Effective December 2024, the Illinois Clean Energy
Community Foundation Has Ceased Operations

Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation

Founded in 1999 through an amendment to the Illinois Public Utilities Act, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the Foundation) provided support to projects that improved energy efficiency and preserved or enhanced natural habitats and wildlife areas throughout the State of Illinois. The Foundation was an independent organization funded with a $225 million endowment provided by Commonwealth Edison. From inception, through responsible management and investment, the Foundation grew its fund. Over 25 years, excluding its final grant, the Foundation distributed 5,082 grants totaling approximately $323.2 million to Illinois schools, municipalities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to help fund projects meeting the Foundation’s program criteria and guidelines.

Never intended to exist in perpetuity, to end its operations the Foundation made a final grant of $47.1 million to Prairie State Conservation Coalition to continue the work of helping preserve and enhance natural habitats and wildlife areas open to the public in Illinois. These areas support nature-based solutions to climate change and protect land for the use and enjoyment of generations to come.

Excluding the final $47.1 million grant to Prairie State Conservation Coalition, the Foundation’s success includes:
• $323.2 million distributed through 5,082 grants
• 3,617 energy efficiency projects funded
• 725 renewable energy grants projects funded
• 714 natural areas projects co-funded
• 16 net zero energy building grants distributed
• 3 net zero energy wastewater treatment plant grants
• 35,000+ acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat protected
• Grants have supported activities in 101 of the 102 counties in Illinois

The Foundation was proud of the positive impact it had over its 25-year history.

Information updated as of December 2024