Abstract
The Minnesota-based nonprofit organization Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) exists to deliver effective energy solutions to cold-climate states. Its primary mission is to make energy more affordable for residents and businesses, promote environmental equity, and lower carbon footprints. This project considers the social and political landscape in the United States and its impact on environmental nonprofits. Given the status of grants allocated for energy efficiency programs, while prioritizing the organization’s business development goals, Center for Energy and Environment must diversify its revenue streams. Primary and secondary research conducted for this project includes annual impact reports, social media and website analytics, and investigating the external environment surrounding the clean energy industry. In 2026, interviews with staff revealed CEE’s need for reliable revenue. Research confirmed the hypothesis that as an organization with ambitious growth goals, it is necessary for CEE to exceed previous years’ revenue each year going forward, or the growth goals will be at risk. CEE conducts a majority of its business in the state of Minnesota. Establishing reliable partnerships outside of Minnesota is an essential growth strategy attainable for the organization. Supported by Diffusion of Innovations theory and the Behavioral Public Relations model, this project’s strategic campaign “Hot Like Minnesota” calls for contractors and municipal energy departments across the Midwest to partner with CEE, emphasizing the ability to save money on energy. This campaign and findings support CEE as the region’s premier energy efficiency organization with unrivaled expertise, which will form beneficial partnerships and contracts.
Date of Award
5-3-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
Department
Mass Communication
First Advisor
Stacey Kanihan
Location
Winona, Minnesota; United States
Recommended Citation
Oldenberg, Abigail P., "Bring the Heat, Bring the Savings: Suppporting Strategic Growth for a Minnesota-based Energy Efficiency Nonprovit" (2026). Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects. 14.
https://openriver.winona.edu/strat-comm-thesis-projects/14
Unique Identifier
WSUMCOMSTRATCOMM-ETD-2026-Oldenberg
Rights
All rights reserved by the author.
