It has been a challenging 12 months, as COVID-19 has caused a tremendous loss. In the spirit of giving, communities, businesses and individual people are doing all they can to help their neighbors get through these times.

In this spirit, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, its managing contractor, broke its previous record for donations. Together, they pledged a record $616,000 to support local charities.

The Alliance began the campaign with a $20,000 donation to support nonprofits on the frontlines in the fight against COVID. The donation was divided among the Colorado COVID Relief Fund, Spark the Change Colorado and Feeding Colorado. The Alliance went on to donate another $30,000 to the Food Bank of the Rockies, Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists, and STEM Generation Inc.

These charities are located in Denver, Washington, DC, and Fairbanks, AK, which all house NREL offices.

NREL spokesperson Kaitlyn DuBose noted that there are more than 500 organizations that are receiving donations.

“NRELians support more than 500 charities with a variety of missions,” said DuBose. “Employees can contribute to any 501c3 charity cause they choose.”

“At a time when many companies are scaling back on their charitable commitments, NREL showed its commitment to the community and increased their contribution compared to the year before,” said Erin Atwell, CEO of Community Shares of Colorado, NREL’s longtime community-engagement partner.

Their giving isn’t limited to financial donations. Many NREL colleagues also give of themselves and their time, helping organizations with their efforts.

“NREL facilitates opportunities for employees to volunteer their time,” said DuBose. “For every hour volunteered by an NREL employee NREL’s management and operating contractor, the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, donates $10 to support the volunteer organization.”

“Since its inception, NREL staff have had an ongoing commitment to supporting our community through volunteer work, community projects and contributions to nonprofits throughout our community,” DuBose added.

NREL has been around for more than 40 years, beginning in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), when then-president Jimmy Carter announced his desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil and to invest in alternative energy sources. He created the SERI to launch a new American energy industry and consolidated oversight of US energy policy into the newly formed US Department of Energy.

DuBose noted that while early work at the newly formed research institute concentrated on solar technologies, the focus quickly broadened to include many forms of advanced energy, including wind and biomass. In 1991, then-president George H.W. Bush elevated SERI to a member of DOE’s national laboratory system and changed its name to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Even despite these difficult times, NREL’s team has come through for their communities.

“Despite the impact COVID has had on their personal lives, NRELians came through with record support for our community in 2020,” DuBose said. “Employee passion and commitment to causes that are essential for sustaining a healthy and thriving community are a powerful force at this challenging time.”

“We are so grateful for all the time and resources NRELians continue to put in to make the Annual Giving Campaign a success,” added Giving Campaign co-chair Dan Beckley, speaking for co-chairs Tom Foust and Chris Gearhart.