Ygrene Announces New Department of Social Impact to Enhance Community Partnerships and Social Responsibility Efforts
Byron DeLear, Vice President Of Social Impact, Presented Public-Benefit Findings And Social Impact Goals At The NAACP Civil Rights Mini-Conference St. Louis, Missouri
PETALUMA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ygrene, one of the nation’s leading property improvement financing providers, today announced a new Social Impact initiative to enhance community partnerships and social responsibility efforts. Ygrene’s Social Impact Department will concentrate efforts on building and maintaining a robust coalition of partners made up of environmental, equity, consumer advocacy, and other local, state, and national groups to promote ethical and environmentally sound policy for the more than 550 communities Ygrene currently serves.
Byron DeLear will lead the effort as Vice President of Social Impact. DeLear led the company’s Midwest operations for several years and the firm’s nationally recognized equity and inclusion efforts, including training and expansion of economic opportunities for minority and woman-owned contractor companies, which are being replicated nationwide, since 2017.
“Sustainability and purpose-driven social impacts have always been at the core of Ygrene’s mission. Advancing economic opportunities for the most people possible through minority contractor training and helping to provide financing solutions for homeowners in need have been some of my most rewarding professional experiences,” said DeLear. “Equity and inclusion and expanding the number of coalition stakeholders to broaden impacts will be central to this role, and I’m excited to be leading this effort.”
“Through over 100,000 property improvement projects to date, Ygrene has provided $2.7 billion in funding for energy-efficient, renewable energy, water conservation, and natural disaster protection upgrades in more than 550 communities nationwide, including those that traditional property improvement financing options have left behind. These projects not only help property owners upgrade their properties and save money, they also help create healthier and more sustainable communities by eliminating 2.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions, installing over 100 megawatts of solar, and creating over 50,000 jobs,” said Jim Reinhart, Ygrene CEO. “Expanding these critical public benefits through our Social Impact Department is crucial for Ygrene’s mission to improve people’s lives and the communities we serve.”
DeLear announced the creation of Ygrene’s Social Impact Department at the NAACP Civil Rights Mini-Conference in St. Louis, Missouri on February 19th, and spoke about Ygrene’s efforts to bridge the environmental benefits gap for underserved households and communities.
“Ygrene is the most equitable home improvement financing solution available and has long been a leader in prioritizing accessibility and affordability for all communities – especially those that are underserved and often overlooked by traditional lending options,” said Adolphus Pruitt, NAACP St. Louis Chapter President. “We are staunch supporters of Ygrene and their commitment to the communities they serve. We look forward to partnering with the Department of Social Impact to continue doing great work in St. Louis and beyond.”
About Ygrene
Ygrene’s award-winning property improvement financing, with built-in consumer protections, is delivering greater choice for home and business owners by providing access to affordable financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, storm protection, and seismic upgrades. In addition, Ygrene financing has proven to be a successful tool for supporting public policy initiatives – at no cost to local government. By providing over $2.5 billion of private capital to more than 550 local communities, Ygrene has created tens of thousands of jobs and invested millions into local economies across the U.S. Learn more at ygrene.com.
Contacts
Media:
Kelley Perez
kelley.perez@ygrene.com
