Con Edison Community Partnerships Grant

Con Edison Community Partnerships Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Con Edison
Last Updated: March 13, 2026

Summary

Con Edison is committed to fostering a clean and equitable energy future by supporting community-based organizations in New York City and Westchester. Focus areas include climate change adaptation, social justice initiatives, and clean energy careers. The funding prioritizes programs that serve historically marginalized communities, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance economic opportunities. Through these efforts, Con Edison aims to empower local organizations to address systemic inequities and build resilience against climate challenges.

Overview

Community Partnerships Con Edison supports organizations and causes that champion a clean and equitable energy future for all New Yorkers. Priority will be given to organizations with programs/projects centered-in historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities. Focus Areas Con Edison proudly funds organizations that share our vision to help mitigate the impact of extreme weather and improve resiliency, support disadvantaged communities, and prepare New Yorkers for clean energy and technology careers. Our philanthropic initiatives power the vitality of our communities in New York City and Westchester to advocate for broader and more equitable access for disadvantaged communities. Our efforts focus on: Extreme Weather Adaptation and Mitigation We are committed to strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and communities across our service territory. By advancing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, we are driving progress toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and preparing neighborhoods to withstand the impacts of extreme weather through nature-based solutions. Priority Areas: Adaptation: We support the restoration and preservation of urban forests and green spaces, the protection of vital waterways and wetlands, and the conservation of biodiversity and wildlife. These efforts help our neighborhoods thrive, even as climate challenges intensify.Mitigation: We invest in nature-based solutions, with an emphasis on green and blue infrastructure projects. From rain gardens to restored wetlands, our projects capture carbon, reduce emissions, and create healthier, more resilient environments. Social Justice and Community Resilience We believe resilience must be equitable. That’s why we support programs that expand energy access, cultivate local justice leaders, and deliver innovative cooling and flood solutions in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Priority Areas: Cooling & Flooding Solutions: Funded programs will prioritize community-driven approaches to address one or both challenges. Programs may include public outreach and resource distribution, technical assistance or targeted, short-term structural interventions.Energy Access: Fund community-based organizations and projects that support initiatives to ensure marginalized and disadvantaged communities have the capacity, leadership, and agency to engage in the clean energy transition. Eligible programs may include technical assistance, community outreach, and initiatives that strengthen energy advocacy within disadvantaged communities.Advocacy Training: Con Edison is committed to cultivating and supporting local leaders who champion stronger, safer communities at the intersection of community priorities and our vision for a clean energy transition. We are prioritizing funding for programs that employ a cohort-based model in the areas of climate, energy, and economic justice. Program outcomes should focus on developing local leaders equipped with robust advocacy skills. Clean Energy and Technology Careers We will foster a new generation of New Yorkers—especially those from disadvantaged communities—for well-paying jobs in emerging and in-demand clean energy and technology careers. Our focus is on skills training, career exploration education, economic supports, and work-based learning that create clear pathways to employment. Priority Areas: Skills Training: Hands-on training programs that equip new and existing workers with industry-recognized credentials and direct connections to employment in high-demand fields like HVAC, building efficiency and electrification, clean mobility, and cybersecurity.Career Exploration & Pathways: Programs and initiatives that engage high schoolers and adults through career and technical education, apprenticeships, dual enrollment, and work-based learning. Energy Ecosystems: Collaborations among employers, training providers, and community organizations to scale workforce solutions, strengthen employer connections, and remove barriers to entry.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Be a community-based organization; educational institution; or coalition, or alliance, of institutions, this includes environmental justice networks. Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable entity, as described in Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. In a collective group scenario, a designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit is required as the fiscal agent for funding.Be located in Con Edison’s service territory (New York City and Westchester).Support one of Con Edison’s grant funding priority areas (climate change & environmental stewardship, clean energy & technology careers, or social justice) and one focal point.Have a public commitment and mission that supports the specific priority area.Be able to provide measurable outcomes for communities within Con Edison service territories.Have a strong leadership team that is highly engaged with the communities served and demonstrates a high level of community input into the project/program.Requirements for Social Justice ApplicationsThe organization serves a disadvantaged or marginalized community.The mission of the organization is justice-based – Dedicated to addressing inequities through systems change approaches or strategies.The program must align with at least one of the sub-focus areasThe organization must demonstrate an understanding of policy, advocacy, or community organizing.

Ineligibility

Con Edison does not make grants to:IndividualsEndowments or endowment campaignsScholarship fundsOther private foundationsDebt retirement or to cover past operating deficitsCandidates for political office or to influence specific legislation (lobbying)Religious organizations for realizing a doctrinal purpose