Seattle — Today, the Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) announced $4.68 million in 2025 Building Decarbonization Grants to 17 awardees. The grants will pay for design and/or retrofits that will reduce climate pollution and help the buildings reach the upcoming emissions targets of the Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS).
“Buildings are one of the largest sources of climate pollution in Seattle, and this year’s Building Decarbonization Grants are our latest effort to tackle the problem and reduce emissions,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Before I signed BEPS into law, I promised the community that the City would be there to support building owners in the work of decarbonization. Today, we’re making good on that promise with $4.68 million in investments that will bring us closer to meeting our ambitious climate goals.”
The 2025 recipients are in six council districts and include subsidized, affordable housing, residential condominium, childcare, houses of worship, schools, and more.
Grantees and Project Details (in alphabetical order)
- Bellwether Housing ($668,172): Retrofit of boilers and hot water heating systems in two buildings with heat pumps.
- Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church ($358,500): Replacement of gas furnace with energy-efficient heat pumps.
- The Caroline Kline Galland Home ($146,595): Engineering design for decarbonization of multiple building systems.
- Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CDCPDA) ($75,000.00): Design and analysis for future retrofit of the building’s aging HVAC system.
- Community Roots Housing ($1,149,500): Installation of heat pumps and electric stoves to eliminate gas usage.
- Hope Lutheran Church ($37,450): Engineering design to eliminate gas use in space and water heating.
- La Paz Apartments ($824,250): Engineering and retrofit of HVAC system and kitchen ranges.
- Monique Lofts Condominiums ($96,018): Engineering design for electrical upgrades necessary to decarbonize building.
- The Northwest School ($31,162): Engineering design for decarbonizing two school buildings.
- Olympus Manor Cooperative Apartments ($20,000): Engineering design to retrofit building with heat pump hot water heaters.
- Plymouth Housing ($22,598): Engineering design to determine upgrades necessary to comply with BEPS.
- Presbyterian Retirement Communities Northwest ($40,000): Design and feasibility planning for central boiler plant decarbonization.
- The Seattle Art Museum ($44,475): Electrification Feasibility Study to reduce reliance on carbon-intensive district steam.
- Seattle Children’s Hospital d/b/a Seattle Children’s Research Institute ($22,750): Analysis of facility’s decarbonization needs.
- Small Faces Child Development Center ($350,000): Design, retrofit, and replacement of the building’s aging natural gas steam heat system with heat pumps.
- Southeast Effective Development (SEED) ($684,000): Retrofit of existing natural gas boilers with efficient heat pumps.
- University Lutheran Church ($107,125): Engineering design for replacement of gas-fired equipment with heat pumps.
Mayor Harrell announced the new awardees at Brighton Communities, an apartment community for low-income seniors in South Seattle. Brighton was a 2024 awardee and is soon to complete the first “pilot” apartment retrofit to remove fossil fuel heat, hot water, and cooking equipment and install clean energy replacements.
“The 2024 decarbonization grant from the City is the foundation of our plan to transform Brighton into a national model of urban renewal as part of a smart neighborhood,” said Curtis Brown, Executive Director of Brighton Communities. “We want to show that such technology should be for all people. This grant started the process and has opened other doors already.”
The $4.68 million grant awards are administered by OSE’s Seattle Building Emissions Navigator, and build off the success of the 2024 pilot grants. The Navigator also offers a free technical support program for owners and managers of buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to help them comply with BEPS. The Mayor’s proposed budget includes funding for the Navigator to award grants again in 2026.
“Buildings and all the components required to run them — from heating and hot water, to cooktops and appliances — are responsible for 40% of Seattle’s emissions. BEPS is helping building owners reduce pollution through emissions reduction targets and curated support,” said Michelle Caulfield, Interim Director of OSE. “Under BEPS, Seattle’s largest buildings will achieve net-zero emissions as early as 2041 for a healthier, safer, and more climate resilient city. Our team is looking forward to supporting this new cohort of grantees on their emissions reduction journey.”
