Charitable Giving March 2026

ComEd Powering Safe Communities Grant Program (2026)

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Public Safety, Clean Transportation, and Electrification Grants for Local Governments
Administered by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

The Powering Safe Communities Grant Program is a partnership between ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus that provides competitive grants to support public safety, disaster preparedness, clean transportation, and electrification projects across ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory.

The program recognizes that electrification and modern public safety investments can reduce carbon emissions, improve public health outcomes, and strengthen long-term community resilience.

Organization

ComEd
(Administered by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus)

Support Type

Charitable project grants (reimbursement-based)

Grant Amount

Up to $10,000 per award

Program Goals

The Powering Safe Communities program seeks to:

Enhance quality of life in cities, villages, and towns
Improve public safety and emergency preparedness
Address unmet local safety needs
Advance local sustainability and electrification
Improve public health outcomes
Build community resiliency and preparedness
Support electric vehicle infrastructure and clean transportation
Promote safe and reliable use of electricity

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

Municipalities, townships, counties, and other local governments
Public entities located within ComEd’s service territory
Not-for-profit organizations only if partnered with at least one municipality

Applicants must be in good standing with ComEd regarding utility services.

Ineligible applicants include:

2024 or 2025 Powering Safe Communities grant recipients
Organizations outside the ComEd service territory

Previous Powering Safe Communities grantees from 2015–2023 are eligible to apply.

Eligible counties include Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Henry, Iroquois, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago, and Woodford.
Applicants must confirm eligibility using ComEd’s service territory map, as county lines do not perfectly match service boundaries.

Eligible Activities

Grant funds may be used for goods or services that advance program goals, including but not limited to:

Public Safety Equipment

Traffic and pedestrian safety equipment
Communications and monitoring systems
Protective and safety infrastructure

Emergency Response Equipment & Supplies

Emergency transport and communications equipment
Specialized response tools and supplies
Equipment supporting first responders and vulnerable populations

Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency

Equipment and supplies to prevent, mitigate, or respond to disasters
Infrastructure that strengthens community resilience

Public Safety Programs & Plans

Public education and disaster preparedness programs
Training for government officials and staff
Public safety planning and coordination initiatives

Electrification Projects (Special Focus Area)

Projects that improve public health, reduce emissions, and promote clean transportation, including:

Electric vehicle charging stations
Electric vehicle purchases
Electrification technologies that replace fossil fuel systems

Ineligible Expenses

Grant funds may not be used for:

Lobbying activities
Regulatory compliance activities
Capital costs
Staff salaries
Routine supplies
Private vendor training when similar services are offered through public agencies or associations

Staff time may be counted as an in-kind matching contribution.

Matching Funds & Reimbursement

A 50% match is required (cash or documented in-kind contributions)
Grant funds cover up to 50% of total project costs
Volunteer labor may count toward match with documentation
Applicants may request a match reduction or waiver if needed

All grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis. Recipients must:

Complete the project
Document expenditures
Submit reimbursement requests and reports

Retroactive reimbursement for costs incurred between application deadline and award notification may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Timeline & Key Dates

📅 Grant Cycle Opens: January 12, 2026 (9:00 a.m. CT)
📅 Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 (5:00 p.m. CT)
📢 Award Notifications: Early July 2026
📅 Project Completion Deadline: March 31, 2027

Application Process

The Powering Safe Communities program is administered by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. Applications must be submitted online through the Caucus’ grant portal. Applicants are encouraged to include support letters and ensure project budgets clearly reflect required matching contributions.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://mayorscaucus.org/initiatives/environment/psc/