ComEd Powering the Arts Program

The ComEd Powering the Arts Program is a funding initiative designed to support access to arts and cultural programming throughout northern Illinois. Administered through a partnership between ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres, the program underscores the role of arts in fostering community engagement, emotional enrichment, and social cohesion. It aims to serve audiences that have historically been underrepresented or lack access to cultural experiences, whether due to geographic isolation, financial limitations, or reduced educational opportunities. ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres jointly recognize that access to arts is fundamental to the overall health and vitality of communities and therefore created this grant to foster inclusive artistic engagement across the region. The program supports nonprofit arts and cultural institutions that are situated within ComEd’s service territory. Eligible organizations must be in good standing with ComEd and operate independently of any school, government, or government-run entity. Specifically excluded from eligibility are schools, school districts, governments, and any entity affiliated with such institutions unless they hold their own 501(c)(3) status. Organizations that received funding through the Powering the Arts program in 2024 or 2025, or are currently receiving funding from ComEd or its affiliates, are ineligible to apply during the 2026 grant cycle. Grant applicants may request either $20,000 or up to $10,000 in funding, but requests falling between those two levels will not be considered. These funds can support up to 75% of the project’s eligible expenses, and applicants must demonstrate matching funds equivalent to at least 25% of total project costs. Matching funds must come from external sources and cannot include in-kind contributions or internal operating budgets. The matching amount may be secured or pending at the time of application, and its status must be declared in the budget submission. Selected grantees must expend their awarded funds by the end of their 2026–2027 fiscal year, with a final report due within two months following that period. The application process opens on January 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. CST and closes on March 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Submissions must be completed online through the League of Chicago Theatres’ website. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee composed of individuals from the regional nonprofit arts and culture sector. Decisions will be announced in July 2026, followed by a formal press release later in the summer or fall. All communications, including award notifications, will be directed to the applicant's designated contact person. Evaluation criteria prioritize the reach and retention of new and diverse audiences. The program encourages innovative approaches to arts engagement, especially those that serve underserved communities, such as seniors, people with disabilities, and residents of rural or economically disadvantaged areas. Special attention is given to applications proposing collaborations with other community organizations and those focused on expanding access to the arts on Chicago's South and West sides. Grantees are expected to document the funded work and provide financial justification in their final reports. For assistance, applicants may contact the program team via email or phone, with Tony Bondoc, Director of Programming, as a listed point of contact.