SAN ANTONIO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EPIcenter, a San Antonio-based nonprofit energy innovation hub, just announced the fulfillment of its mission. EPIcenter, founded in 2015 by CPS Energy, Itron, Landis+Gyr and OCI Solar Power, grew to become a fully operational, innovation consulting startup that provided thought leadership programming, support to energy entrepreneurs, and other advisory services. After achieving its broad mission, EPIcenter announced its plan to donate its financial surplus of approximately $273,000 to the San Antonio Area Foundation (SAAFdn) and cease operations. Its legacy of customized client offerings and deep bench of consulting expertise lives on in former executives now of Britton Strategies.
Mission Accomplished
EPIcenter was envisioned by its founders as a hub for energy technology innovation; education and community engagement; and entrepreneurial incubation and ideation. During the nonprofit’s years of operation, it achieved this by successfully creating a think tank; energy incubator and accelerator; and virtual fabrication laboratory. In addition to delivering insightful, customized consulting services, EPIcenter’s hard-working leadership team also curated numerous conferences and summits on critical energy topics. Further, it served as a force for advancing energy innovation and thought leadership in South Texas and across the U.S. It diligently leveraged shared space, technology, collaboration, and teamwork. It operated a consistently lean and nimble business model that proved to be very effective.
EPIcenter launched an incremental consulting line of business, after seeing an opportunity to support allied and motivated utilities that had a desire to better collaborate and explore emerging technologies, new business models, and inspired creativity. All the programs were designed to help its clients vet and implement decisions more quickly. Through continued testing and iteration, EPIcenter’s Advisory Services offered a suite of products that included:
- Innovation management programs
- Regional convening to support the public utilities’ collaboration
- Support toward internal organizational transformation, and
- Customized engagements.
The Right Result
“A decision to dissolve an organization you built from scratch with the diligent oversight of an engaged board and the many contributions of incredible team of professionals is not an easy one. However, it was the right decision,” said former EPIcenter CEO Kimberly Britton. “I am tremendously proud that our team consistently and professionally helped our clients, who in turn enhanced the strategies and services provided to their customers. Further, we prudently managed our costs, met all of our financial obligations, and now our surplus funds will open doors for individuals across our community who are interested in energy careers.”
One option the Internal Revenue Service permits upon dissolving a nonprofit organization, is for the remaining assets to be given to another nonprofit entity for exempt purposes. The board unanimously approved management’s recommendation to fund the Smart Energy Scholarship at the San Antonio Area Foundation, with its ending financial surplus of approximately $273,000.
The scholarship funds are for students seeking careers in energy, as well as smart cities, environmental science, sustainability, and water. Its criteria for applicants include having and maintaining a 3.0 or higher grade-point average and enrollment at the University of Texas San Antonio, Texas A&M University San Antonio, Trinity University, St. Mary’s University, University of the Incarnate Word, or the Alamo Colleges. For more information on the scholarship, contact Jennifer Ballesteros, Executive Director, Scholarship and Relief Programs, Jballesteros@saafdn.org or 210-775-6295.
With the wind-down of EPIcenter nearing its final stage, Kimberly Britton has become the CEO of Britton Strategies, a boutique organizational and professional development consulting firm. She collaborates closely with her husband, Gary Britton, the organization’s President and Founder, for the benefit of their clients’ growth and success. As CEO of Britton Strategies, she leverages the firm’s depth of knowledge of public and nonprofit sectors, as well as the expertise she gained while leading EPIcenter and from other leadership roles held during her successful career. Additionally, a veteran professional and former EPIcenter executive, Jill Vassar, principal of JHV Consulting, is also a valued ally and strategic partner with Britton Strategies. Support from these professionals can be initially explored at learn.brittonstrategies.com or by emailing info@brittonstrategies.com.
Britton Strategies is a women-owned, organizational and professional development consulting firm located in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2019, by Kimberly and Gary Britton, Britton Strategies provides bespoke solutions to both public and private sector clients, which include: Strategy and Planning, High-stakes Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration, Organizational Diagnostics and Development, Executive Coaching. Connect with Britton Strategies at learn.brittonstrategies.com or email info@brittonstrategies.com.
The San Antonio Area Foundation (SAAFdn) has served as the city's most trusted and impactful philanthropic partner for 60 years, growing to become one of the top 20 community foundations in the nation. The Area Foundation strives to be our region’s most trusted and impactful philanthropic partner, working to close opportunity gaps for those who need it most. The Area Foundation manages approximately 600 charitable funds totaling $1.3 billion in assets and supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations – grantmaking reached nearly $50 million in 2023, including $9.5 million in college scholarships. Learn more at saafdn.org.
