Peoples Gas – Charitable Grants
Community & Economic Development, Health, Arts, Education, and Environment
Organization: Peoples Gas
Affiliated Funder: North Shore Gas
Parent Company: WEC Energy Group
Support Type: Charitable grants
Geographic Focus: Peoples Gas service area
Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 (quarterly cycle)
About the Funder
Peoples Gas supports nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities across its Illinois service territory. Through the Peoples Gas Community Fund—alongside North Shore Gas—the companies donated $5.4 million to nonprofit organizations in 2024. Funding priorities focus on community well-being, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability.
What This Program Supports
Peoples Gas welcomes requests from qualified nonprofits aligned with the following focus areas:
- Community & Neighborhood Development
- Health & Human Services
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Environment
Support Types
- General operating support
- Program or project grants
- Capital campaigns (supported in rare instances)
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Be located within the Peoples Gas service area
- Align with one or more of the funding priorities listed above
Ineligible Requests
Peoples Gas does not fund:
- Individuals
- Fraternal, religious, or political organizations
- Trips, tours, pageants, or athletics
- Team or extracurricular school events or student exchange programs
- Organizations outside service areas (unless funding a specific project delivered directly to customer communities)
- Organizations without IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status
- Organizations that discriminate on any basis, including race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation
Funding Amounts
Peoples Gas does not publish standard grant sizes. Awards vary based on organizational capacity, project scope, alignment with priorities, and available funding.
Timeline & Review
📅 Quarterly Deadlines: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31
📩 Review Considerations: Mission alignment, community impact, financial health, and overall project or organizational need
Application Process
- A new applicant portal will launch in 2026, providing a single Blackbaud account to manage applications across WEC Energy Group–affiliated funders.
- Important: Application histories will not transfer to the new system; applicants are encouraged to download prior submissions.
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.wecenergygroup.com/community/peoples-gas-charitable-giving.htm
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This grant program is a strong fit for nonprofits that:
- Serve communities within Peoples Gas’ service territory
- Seek flexible funding, including general operating or program support
- Demonstrate local impact in community development, health, education, arts, or environmental initiatives
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Review Type: Quarterly deadlines
- Next Deadline: April 30, 2026
- Best Suited For: Local nonprofits seeking flexible charitable support in Illinois communities
