ComEd Powering the Arts Program (2026)
Arts Access Grants for Nonprofit Cultural Organizations in Northern Illinois
In collaboration with the League of Chicago Theatres
The ComEd Powering the Arts Program, administered in collaboration with the League of Chicago Theatres, provides competitive grants to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations working to expand access to live arts experiences across ComEd’s northern Illinois service territory. The program prioritizes projects that reach new and diverse audiences, remove barriers to participation, and strengthen long-term community engagement with the arts.
Organization
ComEd
(Administered by the League of Chicago Theatres)
Support Type
Charitable project grants
Grant Amounts
- $20,000 or
- Up to $10,000
(Requests between $10,001–$19,999 will not be considered)
Purpose & Program Focus
Powering the Arts is designed to support arts and cultural institutions that are actively working to make cultural experiences more accessible to communities that have historically faced barriers to participation. The program emphasizes outreach, inclusion, and sustained audience development, recognizing the role of the arts in fostering creativity, connection, and community well-being.
Funding supports projects that expand access to live arts experiences and demonstrate a commitment to engaging and retaining new audiences beyond the grant period.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Nonprofit arts or cultural institutions with 501(c)(3) status
- Located within ComEd’s service territory in northern Illinois
- In good standing with ComEd regarding utility services
- Not currently receiving funding from ComEd or Exelon
- Not awarded a Powering the Arts grant in 2024 or 2025
Ineligible applicants include:
- Schools, school districts, governments, or government-run organizations
- Organizations located outside ComEd’s service territory
Eligible counties include (but are not limited to): Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Rock Island, Will, Winnebago, and others.
Applicants must confirm eligibility using ComEd’s service territory map, as boundaries do not perfectly align with county lines.
Eligible Activities & Priority Audiences
Priority is given to projects that:
- Reach significant numbers of new and diverse audiences, and
- Demonstrate plans to retain those audiences after the grant period
Examples of eligible activities include serving:
- Communities without immediate access to arts and cultural programming
- Individuals facing economic barriers to participation
- Seniors with limited access to arts experiences
- Individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities
- Audiences with limited or no prior exposure to the arts
- Communities affected by reduced arts funding in public schools
Special consideration is given to projects that include:
- Creative solutions for seniors on fixed incomes
- Accessibility improvements for people with disabilities
- Outreach to rural communities within the service territory
- Expanded access on Chicago’s South and West sides
- Partnerships with community-based organizations
Matching Funds Requirement
- Grants may cover up to 75% of eligible project costs
- Applicants must secure or have pending at least 25% in matching funds
- Matching funds must be external cash sources (not internal operating funds or in-kind support)
- Applications without matching funds will not be accepted
Grant Conditions & Reporting
- Cultural offerings must be open to the general public on a regular basis
- Funds may not be used to supplement existing staff salaries
- Grant funds must be used by the end of the organization’s 2026–27 fiscal year
- A final grant report is due within two months of project completion and must include:
- Narrative summary of outcomes
- Financial accounting
- Project documentation (photos, videos, or similar materials)
Timeline & Key Dates
📅 Grant Cycle Opens: January 12, 2026 (9:00 a.m. CST)
📅 Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 (5:00 p.m. CST)
📢 Award Notifications: July 2026
📣 Public Announcement: Summer/Fall 2026
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the League of Chicago Theatres’ online application portal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full program guidelines and confirm service-territory eligibility before applying.
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://leagueofchicagotheatres.org/comedpoweringthearts/
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This grant is a strong fit for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that:
- Are based in northern Illinois
- Focus on equitable access to arts and culture
- Serve underserved, rural, senior, or disability communities
- Have secured or identified matching funds
- Are seeking mid-sized project support with clear community impact
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Funding Type: Project support
- Review Type: Competitive / Annual
- Grant Size: Up to $20,000
- Geographic Focus: ComEd service territory (Northern Illinois)
- Best Suited For: Nonprofit arts and cultural institutions expanding audience access