BEPS is projected to reduce building emissions across Seattle by 27%, making it one of the most impactful climate actions the City is taking. OSE has been supporting engineering analyses and case studies to help building owners understand their own individual pathway to decarbonization, such as for the 5th and Madison Condos. The City is also leading the way by upgrading over 175 City-owned facilities to clean electricity. Our Municipal Buildings Decarbonization Plan outlines how our buildings will be emissions free by 2045. See the Green Lake Library case study to learn more how we are improving public facing to eliminate emissions and to improve efficiency and resilience.
What Grantees & City Partners Are Saying:
Dawn Lindell, CEO & General Manager, Seattle City Light
“Seattle City Light is committed to helping our customers make sustainable choices today to ensure a healthier planet and a stronger future for generations to come. The 2025 Seattle Building Decarbonization Grants support our customers in advancing their climate pollution reduction journeys, helping them to meet future emissions reduction targets through building upgrades and engineering support. We value our continued partnership with the Office of Sustainability and Environment and look forward to supporting the grant recipients as they decarbonize their buildings.”
Steve Killian, HOA President, Monique Lofts Condominiums
“Receiving this design grant from the City enables our small, 24-home homeowners’ association (HOA) at Monique Lofts to engage engineering experts for design work we could not otherwise afford. It helps lay the groundwork for a phased path to decarbonize our 1913 building, while helping position us to be able to pursue future emissions-reduction opportunities.”
Neo Mazur, Director of Environmental Education & Sustainability, The Northwest School
“The Northwest School has been committed to environmental sustainability since its founding in 1980. This grant will enable Northwest to further this longstanding commitment by helping identify all systems contributing to emissions and develop a prioritized roadmap for replacing building systems for greatest impact as we work towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral.”
Delores Kannas, Board of Directors Secretary and Clean Energy Project Manager, Hope Lutheran Church and School
“Hope Lutheran Church and School (HLCS) is grateful and excited to have been awarded a 2025 Building Decarbonization Grant to evaluate our aging buildings to identify the specific mechanical, electrical, and structural upgrades needed to replace our existing fossil-fuel dependent equipment. The HLCS Project will provide a customized roadmap for our future retrofit implementation project. This roadmap will ensure future investments are optimized to succeed with a high degree of certainty and result in reliable outcomes that achieve efficient and effective emissions reductions that will improve the health of our church members, school children, and the community we serve.”
Glenn Greenwood, Vice President of the Cooperative Association, Olympus Manor Cooperative
“The membership of the Olympus Manor Cooperative association is so grateful for OSE’s 2025 Seattle Building Decarbonization Grant Program, as we are committed to restoring and updating our classic, and beautiful building in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood for a greener future. The Seattle Building Decarbonization Grant will go a long way to help us continue that work, and will allow us to update the electrical infrastructure to robust contemporary standards, all the while allowing us to reduce our carbon emissions through efficient electrical systems, appliances, electric vehicle hookups, and solar voltaic panels in the near future.”
Johnny Otto, Executive Director, Small Faces Child Development Center
“This award from the 2025 Seattle Building Decarbonization Grant program will provide key funding for an ambitious project to replace our aging natural gas boiler with reliable, efficient electric heating and cooling systems. Reliable climate controls are essential for the operation of Crown Hill Center, a 106-year-old building serving the Crown Hill Community, home to a large childcare center and preschool, plus local arts organizations, and community meetings and events.”
Shaude’ Moore, CEO, McKinney Center for Community and Economic Development
“This Building Decarbonization Grant is transformative for the McKinney Center, enabling us to lead by example in sustainable building practices while ensuring our community hub remains cost-effective and environmentally responsible for generations to come. As stewards of this historic Central District landmark, this support from OSE empowers the Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CDCPDA) to make strategic investments in energy efficiency that will reduce both our carbon footprint and operational costs, ultimately allowing us to direct more resources toward our core mission of community economic development.”
