SECA Funding

Recently, false information about Accelerate Climate Solutions’ (ACS) eligibility to receive Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) grants from the City of Naperville has been posted on social media accounts. Unfortunately, because we focus on decarbonization, even as a small nonprofit, we have been targeted with attacks. Addressing these false claims, we will explain what a SECA grant is and isn’t, how ACS used SECA grant funding in 2025, and why ACS is eligible as a 501(c)3 to receive funding.

About SECA Grants: Eligibility and Requirements

SECA provides grant funds utilizing a portion of the 1% Food and Beverage Tax as approved by the City Council in 2004. The grants are available for special events for organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Be a tax-exempt nonprofit in good standing with a 501(c) designation.

• Disclose whether any Director, Board Member, or employee of the applicant has a family interest, employment interest, or ownership interest in the applicant’s use of the SECA Grant Fund Program funds being requested.

• Attend a grant fund workshop.

Key additional limitations and requirements are placed on the use of SECA funds such as:

• Funds cannot be used for operating and administrative expenses.  

• Funds must be used within the fund cycle for which they were granted.

• Funds are provided only after reimbursement requests and receipts are submitted.

• Events/Projects must occur within the boundaries of the incorporated City of Naperville.

SECA grant proposals are reviewed by the SECA Commission, which makes recommendations to the Naperville City Council on which projects are funded at what level. The City Council then votes on these recommendations. The SECA Commission is comprised of community members appointed by the mayor, and the City Council liaison to the SECA Commission is a nonvoting member.

In sum, a SECA grant provides funds for a specific special event, not for an organization’s general operating expenses. Multiple accountability safeguards are in place to ensure that funds are spent appropriately and within SECA guidelines.

Our Grant Project - Building Leadership Around Sustainable Transformation (BLAST) Ceremony

BLAST 2025 Group Project Participants with Executive Director Catherine Clarkin

For our BLAST Ceremony, the SECA Commission recommended an allocation of $2,400, which was approved by City Council in January 2025. Additional costs of the event were paid by sponsors and donors.  

The BLAST Ceremony took place on April 10, 2025, at DuPage Children’s Museum in front of an audience of over 100 students and community members. The program served 40 local high school students. The SECA money was allocated to the BLAST Competition prize money, which was awarded at the ceremony. The prize money funded several projects, including a device that generates electricity from algae and a program to rescue leftover food from restaurants. Details on all the participants and their projects can be found on our website.

BLAST 2026 Microbial Fuel Cell Team

Per grant requirements, ACS was reimbursed after the event, allowing SECA and

City of Naperville officials to verify that the funds were spent as specified in the grant. We also provided the City with a final report and budget summary.

ACS Eligibility to Receive SECA Funding

ACS is eligible to apply for SECA grants for our events. When we apply for SECA funds, we do not include any items outside SECA limitations; for example, we do not request any funds for general operating expenses, salaries, and the like. Our grant proposals relate specifically to the events for which we are seeking funding. No ACS board member or employee receives financial benefit from SECA funding.

Our board members do not receive any compensation for sitting on our board. Public servants who are ACS board members follow ethical guidance for the office they hold, and, if required, will recuse themselves should any issue related to Accelerate Climate Solutions come before them.

Individuals involved in 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations enjoy the right to free speech. Any board member, staff member, volunteer, or supporter of ACS who advocates for legislation, a policy, or a candidate does not sacrifice their First Amendment rights because they are involved in a 501(c)3. There is a distinction between what we do as individuals and what we do as an organization.

ACS’s membership in the Say No To Coal Alliance also does not disqualify us from receiving SECA grant funding. Nonprofits are legally allowed to advocate for policies within limitations: our participation in the Alliance does not utilize donor or grant money, and supporting a transition from coal to clean energy aligns directly with our mission.

Conclusion

As the ACS board of directors, we are proud of the work that our organization does to create a more sustainable community and build the next generation of climate and environmental leaders. We are looking forward to serving the community in 2026 with a Sports Equipment Swap in partnership with the Naperville Park District, the 3rd Annual BLAST Competition, and a Fix-It Fair in August, where residents can bring their broken or damaged items to be mended. To learn more about our programs, please explore our website at accelerateclimatesolutions.org and follow us on social media.