Salish School Awarded Large Clean Energy Grant from Avista
Press Release | Salish School of Spokane (SSOS)
Date: April 22, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Spokane, WA — Salish School of Spokane (SSOS) and Avista today announced a $724,000 award from Avista’s Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF) to support clean energy infrastructure at SSOS’s new campus in Spokane. The funding will support the design and installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage for both an education building and a Cultural and Recreational Community Center.
These solar electric systems will help prevent interruption of operations during power outages while advancing the school’s commitment to environmental responsibility and energy independence. The systems will strengthen long-term energy resilience and lower operating costs, allowing for increased services for students, staff, and the broader community.
“This investment represents a meaningful partnership grounded in shared values,” said Kim Richards, Ph.D., Co-Executive Director of the Salish School of Spokane. “By integrating solar power and battery storage into our new campus, we are building a facility that supports educational excellence, cultural continuity, and long-term resilience for our students and families.”
“This is exactly the kind of partnership we hope for with our clean energy grant program,” said Kristine Meyer, Avista Named Communities Investment Fundprogram manager. “Salish School of Spokane brings the vision for a campus that strengthens language, culture, and community. Avista brings our energy expertise and grant resources to help make that vision a reality through clean, resilient energy.”
Salish School of Spokane is developing a new campus designed to expand Indigenous language education, community programming, and cultural learning while incorporating sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The clean energy systems supported by this award will play a central role in ensuring the campus can serve as a dependable community resource well into the future. Learn more at https://www.salishschoolofspokane.org/new-campus-project
The Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF) is a competitive grant program established by Avista to help meet the equity requirements of Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). It provides funding support to projects that strengthen energy security, increase renewable energy access, and more, for Washington electric customers in Named Communities, such as Tribal nations, low‑income communities, communities of color, rural communities, and frontline areas, which often experience greater impacts from environmental and economic challenges.
About Salish School of Spokane
The mission of Salish School of Spokane (SSOS) is: Dynamic Salish Language Revitalization, powering cultural renewal and building a stronger, healthier community. SSOS is working to revitalize our four Southern Interior Salish languages, provide Salish immersion schooling for children, and teach Salish language and culture to parents and community members. We do this through education rooted in community, relationship, and responsibility. SSOS serves students and families while supporting broader efforts in language fluency, cultural continuity, and community well-being. Learn more at www.salishschoolofspokane.org/
About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 424,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.myavista.com.
The Avista logo is a trademark of Avista Corporation.
Contact: Jim Dawson, Salish School of Spokane, 360-292-8540, jim@salishschoolofspokane.org
Avista Contact: Ariana Lake, Avista Sr. Communications Manager, 509-279-3308, ariana.lake@avistacorp.com
Jim Dawson, Capital Campaign Director Sƛ̓x̌atkʷ N̓səlxcin Sn̓mam̓áy̓aʔtn
Salish School of Spokane
PO Box 10271
Spokane, WA 99209
Phone: 360-292-8540