Geelong Sustainability is calling on the community to support the Community Energy
Revolving Fund (CERF), an initiative that helps local not-for-profits reduce their energy costs
and cut emissions.
The revolving fund provides interest-free loans to local not-for-profit organisations, enabling
them to overcome the upfront costs of energy upgrade projects like rooftop solar. This means
these projects are often cash flow positive from day one. As the loans are repaid over a five
year period, the repayments are reinvested into new projects, amplifying the impact of each
donation made. Once completely repaid, the organisation’s energy savings are able to go back
into supporting their own community initiatives.
Since its establishment in early 2022, the CERF has already supported 283 kW of solar and 15
hot water heat pumps across nine sites. These projects have helped organisations like
Cloverdale Community Centre, Lonsdale Links Golf Club, Torquay Community House and
Apollo Bay Museum to lower operating costs while reducing emissions by 300 tCO2e per year.
Raising just $10,000 for the CERF in 2025 could fund 10 kW of solar for a community centre,
saving the organisation $2,040 in the first year. Over time, loan repayments would fund
additional projects, with the initial donation cycling through multiple organisations. After 20
years, the same $10,000 could fund 73 kW of solar across 20 organisations, generating over
$135,000 in savings and cutting 830 tCO2e of emissions. We welcome donations of all
amounts to help grow the CERF and support local community organisations to reduce their
energy costs.
The Community Power Hub (CPH) is another Geelong Sustainability initiative that helps
identify energy saving opportunities for local non-profit organisations. It plays a key role in
helping community groups ensure that CERF-funded projects are carefully assessed, correctly
sized, and competitively quoted, maximising their impact. The CERF also helps leverage grant
funding, supports the operation of the CPH, and fills the gap left by declining government
funding for community energy projects.
“The CERF is an innovative way to provide long-term financial and environmental benefits to
local organisations while helping our region transition to clean energy,” says Jane Spence, CEO, Geelong Sustainability. “We invite individuals, businesses, and philanthropic groups to
contribute and be part of this ongoing transformation.”
“We are so grateful for the support of the CERF,” said Liz Bonner, CEO, Cloverdale Community
Centre. “The interest-free loan (as well as a partial state government grant) allowed us to
install solar with no upfront costs, making the project cash-flow positive from day one. Thanks
to the CERF, we are saving $5,000 per year on electricity costs and cutting 25 tonnes of carbon
emissions annually—savings that can now be reinvested into our community support
services.”
How to Donate
Donations to the CERF can be made here.
Every dollar contributes to a sustainable, cost-saving future for local not-for-profits.