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

Foundation Accomplishments

Founded in 1999, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the 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. Effective December 2024, the Foundation ceased operations.

The Foundation was proud of the positive impact it had on efficient, renewable energy and natural areas preservation in Illinois for 25 years. Foundation grants supported clean energy and open lands activities in 101 of the 102 counties in Illinois.

Excluding the final grant awarded to Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC), the Foundation awarded 5,082 grants and distributed approximately $323.2 million in program grants to Illinois schools, municipalities, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations. It has awarded 3,617 energy efficiency grants, 725 renewable energy grants, 16 net zero energy buildings grants, 3 net zero wastewater treatment plant grants and 714 natural areas grants.

The Foundation’s final grant of $47.1 million was awarded to Prairie State Conservation Coalition for the organization to create its own Natural Areas Grant Program and an ongoing legacy for land conservation in Illinois.

Among the funds awarded to Prairie State Conservation Coalition are funds designated to help support eligible conservation organizations with Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) leaders. These funds will be utilized to help support such organizations in land acquisition, enhancing awareness of grant opportunities and in helping land conservation organizations diversity their boards, staff and programming.

The Foundation was proud of the positive impact it has had throughout Illinois during its 25-year history. Together with grant recipients, the Foundation demonstrated that adopting energy efficiency measures, using renewable energy resources, and preserving natural areas and wildlife habitat make environmental and financial sense for Illinois.

In addition to funding 4,342 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, the foundation has co-funded projects that protected more than 35,000 acres of natural areas and wildlife habitat in Illinois.

For additional information on the Foundation’s accomplishments, see the infographics below: