With the help of CETCAP partner Giraffe Financial, the Lighthouse Mission successfully filed and secured over $500,000 in tax credits for the nonprofit’s solar and battery storage project.
“I would encourage anyone to work with someone like L4GG, who really knows the ins and outs of Elective Pay. That makes [the process] so much simpler and more straightforward.” — Justin Reeves, chief operating officer
Project overview
The Lighthouse Mission is a nonprofit based in Bellingham that provides shelter services to the unhoused. In 2024, Lighthouse Mission began work on an enhanced shelter, providing a wide spectrum of care with the intention of providing the support needed to prevent homelessness.
The project included a solar and battery backup system (BESS), which offset 30% of previous energy costs and generated 104 megawatt hours of energy within its first year of operation.
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Outcomes and impact
Lighthouse Mission has redirected the credits earned on the project toward additional services and programming.
The nonprofit no longer needs to worry about power outages at the facility. Previously, the onsite kitchen had faced frequent power outages in the winter, an issue that was particularly challenging as the Lighthouse Mission provides over 600 meals a day to community members. The new building has also provided new employment opportunities, including an onsite coffee shop, and profits support community services.
Washington Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program (CETCAP)
In partnership with Lawyers for Good Government and Giraffe Financial, the Washington Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program (CETCAP) team has helped more than 150 organizations statewide secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax credits by providing legal and filing assistance for hundreds of projects.
