This program is for federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profits and local units of government NOT covered by the Foundation's current lighting programs (e.g., K-12 schools and child care centers) and who are not eligible for incentives from Ameren and ComEd under the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (EEPS) Program.

Organizations meeting the eligibility requirements of Community Centers, Community Care Providers, and Government Buildings must apply under the Foundation's lighting programs covering these sectors. "EEPS Ineligible" applicants receive electricity distribution services from municipal electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives.

Annual grant application deadlines are March 13 and September 13. Applicants must complete the Lighting Upgrade Grant Application electronically to be considered for this program.

Incentives under this program will not be provided on a dollar per kilowatt of electricity demand reduced. Foundation incentives will be established at the same $ per fixture basis as provided by the lighting upgrade programs of Ameren and ComEd. Information on incentive levels for lighting upgrades is available on the respective company's websites.

Funding Guidelines

Criteria

• Eligible Facilities: Stand-alone buildings owned and operated by federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profits and local units of government. The Foundation will not consider grants to organizations leasing space unless the lease is for 10+ years and the lessor is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or local unit of government.
  
  
• Eligible Applicants: Federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profits and local units of government.
  
  
• Eligible work for funding: These grants may pay for upgrades to the lamps, ballasts and/or controls in existing indoor lighting systems that reduce electricity demand. Grants are only made available to projects that are no further along than the lighting evaluation and design stage.
  
  
• Ineligible work for funding: Replacement of incandescent lamps with screw-in compact fluorescent lamps in fixtures and outdoor lighting systems.
  
  
• Grant awards based on per fixture incentives set under Ameren & ComEd lighting upgrade programs:  Maximum annual amount available for a single organization: $20,000