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Sustainable Communities Grant Program

Underwriters Laboratories Inc

Foundation Annual Grants for Grassroots OrganizationsEnvironmental Conservation GrantsCommunity Development GrantsFood Security Grants

Funding Amount

$2,500

Deadline

October 6, 2026

9 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Current deadline
October 6, 2026
Tracked since
April 2026

Deadlines typically fall in: October

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Local nonprofit organizations

Other requirements

  • Mission alignment with sustainable, community-led impact

Overview

Sustainable Communities Grant Program

Funder: UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), and Northwestern University's Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations

Status: Active - Inaugural program announced October 6, 2025

Geographic Scope: Evanston and Skokie, Illinois

Focus Areas:

  • Environmental stewardship

  • Resource efficiency

  • Community engagement

  • Sustainability initiatives

  • Grassroots sustainability efforts

    • Award Amount: $2,500 per grant

    Eligibility:

  • Local nonprofit organizations

  • Mission alignment with sustainable, community-led impact

    • 2025-2026 Winners:

  • Evanston Grows - Organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity through increasing access to locally-grown produce and building community connections. Uses grant for culinary demos and food tastings at Free Farm Stands.

  • Climate Action Evanston - Organization focused on accelerating the city's progress in addressing climate crisis. Uses grant for Evanston Litter League Pilot Program, a youth-led initiative focused on reducing litter and raising environmental awareness.

    • Program Details:

  • Competitive application process

  • Collaborative initiative between ULRI, ULSE, and Northwestern University

  • Born from shared vision between Tina Vaughn (ULRI) and EL Da'Sheon Nix (Northwestern)

  • Grantees receive support for documentation and impact sharing

  • Implementation timeline: Projects begin in fall following award announcement

    • Contact:

  • Tina Vaughn, Senior Manager, Community Affairs and Engagement, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement

  • EL Da'Sheon Nix, Director of Evanston Community Relations, Northwestern University Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Process Overview:
    1. Competitive application process
    2. Independent evaluation of applications
    3. Two organizations selected as recipients

    Application Details:

  • Specific application procedures not detailed in available materials

  • Focus on organizations proposing projects that promote environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and community engagement

    • Required Materials:

  • Not specified in provided content

    • Evaluation Criteria:

  • Mission alignment with sustainable, community-led impact

  • Quality and feasibility of proposed project

  • Community benefit and engagement potential

    • Next Steps for Awarded Organizations:

  • Implementation of projects (typically beginning in fall)

  • Collaboration with ULRI, ULSE, and Northwestern for progress documentation

  • Sharing of impact stories with broader community

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    What Underwriters Laboratories Inc actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990 filing, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    48
    Total given
    $8.62M
    Median grant
    $25K
    Range
    $6,000–$2.62M
    • By dollars: Illinois 44%, Massachusetts 17%, North Carolina 10%. Top recipient cities: Chicago, IL; Evanston, IL; College Park, MD.
    • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 63% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Northwestern University · Evanston, IL

      Research

      $2.62M

    • Duke University · Durham, NC

      Research

      $801K

    • Purdue University · Chicago, IL

      Research

      $750K

    • Kindling Inc · Kingston, MA

      Research

      $582K

    • State of Maryland-University of MD College Park · College Park, MD

      Research

      $577K

    IRS Form 990 filing, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    grassrootsenvironmental-conservationcommunity-developmentfood-security

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Grants for Grassroots OrganizationsEnvironmental Conservation GrantsCommunity Development GrantsFood Security Grants

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