunities at a Glance
Private/Foundation Funders are often
open to solicitation for one-off pilots
(within org charter) outside of RFPs
• Family Foundations (Walton; Alumbra)
• Non-profit Foundations (Bonneville
Environmental Foundation; Energy
Foundation)
Federal, State, & Municipal
funding opportunities; usually
solicit multiple RFPs for specific
types of projects:
● Department of Energy
● Department of Transportation
● Department of Commerce
● Department of Environmental
Quality
● State Infrastructure Grants

4. Types of Proposals/Projects
1. Design pilot tailored to funding opportunity
● Identify funding opportunity
● Design pilot around what funder seeks OR
modify previous program
2. Find funding for new idea
● Idea typically stems from a partner or could
be from utility
● Seek funder willing to fund pilot

5. Types of Partner
Organizations
1. Municipalities
2. Clean Cities Coalitions
3. Engineering/planning/
implementation firms
4. Local NGOs
5. National NGOs
6. OEMs/EVSE Manufacturers

6. Utility roles
As contributor/partner (project
dependent):
● Contribute cost-share through staff time
● Contribute cash cost-share offset by
grant funds
● Implement program(s) or collateral from
project
● Provide project data to prime
As a prime:
● Manage all grant reporting and required
PR
● Project manage scope of grant
● (As applicable) seek additional funding
or build sustainable revenue model

7. AMP (Affordable
Mobility Platform)
● Self-Service Ride &
Drive/carshare platform
● Utilities can place a vehicle
in their service territory to
be utilized by customers
● Pilot currently being funded
by APPA+BEF
● In the pilot stage, utility
provides cost-share and
promotes program

8. E Tractors Project
● Pilot purchased an electric
tractor to be used/tested at
rural farms over project
period
● Goal is to advance rural
transportation electrification
● Multiple partners
● Utility has joined project as a
funder, a communications
and distribution partner, and
provide infrastructure
incentives

9. Questions?
Contact:
● Sam Schanfarber
Business Development Manager
sams@forthmobility.org
● Kelly Stevens
Senior Manager, Strategic
Communications & Partnerships
kellys@forthmobility.org