PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Sponsors of Mass Save announced the 2025-2027 cohort of Community First Partners, and Pittsfield was chosen as one of the 58 municipal partners.

 

58 municipalities and community-based organizations will work with their local Mass Save Sponsor to provide energy efficiency solutions to residents and small businesses to reduce energy use and increase the comfort of homes and buildings. 

 

The initiative leverages local knowledge and trusted relationships of municipalities and community-based organizations to increase participation in Mass Save energy efficiency programs. This initiative seeks to target renters, landlords, income-eligible households, language-isolated households, and small businesses in participating communities to ensure the benefits of energy efficiency are more equitably distributed, particularly among those who have been historically underserved.  

 

As part of the proposed Massachusetts 2025-2027 Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan, the Sponsors will enhance support and flexibility for Community First Partners, enabling them to tailor their outreach strategies more effectively, retain skilled staff and design marketing initiatives that resonate with their residents and small businesses owners. Additionally, the Sponsors will provide training for the lead vendors and energy advocates on small business incentives and opportunities to drive more small business energy assessments.  

 

• Up to $85,500 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 
• Co-branded multilingual marketing materials 
• Coaching and best practices to encourage program participation 

"Through the Mass Save Community First Partnership, our goal is to make energy efficiency more accessible and affordable for all," said Maggie Downey, Chief Administrative Officer at Cape Light Compact. "Partnering with municipalities and community-based organizations allows us to reach more renters, multilingual families, and income-eligible residents to offer real solutions that lower energy use and support a cleaner community. 

 

In 2022-2024, 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.