Susan Boyd, CEO, Bellwether Housing (Eagles Auditorium Apartments & Tate Mason House)
“Bellwether is proud to partner with the City of Seattle’s Office of Environment & Sustainability to decarbonize Tate Mason House. This senior affordable housing community, located in the heart of Seattle, has been awarded funding for engineering design work that will convert the property’s water heating system to an all-electric system. Bellwether is also excited to advance decarbonization efforts at the Eagles to modernize the buildings infrastructure, significantly improve energy efficiency, and extend the life of an historic Seattle property. These are positive steps toward preserving Seattle’s history, investing in long-term housing stability and creating a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Jessica Matheson, Grants Director, Plymouth Housing
“This grant from the City of Seattle strengthens our ability to plan smart, sustainable upgrades at Toft Terrace. With expert support, we’ll ensure our energy systems are accurately assessed and improved in ways that reduce our carbon footprint, align with the City’s Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) and Washington State’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS), and support our mission of providing permanent supportive housing that keeps 95% of residents stably housed for good.”
Seth Lundgaard, Director of Asset & Property Management, SouthEast Effective Development
“This grant will make it possible for SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) to modernize the hot water system for the Dakota which is comprised of 178 low-income family sized apartments and five commercial tenants. This modernization will ensure reliable service for low-income families for years to come, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing Seattle’s climate goals. This investment in a major capital improvement strengthens our ability to provide safe, affordable housing in one of the city’s most diverse and economically challenged neighborhoods.”
Valerie Orlosky, Owner, La Paz Apartments
“The process of decarbonizing our building would have been cost-prohibitive without this grant. As a small-time landlord, these funds enable us to continue maintaining this century-old building, ensuring it continues to provide affordable housing and support small businesses. We are pleased to transition the building to be a part of Seattle’s green-friendly future.”
Adriene Iverson, Senior Vice President, One Customer
“Our grant from the Seattle Building Decarbonization Grant Program is instrumental in enabling Parkshore, a non-profit senior living Community, build a decarbonization roadmap. As an older building, these funds go a long way to support the work of creating a net zero future, which is not just about meeting regulatory requirements but also about positively impacting the wellbeing of residents and team members.”
Rev. Karen Yokota Love, Senior Pastor, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church
“This grant will allow Blaine to continue its 120-year legacy of being good stewards of the environment through the acquisition and installation of heat pumps and mission of partnering with ethnically diverse and marginalized communities.”
Rev. Andy Flatt-Kuntze, Lead Pastor, University Lutheran Church
“On behalf of University Lutheran Church, we are deeply grateful to the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment for this generous Building Decarbonization Grant. This award strengthens our commitment to environmental stewardship and supports our mission to care for creation through sustainable and equitable action.”
Jay McNally, Manager, Research Facilities, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
“Seattle Children’s Research Institute is appreciative of the City’s assistance in meeting decarbonization goals. We will use this grant to assess existing systems in the Jack R. MacDonald Building to identify targeted changes that will reduce natural gas consumption.”
Scott Stulen, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director & CEO, Seattle Art Museum
“Support from the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment is instrumental in advancing SAM’s goals for lowering emissions and decarbonization. In conducting this grant project, we will be able to better serve our visitors, welcoming more people into our spaces while ensuring the museum’s facilities are stable, cost‑effective, and environmentally responsible.”
Jeffrey D. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Kline Galland
Kline Galland is pleased to be a recipient of the OSE’s 2025 Seattle Building Decarbonization Grant program. Receiving this grant allows Kline Galland to further invest in our facilities, ensuring we can continue providing excellent senior care for our community, for now and the generations to come.”
Rachel D’Alio, Grants and Philanthropy Manager, Community Roots Housing
“This award from the Office of Sustainability and Environment makes it possible for Community Roots to launch decarbonization work at the Oleta, a historic 115-year-old property that houses 35 low-income households in Seattle. For our residents, this investment means healthier, more energy-efficient homes for decades to come.”