About Energize Wind River
Who We Are
Energize Wind River is committed to providing sustainable energy solutions and empowering tribal communities. Our focus on solar installation and electrification programs is rooted in community engagement and collaboration. Through our efforts, we aim to ensure that every household in the Wind River Reservation has access to reliable electricity.
Join Our Mission
Be part of the change on the Wind River Reservation. Your support can help us electrify homes, educate the community, and create sustainable futures for generations to come.
Funding History
$1M
March 2024
Tribal Electrification Program (Planning Award)
$7.4M
September 2024
Tribal Electrification Program (Implementation Award)
$45K
January 2025
Wells Fargo and Enterprise Community Partners
(Invest Native Award)
$20K
September 2025
The Nature Conservancy (Catalyst Award)
$2M
November 2025
Tribal Electrification Program
(Construction Award)
$20K
January 2026
The Nature Conservancy (Infrastructure Award)
$500K
March 2026
Indigenous Power
& Light Fund
$10K
June 2026
Wyoming Community Foundation
Funding Needs
Electrification
Complete solar system (1)............................................................................................................................................................................$45,000
(includes panels, batteries, inverter, & emergency generator)
Double a house’s battery capacity............................................................................................................................................................................................................$7,000
Emergency generator.........................................................................................................................................................................................................$6,000
Propane tank & installation......................................................................................................................................................................................................$1,000
Environmentally friendly ballast install.........................................................................................................................................................$3,300
Permanent cement ballast install..................................................................................................................................................................$1,200
Weatherization
Weatherization test kit (1)..…………………..……....................………...…......................................................................................…….....$8,000
Insulate an attic...............................................................................................................................................................................................$2,000
Insulate a crawl space.....................................................................................................................................................................................$1,000
Doors & windows (each)....................................................................................................................................................................................$500
Coat/seal a trailer roof.......................................................................................................................................................................................$100
Door repair & sealing............................................................................................................................................................................................$50
General air sealing................................................................................................................................................................................................$50
Water heater blanket............................................................................................................................................................................................$50
LED bulbs for a house..........................................................................................................................................................................................$30
Program
A permanent (owned, not rented) large industrial/storage building…………................................................................................……..$40,000
Work van for team transport & equipment transport.................................................................................................................................$40,000
Non-governmental fundraising coordinator...................................................................................................................................$25,000 annual
Gift cards for monthly employee recognitions...................................................................................................................................................$20
Gas cards (any amount helps)...........................................................................................................................................................................$any
Organizational Status and Legal Framework
Energize Wind River (EWR) operates under a Public Law 93‑638 contract, commonly referred to as a “638 contract” or self‑determination contract. Enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1975, the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) enables tribes to assume control of federally administered programs that serve their communities. EWR was created through the Tribal Electrification Program under this framework.
Implications for Charitable Giving
EWR is not organized as a nonprofit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, some foundations and charitable entities that are restricted to making grants solely to 501(c)(3) organizations may face limitations in making direct grants to EWR. To address this constraint, EWR has identified two mechanisms through which charitable funds may be provided in a compliant manner to support EWR’s programs and activities.
Option A—Fiscal Sponsor / Nonprofit Intermediary
A nonprofit organization recognized as a 501(c)(3) may agree to receive grant funds on behalf of EWR and disburse those funds to EWR pursuant to a written agreement. EWR has successfully utilized this structure for prior grants, with the Jackson Hole Institute serving as the nonprofit intermediary.
Option B—Tribal Government Channel
Grants may be made to the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, which receives the funds using its own federal tax identification number (EIN) and allocates the funds to EWR. Because the Eastern Shoshone Tribe is a federally recognized Tribal government, contributions made for public purposes qualify as tax-deductible charitable contributions under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Where are we going next?
EWR has partnered with LEMA Indigenous to supply and deliver solar systems for unelectrified homes on the Wind River Reservation. Our team of trained installers began installations in early 2026. We are accepting applications from residents seeking our services at this time. Households with the greatest needs—low-income, elders, children under 3, high occupancy numbers, veterans and/or disability—will be prioritized.
Each residential solar system is coupled with battery storage and an emergency generator in order to ensure reliable power meeting essential needs such as heating during harsh winters, refrigerating medicine, life-sustaining medical devices, and more. This built-in redundancy provides a truly reliable and resilient power system during periods of low solar generation and/or battery storage depletion.
