Partnering to Save You Money on Energy Costs

Global Generation Group

The following might seem strange in this time of social distancing due to Covid-19. But I would argue now is the BEST time, as this will provide some great opportunities for you, and begin a new start when everyone returns.  After reading this description, please contact us to schedule a walk-through as soon as possible.


Do-Gooder Consulting is excited to once again partner with Global Generation Group , a service provider / trade ally of Commonwealth Edison.  We are charged with implementing Com-Ed’s 2020 Small Business energy efficiency program (their definition of small business includes churches and nonprofits; this program is a different department than their residential energy efficiency program, which has been advertised in the media). Global Generation specializes in helping organizations finding no cost improvements to upgrade their facilities with energy efficient equipment.



The Com-Ed Energy Efficiency Program for Small Businesses is paid for by an energy charge on EVERYONE’s bill).  See the graphic to check your own bill to see these state-mandated charges. 


This special program (paid for by an energy charge on EVERYONE’s bill) gives no-cost upgrades that include:


   

1. LED replacements of fluorescent lights (for certain types, determined by Com-Ed after free energy assessment)

2. HVAC upgrade (installing an economizer & sensors to help HVAC units pull in less air – and use less energy—when fewer or no people are in an area. This is called Demand Control Ventilation - DCV) 

3. Occupancy sensors that turn off/on lights automatically (such as for a bathroom).

4. Weather stripping for outer doors.

 The qualifications are simple – you pay an electric bill every month, which is classified at “Retail/Commercial = 0 to 100KW), and you are a small business, church or nonprofit. You can easily see if you qualify by checking your bill.


 We at Do-Gooder Consulting would like to do a walk-through of your facility (which proper precautions -- we do NOT need to touch anything) with you  sometime in the next two weeks and help you get these no cost upgrades. 

We will be happy to provide references so you can see how this has worked for others. When contacting them, please mention that JP Paulus who worked with the Com-Ed Small Business Energy Effficiency program refered you.  
Some of these organizations include:

·         Bowen’s Pizza (Bronzeville  neighborhood of Chicago)

·         Ephphtha Church of the Deaf (Chatham neighborhood of Chicago)

·         Chatham Fields Lutheran Church (Chatham neighborhood of Chicago)

·         Carey Tercentenary AME Church (North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago)

·         La Villita Community Church (North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago)

·         Neighborhood United Methodist Church (Maywood, IL)

We look forward to hearing from you soon by e-mail at jp@do-gooder.us or by phone or text at 872-222-8008

Your student needs to fill out the FAFSA -- NOW!!!

We at Do-Gooder Consulting really want to implore anyone with a student going to college - whether high school senior, returning student, or an adult even thinking about going to college - to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) NOW! Don’t wait! 

Back in our day, the FAFSA was filled out by hand. The financial aid officer also had to calculate by hand, which made the process long and strenuous. Any revisions would be equally as long , so it was suggested that students wait until taxes were done before submitting the FAFSA. That allowed families to make copies of tax forms, and provide accurate information. Financial aid programs like the Illinois Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) grant were able to provide money up until classes actually began.

However, technology, especially through the web and computers, has completely changed the process - for the better.  Using www.FAFSA.gov families can quickly input (and change) information.  Most people send their taxes in online, whether by using an application at home such as Turbo Tax, or going to a professional such as H & R Block, or even most independent accountants.  That information can then be easily downloaded via the IRS Retrieval Tool. That one click often replaces the photocopies and mailings and calls to the financial aid office of the past.

The downside of the technology upgrades is that since it makes it easier to fill out applications for financial aid, more people know about the opportunities and are rushing to take advantage of it.  We talked about the shrinking MAP deadlines in the past. Even though the state of Illinois is having problems now with disbursing MAP funds for the current year, in order to possibly funds for the next school year (2016-2017), Illinois residents need to fill out the FAFSA within the next week.

We previously wrote about MAP deadlines, with 2015 running out by approximately Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14). Below is our projections for when MAP money will run out not just for the upcoming school year, but the school year following.

