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

History

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the Foundation) was created in 1999 through an amendment to the Illinois Public Utilities Act. The purpose of the Foundation was to support projects that improved energy efficiency and preserved or enhanced natural habitats and wildlife areas throughout the State of Illinois. The Foundation was an independent nonprofit organization. Funding for the Foundation was provided through a $225 million endowment from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd).

In accordance with the amendment setting forth its creation, the Foundation funded programs that benefitted the public by improving energy efficiency, developing renewable energy resources, and supporting projects and programs intended to preserve or enhance the natural habitats and wildlife areas of Illinois. The amendment prohibited the use of the funds for the remediation of environmentally impaired property.

The Amendment also stipulated that the Foundation would contribute $1 million for each year of its first seven years to the Citizens Utility Board (CUB). After the CUB contributions, the Trustees had $218 million available to fund grants.

The amendment provided that the non-profit Foundation would have six* voting Trustees and four non-voting ex-officio Trustees. The voting Trustees were appointed to five-year terms by the following State of Illinois public officials:
• The Governor – one appointment
• The President of the Senate – one appointment
• The Speaker of the House – one appointment
• The Minority Leader of the Senate – one appointment
• The Minority Leader of the House – one appointment

The board also had ex-officio trustees who were appointed by the Directors of the state agencies listed and by ComEd:
• Illinois Environmental Department – one appointment
• Illinois Department of Economic Development – one appointment
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources – one appointment
• Commonwealth Edison – two appointments*

*Originally, Commonwealth Edison had the authority to appoint one ex-officio member of the board. In 2014/2015 the original amendment permitting ComEd to create the Foundation was amended to allow ComEd to appoint a second ex-officio trustee with demonstrated financial expertise.

It should be noted that although the voting Trustees, except for the ComEd appointee, were appointed by state officials, the Foundation was a Private Independent nonprofit organization. In a lawsuit filed in the Federal Court in 2004, the status of the Foundation as a Private Independent nonprofit was affirmed by the Federal Court and that ruling was upheld in the Seventh Circuit United States Court of Appeals.

The first Trustees were appointed in late 1999 and began to meet and organize the Foundation in early 2000. The Trustees conducted a search for an Executive Director. Once the Director was hired, the Trustees considered how the Foundation would operate.

There were several options to be considered:
• It was necessary to determine if the Foundation was to exist in perpetuity or spend down the endowment and eventually cease operating. The Trustees decided that the endowment would be spent down.
• The types of organizations that would be eligible for grants. The Trustees decided to award grants to eligible 501c(3) nonprofits and to local government bodies such as forest preserves, conservation districts and school districts.
• The kind of programs that would be offered to comply with the amendment.

These decisions provided guidance on how the Foundation would operate throughout its 25-year existence.

The Foundation was proud of the positive impact it has had on efficient, renewable energy and natural areas preservation in Illinois over the last 25 years. Together with grant recipients, the Foundation has demonstrated that adopting energy efficiency measures, using renewable energy resources, and preserving natural areas and wildlife habitat makes environmental and financial sense for Illinois.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the Foundation) was founded in 1999 with a mission to support projects that:
• Improved energy efficiency
• Advanced the development and use of renewable energy resources
• Protected natural areas and wildlife habitat in communities across Illinois

The Foundation was proud of the positive impact it has had on efficient, renewable energy and natural areas preservation in Illinois over the last 25 years. Together with grant recipients, the Foundation has demonstrated that adopting energy efficiency measures, using renewable energy resources, and preserving natural areas and wildlife habitat makes environmental and financial sense for Illinois.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation supported programs that improved energy efficiency, advanced the development and use of renewable energy resources, and protected natural areas and wildlife habitat in communities across Illinois.

Financial
After beginning with $225 million (which was reduced by the $7 million set aside designated for CUB), the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation began its work with $218 million. Through careful management and responsible investments, the Foundation’s leadership was able to significantly grow the fund. Due to the growth of the fund, over the 25-years of its existence, the Foundation was able to distribute approximately $323.2 million to Illinois schools, municipalities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the Foundation made a final grant of $47.1 million to Prairie State Conservation Coalition to continue to preserve and expand natural areas and wildlife habitat in Illinois.

Foundation grants have supported clean energy and open lands activities in 101 of the 102 counties in Illinois. The Foundation’s work will continue to preserve and expand natural areas and wildlife habitat in Illinois through the efforts of Prairie State Conservation Coalition, the recipient of the Foundation’s final grant of $47.1 million.

Foundation Accomplishments
Since its founding in 1999, excluding the final grant, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has awarded $323.2 million in grants to Illinois schools, municipalities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Grants have supported activities in 101 of the 102 counties in Illinois.

Accomplishments excluding $7 million to CUB include:
• Awarded 5,082 grants totaling approximately $323.2 million
• 3,617 energy efficiency projects funded
• 725 renewable energy projects funded
• 16 net zero energy buildings
• 3 net zero waste water treatment plants
• 714 natural areas projects co-funded
• 35,000+ acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat protected

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Accomplishments
The Foundation has focused on projects that benefit Illinois residents and the environment. Grants demonstrated that energy efficiency and renewable energy make environmental and financial sense for Illinois.

The Foundation’s energy efficiency and renewable energy program supported:
• 3,617 energy efficiency projects including 3,076 efficient lighting upgrades
• 725 renewable energy projects including 429 solar grants to K-12 schools in Illinois
• 16 net zero energy buildings
• 3 net zero energy wastewater treatment plants

Energy grant programs included:
• K-12 Solar Schools
• Net Zero Energy Building
• Net Zero Energy Wastewater Treatment Plant Program
• Other Renewables
• Photovoltaic systems for Nature/Welcome Centers

Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat Accomplishments
Through its grants program, the Foundation has focused on important projects that benefit Illinois residents and the global environment and are open to the public for their enjoyment. Grants have helped protect natural areas and wildlife in communities across Illinois, providing an open access legacy for generations to come.

Grant programs included:
• Capacity Building
• Community Stewardship Challenge Grant
• K-12 Pollinator Schools Program
• Land Acquisition
• Planning for Land Acquisition
• Pollinator Meadows
• Public Amenities and Events

The Foundation’s Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat program:
• Co-funded 714 natural areas projects
• Protected 35,000+ acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat
• Provided 30 grants to support capacity building
• Provided 270 grants for land acquisition
• Funded 21 pollinator meadows

Final Grant

In 2023, the Foundation announced that it would wind down operations by the end of the 2024. In 2024, the Foundation awarded a final grant of $47.1 million to Prairie State Conservation Coalition (the Coalition). The grant enabled the Coalition to establish its own Natural Areas Grant Program and award grants for:
• Land acquisition
• Purchase of conservation easements
• Stewardship of natural habitats and wildlife areas
• Capacity building for eligible conservation organizations, including a set aside for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) – led organizations

Proud Legacy

In its 25-year history, the Foundation built a solid record of success in helping Illinois schools, municipalities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations advance the development and use of renewable energy resources, and protect natural areas and wildlife habitat throughout the state. The work of the Foundation leaves a legacy for Illinois residents and visitors to enjoy and benefit from for generations to come.

Information updated as of December 2024.