Mecklenburg County Energy Assistance
“Zaja PR served as our boots on the ground, consistently showing up at community events and through door-to-door outreach with professionalism and purpose. Their reliability and strong community presence made them a valuable partner.”
Context
LIEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible residents with $300, $400 or $500 towards their heating bills. Annually, Mecklenburg County receives LIEAP funding to distribute to eligible residents. Mecklenburg County’s Energy Assistance Programs, part of the Department of Community Resources, sought clearer communication and additional capacity to target and reach eligible residents to understand program requirements, application steps and timelines for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).
Our Approach
Zaja PR partnered with the Mecklenburg County Energy Assistance Programs team to strengthen public awareness and engagement for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). We refined messaging for in‑person outreach and supported the County’s communications efforts by ensuring information was clear, accessible and easy for residents to act on. As part of a strategic outreach plan, the firm identified the neighborhoods, communities, and events where engagement would be most effective. This included canvassing 28 residential communities and reaching more than 2,100 households through door‑to‑door outreach.
The team also attended six community events, ranging from neighborhood festivals to collaborations with nonprofit, corporate and government partners, to connect with residents who were most likely to qualify for energy assistance. In addition, Zaja PR worked with community organizations to distribute posters and flyers and partnered with them as on‑site collaborators when their events aligned with the County’s target audiences.
These efforts strengthened program visibility, improved clarity around available services and supported increased engagement among residents seeking energy assistance.
Key Outcomes
The Department of Energy Resources successfully dispersed more than $4.5M in funding to eligible households in 2026
Canvassed 28 residential communities
Reached more than 2,100 households
Identified and attended six community events with targeted residents