These new commitments support SouthCoast regional initiatives and includes matching grants from the new SouthCoast Fund at the SouthCoast Community Foundation
FALL RIVER, MA – September 22, 2022—Mayflower Wind, the developer of an offshore wind energy lease area located off the coast of Massachusetts, today announced that Browning the Green Space, South Coast LGBTQ+ Network, and Battleship Cove were awarded grants as part of the company’s efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion in the renewable energy industry and preserve local historic sites for generations to come.
Michael Brown, CEO of Mayflower Wind said, “Mayflower Wind is committed to ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the offshore wind industry and we are dedicated to helping those organizations that can help make this goal a reality.” He added, “We are thrilled to support both Browning the Green Space and the SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network whose work will ensure that the offshore wind workforce here in Southern New England will be fully inclusive and offer opportunities for all.”
Browning the Green Space, a nonprofit coalition of leaders and organizations, primarily in the New England region, works to increase the participation and leadership of Black and Brown people in the clean energy space. Mayflower Wind is donating $126,000, which will be matched by an equal sized grant from the $42.5 million SouthCoast Fund that was established earlier this year at the SouthCoast Community Foundation. The combined $252,000 grant will support BGS’s ACCESS (Accelerating Contractors of Color in Energy for Sustainable Success) Business Boot Camp program. The 8-week boot camp is for aspiring clean energy business owners and provides entrepreneurs of color with curated business coaching, access to capital, and connections to customers, clients, and potential partners.
Kerry Bowie, president and executive director of Browning the Green Space said, “Small businesses led by founders/owners of color tend to hire more employees of color, but they can only do so when they have contracts and the stability that those contracts bring to allow them to scale and grow. We are grateful to Mayflower Wind and its fund at the SouthCoast Community Foundation for the generous support of our ACCESS Business Boot Camp program, which will allow BGS to provide follow-on support to alumni including capital grants, mentorship, and additional training to help them access clean energy contracting opportunities.”
Leonard Lee, president, and CEO of the SouthCoast Community Foundation said, “Browning the Green Space is exactly the kind of organization we envisioned benefitting from the SouthCoast Fund. Their ACCESS program is a perfect example of how to open doors so all people can participate in the growing clean energy industry.”
Mayflower Wind and the SouthCoast Fund are also donating a combined $100,000 to The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network which will support the group’s creation of a community center in New Bedford. This is the second donation by Mayflower Wind to help with the group’s renovation of the old “Three Sisters” building. Andy Pollack, president of The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network said, “Mayflower Wind’s donation is helping us close the gap on funding our community center project. We are grateful for their continued support, not only of this project but more importantly our mission to provide services, including professional development, to the LGBTQ+ community.”
Mayflower Wind also announced they made a $25,000 donation to Battleship Cove for the continued preservation of the USS Massachusetts, what Brown called, “An icon of the rich history of the SouthCoast community.”
About Mayflower Wind
Mayflower Wind, a 50/50 joint venture between Shell New Energies US LLC and Ocean Winds North America, is developing an offshore wind lease area with the potential to supply 2,400 megawatts of low-cost clean energy to electricity customers in New England. Mayflower Wind is committed to zero harm, innovation, and industry development, and investing in our local communities.
About Browning the Green Space
Browning the Green Space (BGS) is a nonprofit coalition of leaders and organizations that share the passion to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in clean energy and climatetech. BGS seeks to facilitate a just energy transition by putting Black and Brown communities first, and enabling systems change at the intersection of social, environmental, and economic justice. BGS is powering a just energy transition by creating jobs, building wealth, and reducing energy burden in Black and Brown communities. By removing barriers and expanding access, BGS seeks to close the racial wealth gap while combating climate change.
About the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network
The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network (The Network) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2014 by seven LGBTQ+ agencies and allied organizations with help from The Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. Their mission is to create and support a thriving LGBTQ+ community on Massachusetts’ SouthCoast where individuals across the age spectrum can freely, safely, and joyously celebrate their true selves and realize their full potential.
About Battleship Cove
Battleship Cove is a non-profit war memorial and historic military museum with an emphasis on naval heritage and a dedication to honoring the veterans who served in defense of our country. The organization is a living exhibit platform with a strong educational emphasis and an outreach message. With a commitment to providing an exciting, adventurous, and meaningful visitor experience, Battleship Cove provides outstanding exhibits and educational content that is presented in a dynamic, innovative, and enlightening way.
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