About Us |
In the late 1970’s, leaders in several communities became concerned with the effect that rising energy costs was having on low-income people. They began looking for ways to help people keep warm and stay cool. As a result, private sector fuel funds sprung up across the United States.
By 1983, more than 70 fuel funds had been established. In 1984, a steering committee formed the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) and began holding annual conferences.
Then NFFN’s first chairperson, the late Sister Pat Kelley, saw the need for NFFN to enable utility and human service organizations to partner effectively and heighten awareness of the energy poverty problem at the national level. In 1987, her work culminated in the incorporation of the NFFN as, a 501(c ) (3 ) non profit organization.
Since 1992, the Network has maintained an office in the Nation’s Capital, grown its membership, enhanced its programs and become a recognized authority on energy assistance.
In the 21st century NFFN is an organization that builds the capacity of member programs to raise and distribute some $100 million in utility assistance annually. The Network also promotes charitable energy assistance through the media and lobbies for increased federal energy assistance in the halls of Congress and at the grassroots level. NFFN is a diverse, collaborative organization whose 300+ members include nonprofit and government agencies and utilities across the US and in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Serves and represents
Over 300 organizational members from small energy banks to large utility programs to increase energy assistance available, especially charitable energy assistance.
Conducts
A unique Annual Conference to provide continuing education and training for fuel fund professionals and define policy issues.
Regional conferences and training events from time to time.
Publishes
Energy Safety Net Bulletin to report on and spur innovations in meeting the increased demand for energy assistance due to higher fuel prices and the economic downturn.
National Energy Assistance Report, the quarterly of record on charitable energy assistance.
Energy Safety Net Tool Kit to reassess energy assistance issues, suggest new approaches and promote charitable energy assistance in a recession.
Action Alerts to rally nonprofit members support of LIHEAP.
A series of technical assistance materials, policy studies and fact sheets.
Maintains
This website full of information on charitable energy assistance, the only national repository of fuel fund publications, advertisements and fundraising materials and techniques.
Promotes
The Mobilization for Charitable Energy Assistance, a national campaign to encourage governors to increase awareness of and spur fundraising for charitable energy assistance.
Provides
Consulting services to companies and community-based organizations wishing to start, revamp or reinvigorate fuel funds.
Policy analysis and Washington representation for grassroots members unable to afford their own representative in the Nation’s Capital.
Advocates
For increased LIHEAP funding .
NFFN sponsors Washington Action Day for LIHEAP, annually, and engages grassroots legislative support for LIHEAP year around.
To govern NFFN, members elect a Board of Directors representing utility companies, community-based organizations and local, state and Tribal energy assistance programs.