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

About the Foundation

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the Foundation) ceased operations effective December 2024. The Foundation was established in December 1999 as an independent foundation with a $225 million endowment provided by Commonwealth Edison. The Foundation’s mission was to improve energy efficiency, advance the development and use of renewable energy resources, and protect natural areas and wildlife habitat in communities across Illinois.

The Foundation was proud of the positive impact it had on efficient, renewable energy and natural areas preservation in Illinois. Foundation grants supported clean energy and open lands activities in 101 of the 102 counties in Illinois. From inception, excluding its final grant to Prairie State Conservation Coalition, the Foundation awarded $323.2 million to Illinois schools, municipalities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. It awarded 3,617 energy efficiency grants, 725 renewable energy grants, 16 net zero energy building grants, 3 net zero energy wastewater treatment plant grants and 714 natural areas grants. The Foundation co-funded projects that protected more than 35,000 acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat in Illinois.

Information updated as of December 2024.