In looking at the graphic, you may have noticed that our projection for the end of MAP money is the middle of this November. That’s because of some major changes with the FAFSA for the next school year. Do-Gooder Consulting documented these changes in an earlier blog.

There are some good reasons for this change.  The earlier deadline, which now coincides with many college application deadlines. This allows students to make a timely decision to see if a college is a good fit not just academically but also financially. See our graphic below for details on the need to have both a completed FAFSA and a college application that is not just completed, but accepted by the college.

The main trouble will be for families who have returning students. They will think “Didn’t we just fill this out?”  And that feeling is justified, as it may have been 8 months or less when they filled out the FAFSA.  That is going to require a change in mindset. For years, Do-Gooder Consulting has advocated FAFSA completion sessions at the beginning of the year. We have worked with churches to do such a session following their service on the first Sunday of January.

Now, we encourage churches to hold such a session in October or if needed, November. Nonprofits can work with families with holding evening sessions, or also during the day if the families have Columbus Day or Veterans’ Day off.  It’s a huge shift in scheduling, and may conflict with other activities. But if going to - and graduating - college is a priority, then lifestyle changes need to be made.

So please, plan accordingly, so your student can get the best financial aid possible. If you are part of a church or nonprofit (or even business that wishes to maximize help for your employees, customers and their families), please contact us at Do-Gooder Consulting, and let’s see how we can work together for the best interest of students. We would be happy to help you organize a coalition of organizations to maximize resources and impact. Feel free to call or text Do-Gooder Consulting at 872-222-8008 or e-mail at  blog@do-gooder.us

MAP Grant runs out on Feb 27!

The Illinois MAP (Monetary Assistance Program) grant is cutting off applications on February 27. This grants is for Illinois students who go to college in Illinois (undergraduate degree).

The way to apply for the MAP grant is to fill out  the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The website for filling out the FAFSA online is www.FAFSA.gov

You can read articles from Do-Gooder consulting on the FAFSA by clicking here.

A finished FAFSA (and you can estimate last year's income based on previous tax forms and financial statements), and an accepted college application will allow the financial aid office to process your financial aid request, and factor in the MAP grant if appropriate.
The original press release from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission is here --> http://www.isac.org/e-library/partner-e-messages-and-newsletters/counselor-e-messages/eLibrary_Counselor_2014_0225.html

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is suspending the announcement of 2014-15 Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for all students whose initial 2014-15 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received by the Central Processing System (CPS) on or after Friday, February 28, 2014.

We are making you aware of the suspension of 2014-15 MAP awards to assist you as you counsel your college-bound seniors regarding financial assistance that may be available to them for the 2014-15 academic year.

High school seniors who plan to be enrolled in college for the 2014-15 academic year, but do not submit a FAFSA prior to February 28, should still be encouraged to do so as soon as possible at FAFSA on the Web. FAFSA results are used to determine eligibility for other forms of federal and state financial assistance. The suspension of 2014-15 MAP award announcements does not impact any other financial aid programs.

In addition, encourage your college-bound students (and their families) to visit the Students & Parents area at isac.org for information regarding the financial aid process.
You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through one or more subscription groups for Counselors.

If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please contact ISAC's School Services Department by calling toll free at 866.247.2172 or sending an e-mail message to isac.schoolservices@isac.illinois.gov

Please fill out the FAFSA right NOW!

Illinois College Access Network meeting = November 14, 2012

The Illinois College Access Network will hold its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 on the campus of Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, on the second floor, in downtown Chicago.

It is a free meeting. More important than the fabulous free breakfast that they provide, this is a great opportunity for networking as well as learning about issues and solutions in regards to the access of college for our students.

For more information or to RSVP, contact the Illinois College Access Network via e-mail at

illinoiscollegeaccessnetwork@gmail.com

or traditional mail at

Illinois College Access Network
PO Box 778
Chicago, IL 60690

This meeting will focus on topic of “Is College Really Worth It? If Yes, Is it
Affordable?” and use small group discussion to facilitate participation among the attendees, and to help everyone learn from each other.

Do-Gooder President JP Paulus will be in attendance, would love to join other attendees for lunch afterward.