Requity Foundation Inc. Named Grand Prize Winner
Baltimore, Maryland [December 19, 2024] — Requity Foundation Inc. (Requity) was recently announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as one of 19 Grand Prize winners in the Community Energy Innovation Prize. Requity was recognized as a top performer and awarded $310,000 for progress made in implementing their plan to bridge vocational education and the clean energy workforce through passive house, EV charging infrastructure, and weatherization pilot projects. Across all three phases of the prize Requity was awarded a total of $510,000.
The Community Energy Innovation Prize spurred the formation of coalitions of community stakeholders with the goal of helping underrepresented communities address local energy challenges using clean, sustainable solutions.
The prize culminated in a two-day summit in Chicago, IL in December 2024. During the event teams presented their progress on the plans they created in the first two phases of the prize. After the pitches, all 19 competing teams were awarded an additional $10,000 for successfully completing all requirements in the third and final phase of the prize.
"Our win in Chicago is proof that the skills we’re building can make a real impact—not just in our community but in creating a more sustainable future. This is just the beginning, and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned here to inspire others and keep pushing for change," said Justin Pittman, Senior at Carver Vocational-Technical High School.
About the American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize
The nearly $7.5 million Community Energy Innovation Prize was designed to help community coalitions—made up of nonprofits, city governments, school systems, and other community organizations—come together to develop a strategy to address a local clean energy opportunity or inequity. Strategies included everything from student education to workforce trainings to implementation of new technologies. The Community Energy Innovation Prize is part of the American-Made program, which fast tracks innovation through prizes, training, teaming, and mentoring. The Community Energy Innovation Prize is directed and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office.
About Requity Foundation Inc.
Requity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between vocational education and the workforce for Baltimore City high-schoolers. Through innovative programs in construction, culinary arts, clean energy, and agriculture, Requity addresses pressing community challenges while empowering the next generation of leaders.