Nicor Gas: Pillar Grants - Basic Human Needs and Energy Assistance

Nicor Gas offers the Pillar Grants program to support organizations focused on Basic Human Needs and Energy Assistance. These grants, capped at $5,000, aim to address immediate needs such as food, shelter, and clothing for individuals within Nicor Gas' service area. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that contribute to community stability and wellness, ensuring critical support for those facing challenges.

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.
A healthy and stable community is a thriving community. We invest in United Way, energy assistance programs and nonprofit organizations with programs that provide individuals in our communities with the basic necessities as well as promote stability and wellness.
What We Fund
Our Basic Human Needs and Energy Assistance 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. We also provide general operating grants to organizations that help Nicor Gas customers access energy assistance programs.
Funding
Grants may not exceed $5,000.

Eligibility

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.Nicor Gas considers grant requests only from those organizations classified as 501(c)(3), tax-exempt by the IRS.We typically award only one grant or sponsorship per organization each calendar year.

Ineligibility

We do not provide grants that support animal health or services, hospitals or medical clinics,or single-cause health organizations. We also do not provide direct energy grants to offset customer bills through our corporate giving.Contributions are not made to:Organizations that are not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Primary or secondary schools
Religious-based organizations in support of their sacramental or theological functions