Three Local Non-Profits Win $1,000 in LEAP’s Non-Profit Challenge

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, Computers4Kids and WriterHouse Each Win $1,000 as Part of LEAP’s Home Energy Makeover Contest Non-Profit Challengemensclub24.ru

Charlottesville, VA – Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, Computers4Kids and WriterHouse were each awarded $1,000 as winner of the Non-Profit Challenge in LEAP’s Home Energy Makeover Contest. Each nonprofit was grouped by budget in the following categories: more than $500,000; $100,000-$500,000; and less than $100,000. Overall, 371 of the 1,102 contest entries included non-profits in the Non-Profit Challenge category; 64 different nonprofits were entered. The Non-Profit Challenge was co-sponsored by LEAP, the Center for Non-Profit Excellence, and an anonymous donor.

“We are thrilled to be able to support other non-profits in the Charlottesville region and thank all of those groups who participated in LEAP’s Non-Profit Challenge,” said Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of LEAP. “More people signed up to participate in this exciting home energy efficiency opportunity as a result of their outreach, and local non-profits won a cash prize to further their work. It was a win-win for our community.”

The Charlottesville Home Energy Makeover Contest was designed to help homeowners in Charlottesville and Albemarle County learn more about home energy efficiency and how they can save money and enhance the comfort and value of their homes.

The 10 finalists in the Home Energy Makeover Contest will be announced at Monticello Media’s Healthy Green Expo this Sunday, September 12 at the Omni. For more information please visit www.cvillesaves.org or www.leap-va.org.

In the coming weeks two winners will be selected from that groups of finalists to receive free home performance assessments and energy improvements worth up to $10,000, and the eight runner-ups will receive free home performance assessments worth up to $600.  A home performance assessment or “energy audit” includes diagnostic tests on the home’s energy efficiency, health and safety tests for leaks or backdrafting of gas appliances, and the identifiCation of areas in need of improvement in the home.  Energy improvements can include air and duct sealing, adding insulation, and upgrading heating and cooling systems.  All work will be conducted by local contractors who are pre-qualified to participate in LEAP’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

Major sponsors for the Makeover Contest included the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle,  C-ville Weekly, Dominion Virginia Power, Monticello Media, and NBC 29 News. Five entrants won random drawings throughout the contest sponsored by Blue Ridge EcoShop, Feast!, Mountain Lumber, Savvy Rest Organic Mattresses, and Whole Foods.