Nicor Gas Charitable Giving Program

Nicor Gas Charitable Giving Program is sponsored by Nicor Gas. Supports nonprofit organizations in Illinois focusing on environmental stewardship, community and culture, family and social services, basic human needs, and education and workforce development.

Paying your bill just got easier! Now accepting all major credit cards! Reminder: Nicor Gas has changed grant management systems Reminder: New grant management system Nicor Gas has transitioned to a new grant management platform, Benevity.

For the smoothest experience when submitting a grant application, please ensure your organization is first registered in the Benevity Nonprofits Portal. Nicor Gas has transitioned to a new grant management platform, Benevity. To ensure the smoothest experience when submitting a grant application, please ensure your organization is registered in the Benevity Nonprofits Portal.

Nicor Gas focuses its charitable giving on five pillars. Grants are most likely to be awarded to organizations that fall into one of the five focus areas noted below and whose programs benefit those within Nicor Gas’ service area. Grant applications open and close based on the schedule defined below.

Grant Application Schedule Environmental Stewardship Family and Social Services Education and Workforce Development 2025 Environmental Stewardship Grant Awards $100K Awarded to 21 Nonprofits 2025 Community and Culture Grants $100K Awarded to 22 Nonprofits 2025 Family and Social Services Grant Awards $100K Awarded to 21 Nonprofits 2025 Basic Human Needs Grant Awards $100K Awarded to 23 Nonprofits 2025 Education and Workforce Development Grant Awards $100K Awarded to 23 Nonprofits A healthy and stable community is a thriving community.

We invest in nonprofit organizations with programs that provide individuals in our communities with the basic necessities as well as promote stability and wellness. Our Basic Human Needs pillar is focused on services where there is a critical or acute need to solve problems immediately. Organizations funded under this pillar include those that provide food, shelter, clothing and disaster relief.

Nicor Gas supports a broad range of programs that promote access to basic needs, including but not limited to: Food banks, food pantries and food distribution programs Transitional and emergency shelter programs Access to essential needs such as clothing, hygiene and other supplies We do not provide grants that support animal health or services, hospitals or medical clinics, or single-cause health organizations.

At Nicor Gas, we know that the many facets of community and culture make our company better and our communities stronger. We invest in nonprofit organizations with programs that contribute to the vitality and livability of our neighborhoods and provide opportunities and access for all.

Our Community and Culture pillar provides support to cultural and community organizations that create engagement in the arts and organizations that work to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds can thrive and reach their full potential. Organizations funded under this pillar include museums and theatres and organizations that create access to opportunities for all.

Nicor Gas supports a broad range of programs that promote community and culture, including but not limited to: Arts education and cultural enrichment programs Community-based exhibitions and performances Programs that promote access to resources and opportunity for all Education and Workforce Development The path to economic mobility and enhanced opportunities includes education and career readiness.

Our primary focus is on institutions that offer areas of study important to our business and from which we are interested in recruiting members of our future workforce. Our Education and Workforce Development pillar primarily supports secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities as well as technical/vocational programs.

We value partnerships that align with our workforce development initiatives, improving awareness of careers in energy and helping to develop a qualified workforce.

Nicor Gas supports a broad range of education-related programs including but not limited to: Skill building and job training programs Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs and initiatives Access to post-secondary education opportunities Mentoring and tutoring programs We do not provide grants that support primary or secondary schools or their educational foundations.

Environmental Stewardship Natural gas is a clean fuel alternative. We are committed to protecting our environment. We invest in nonprofit organizations with programs that contribute to clean air, conservation and green space.

Our Environmental Stewardship pillar supports efforts that directly result in more customer and employee engagement in the natural environment through conservation and sustainable activities. Special consideration is given to organizations or projects focused on cleaner fuel, protecting our environment, clean air, conservation, and establishment or preservation of green space.

