Submitted by the San Juan Community Home Trust
The San Juan Community Home Trust is proud to announce it has been awarded a $108,393 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to install rooftop solar systems on permanently affordable homes in its HolliWalk neighborhood.
This funding will help lower utility costs for HolliWalk residents, reduce the community’s carbon footprint, and advance energy independence for local families. Because the grant is reimbursement-based, the Home Trust must first raise and spend these funds before receiving reimbursement—meaning every donation has double the impact: first, by helping get solar installed, and second, by allowing the reimbursed funds to be reinvested into future affordable housing projects. Strong community support is essential to bring this vision to life.
The Home Trust is partnering with Swiftwater Electric and Solar, a local San Juan Island contractor, to design and install the solar systems. Working with an experienced local installer ensures the project supports the island economy and provides high-quality, reliable renewable energy for homeowners.
“Adding solar power to our HolliWalk homes is an investment in both economic and environmental sustainability,” said Amanda Lynn, Executive Director of the San Juan Community Home Trust. “We’re honored that the Department of Commerce believes in our vision, and we now need our community to help us bring this project to life.”
To meet this upfront fundraising need, the Home Trust is excited to announce a $5,000 matching gift opportunity. A generous donor has pledged to contribute $5,000 if at least 50 individuals each give $100 or more. Every gift will help cover installation costs and secure reimbursement from the grant, multiplying the impact of each donation.
How You Can Help:
Make a contribution of $100 or more to help reach the 50-donor goal and unlock the $5,000 match.
Share this opportunity with friends and neighbors who care about clean energy and affordable housing.
Donations will directly support the installation of solar panels at HolliWalk, lowering monthly expenses for homeowners, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating a model for sustainable affordable housing on San Juan Island.
To donate or learn more about the San Juan Community Home Trust’s solar initiative in HolliWalk, please visit https://givebutter.com/holliwalksolar
Thank you to everyone who has already donated to this project!
The HolliWalk Solar project is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
