ComEd Green Region Grant
More Than 10 Years of Impact in Natural Climate Solutions
Open space is essential to healthy, thriving communities. They provide necessary spaces to connect with nature while providing critical ecological benefits like clean air and water, pollinator habitat, and climate resilience. Since 2013, the ComEd Green Region Grant has supported communities across Northern Illinois with funding to help plan, restore, and expand open spaces.
Now in its fourteenth year, the ComEd Green Region Grant program provides up to $10,000 for conservation projects across Northern Illinois. The program has awarded more than $2.5 million to nearly 300 conservation projects, supporting 86,401 feet of ADA-accessible trails, 1,837 acres of protected, restored, or improved land, and the planting of 38,945 trees. These open space improvements have benefited more than 1.6 million people across the region.
Grants
The 2026 application portal is now closed.
This is a place for explainer copy if needed.
2026 Special Focus: Climate Resiliency & Pollinator Conservation
ComEd and Openlands are committed to a greener future through nature-based solutions that help communities prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change while supporting pollinator conservation. Special consideration will be given to 2026 projects that demonstrate climate resiliency through conservation, restoration, and improved land management in public open spaces.
Eligible projects may include:
- Restoring wetlands, prairies, savannas, and other habitats that increase biodiversity and support pollinators
- Installing pollinator gardens, bug hotels, native plantings, and layered landscape structures
- Managing stormwater with rain gardens, bioswales, cisterns, French drains, and permeable surfaces
- Planting climate-resilient trees and deep-rooted native species that improve soil health and sequester carbon
- Creating educational signage about pollinator habitats and natural features
Pollinator conservation projects should provide measurable benefits to local pollinator populations by establishing or enhancing habitat. Strong projects include diverse nectar plants that bloom throughout spring, summer, and fall, regionally native milkweed species, and plantings that support overwintering habitats. Applicants are encouraged to reference the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation pollinator guidance and the Xerces Society list of Native Plants for Pollinators And Beneficial Insects: Midwest Region.
Grantee Materials
Grant Report Due Dates
March 20, 2026
Grant reports are due from all 2024 grantees.
March 19, 2027
Grant reports are due from all 2025 grantees.
March 17, 2028
Grant reports are due from all 2026 grantees.
Resources for Current Grantees
Access report templates and required materials to manage your awarded grant and complete final reporting requirements.
Review Program Materials
Grantees are responsible for reviewing all the program materials to ensure their projects and final grant reports meet the terms of the ComEd Green Region Grant.
Accepting Grant Funds
Before beginning their projects, grantees must accept the funds by submitting a Receipt of Funds Letter and a resolution. The resolution shows that the grantee’s elected officials approved the project and the expenditure of funds necessary for its success. Board meeting minutes are not a substitute for a resolution. Samples of both are available below.
Grant Expenditure Timeline
Applicants awarded funds for their projects will be expected to fully expend the grant award within 18 months of its receipt.
Retroactive Reimbursement Requests
Retroactive reimbursement for costs accrued between the application deadline and the grant award may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. All requests for such reimbursement must be made in writing to greenregion@openlands.org.
Final Reporting Requirements
Within two months of the final expenditure of grant funds, the applicant must submit a final report summarizing the work accomplished with the grant. Accompanying the final report will be photographs or other documentation of the project, as well as an explanation of accounting that justifies the use of the grant funds, including documentation of invoices, canceled checks, recorded deeds, settlement sheets, etc., as necessary for the project.
Media & Public Recognition
During the grant period, award recipients will agree to participate in press conferences or events, to be quoted in ComEd literature describing the ComEd Green Region Grant, and to identify ComEd as a funder in any materials produced to explain or promote the funded project.
Funding Acknowledgment & Signage
Recipients will agree to acknowledge the use of ComEd Green Region Grant funds for the project, either through signage for capital projects or written acknowledgment in documents.
Signage language must read: “This project is supported by generous funding from ComEd and Openlands.” Please get in touch with greenregion@openlands.org.