Nicor Gas supports a broad range of programs that promote environmental stewardship, including but not limited to: Ecological restoration or preservation initiatives Installation or maintenance of pollinator friendly habitats Environmental education programs Programs that increase or improve access to natural spaces We do not provide grants for beautification efforts that are not tied to specific environmental initiatives, development initiatives not tied to environmental stewardship, or grants that are exclusively meant to purchase or maintain equipment.

Family and Social Services Strong communities depend on good citizens working together. We invest in nonprofit organizations with programs that support families, improve quality of life, foster resilience and enhance social welfare. The Family and Social Services pillar provides support to social services programs.

We focus on communities where stabilization needs are the greatest. Organizations funded under this pillar include social services agencies, non-core health services such as mental health, substance abuse, disability services, and organizations that target civic development.

Nicor Gas supports a broad range of programs that promote community and social services, including but not limited to: Mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment programs Domestic violence prevention and treatment programs Disability services programs Family support services programs Eligible organizations that support one of the five pillar focus areas and whose programs benefit those within Nicor Gas’ service area are encouraged to apply for a pillar grant.

We have grant limits for pillar grants of no more than $5,000 , and organizations will be limited to one grant a year. Nicor Gas considers grant requests only from those organizations classified as 501(c)(3), tax-exempt by the IRS.

Contributions are not made to: Organizations that are not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Social or recreational groups Primary or secondary schools or their educational foundations Religious-based organizations in support of their sacramental or theological functions Political parties, groups or candidates Endowment or debt reduction drives How do I submit a grant request?

We have moved our grant application process fully online. Please use the specific pillar application link to submit your grant application in our online application system. When should I apply for a grant?

Each pillar of giving has a unique application that opens and closes according to the schedule below. Environmental Stewardship: March 30-May 31 Community and Culture: April 15 - June 30 Family and Social Services: May 15 - July 31 Basic Human Needs: June 15 - August 31 Education: July 15 - August 31 Which pillar should I apply for? Nicor Gas focuses its charitable giving on five pillars.

Basic Human Needs, Community and Culture, Family and Social Services, Education and Workforce Development, and Environmental Stewardship. Each pillar is defined under Our Pillars of Giving. If you are still unsure which pillar your organization or grant qualifies under, please send us an email at nicorgascontributions@southernco.

com and we will help you identify the best fit. Does my organization qualify for a grant? Nicor Gas considers grant requests only from those organizations classified as 501(c)(3), tax-exempt by the IRS.

Nicor Gas does not contribute to individuals, religious organizations or private K-12 schools.

Contributions are not made to: Organizations that are not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Social or recreational groups Primary or secondary schools or their foundations Religious-based organizations in support of their sacramental or theological functions Political parties, groups or candidates Endowment or debt reduction drives What is required for the Application Process?

In general, the following information is required for each grant application. Organization information, including name and address, Tax ID, mission and target audience.

A description of the project, requested dollar amount, overall project budget, estimated start and end dates, and areas served If your application is approved, you will also need to submit: An invoice for the total amount of the grant Any project metrics identified as a condition of grant approval Will there be a meeting to discuss my request? We will contact you if a meeting is needed.

Funding decisions and limitations FAQ How many times may I apply? We typically award only one grant or sponsorship per organization each calendar year. Is there a minimum or maximum amount of donation?

Yes. Grants may not exceed $5,000. When will funding decisions be made?

Funding decisions will be announced 60 days after the pillar application period closes. All applicants will receive a communication indicating whether their request was approved. Why was my application declined?

We sincerely regret that we are unable to fund each request that helps to support a worthy program. Our decision does not reflect the value of a program but rather reflects the limitations of our contribution budget and program guidelines.

Applications may be declined for a variety of reasons, including: The requests we receive for funding exceed our annual giving resources The organization is not a 501(c)(3) or does not meet our other requirements for funding The request does not fit under the pillar selected If you have any questions that are not answered here, please email us at nicorgascontributions@southernco. com and we will get back to you within 3 business days.