SEF Announces New Program-Related Investment from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation
At SustainEnergyFinance (SEF), we’re constantly looking for ways to help Utah families, builders, and communities access sustainable home upgrades and energy solutions. One of the biggest challenges we face isn’t demand—it’s capacity. Even with $16 million in committed capital for home retrofit and sustainable multifamily projects, our operational resources have limited how quickly we can deploy that funding.
We’re thrilled to announce a two year, $250,000 program-related investment (PRI) from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, whose support provides essential operational capacity to help SEF unlock our capital and scale statewide. This innovative funding model gives us the ability to grow our team, expand lending infrastructure, and deploy existing capital faster—while generating revenue that will ultimately allow us to repay the investment and establish a long-term, self-sustaining organization.
“This partnership reflects our belief that strong local leaders and organizations—when equipped with the right tools and flexible capital—can transform communities. SEF is poised to deploy millions in sustainable housing and energy projects, and we’re proud to help build the operational foundation needed to make that growth possible.” – Stewart Hudson, Executive Director at the Leon Lowenstein Foundation.
This partnership is exciting not just because it provides critical operational support, but because it represents a new approach to funding for mission-driven lenders. As traditional grant funding becomes harder to secure, repayable gap financing is an innovative tool that allows organizations like ours to scale responsibly, make the most of committed capital, and maximize impact in underserved communities.
“We’re profoundly grateful to the Lowenstein Foundation for this PRI. The Lowenstein’s partnership—with heartfelt thanks to Stewart Hudson—underscores our shared commitment to expanding equitable access to energy-efficient, affordable housing and clean energy solutions across Utah,” says Shawna Cuan, CEO of SustainEnergyFinance.
With the Lowenstein Foundation’s support, we are positioned to significantly increase the number of families and communities benefiting from energy efficient housing and clean energy projects, strengthen our team, and attract additional capital to continue our mission. This is a major step forward in establishing ourselves as a self-sustaining community lender for Utah’s underserved communities, and we’re excited to see the impact it will create in the months and years ahead.
About SustainEnergyFinance
SustainEnergyFinance (SEF) is a nonprofit green bank headquartered in Utah, dedicated to creating equitable access to clean energy and resilient housing finance. SEF works with public, private, and philanthropic partners to catalyze projects that deliver measurable environmental and social impact.
Learn more about our work and upcoming projects at sustainenergyfinance.org
About the Leon Lowenstein Foundation
The Leon Lowenstein Foundation is a family foundation that supports organizations working on projects that are measurable, innovative, scalable, and transformational. Founded in 1941 in New York, New York, the Leon Lowenstein Foundation funds and supports projects nationwide. The Foundation’s program areas include education, health, and the environment.
Learn more at lowensteinfdn.org