NiSource Charitable Foundation – Columbia Gas of PA periodically provides mini-grants in select counties to be distributed through Keep PA Beautiful's affiliate network and other partners.

We are happy to announce that in 2025 we awarded 6 grants of $2,500!

2025 Awardees:

  • Allegheny County: Awarded $2,500 to Allegheny CleanWays for support of a three day illegal dump river cleanup at Kilbuck/ Emsworth lock and dam.
  • Centre County: Awarded $2,500 to ClearWater Conservancy, to support their Millbrook Marsh Restoration Tree Planting project
  • Coatesville(Chester County): Awarded $2,500 to Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance for community greening and beautification of a new Pocket Park in downtown Coatesville.
  • Fayette County: Awarded $2,500 to Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center, to support a large illegal dump cleanup with Recycling Ambassador Luke Hamaker, who was awarded a Stewards for Tomorrow Affiliate Youth Award!
  • Venango County: Awarded $2,500 to The Venango County Conservation District to support an expansion of their pollinator garden. This round builds on funding they previously received to install and enhance a natives and pollinator garden complete with rain barrel and education area.
  • Westmoreland County: Awarded $2,500 to Westmoreland Cleanways to support their community pollinator garden, including adding a pavilion and picnic tables for the public to enjoy and for education events.

 

In addition, we are thrilled to partner with the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Columbia Gas of PA to offer Young Ambassadors job shadowing opportunities in 2024 and 2025!

 

Highlights from NiSource Foundation – Columbia Gas of PA's Feb - Dec 2024 round of funding

Download the 2024 NiSource funding report!

In 2024, Venango Conservation District staff educated student volunteers about pollinator gardens before planting.

In 2024 for their annual Clarion River cleanup, Elk County Conservation District worked with students from St. Mary’s High School to collect 800 pounds of trash!

Allegheny CleanWays's GrateKeepers participants applied Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority medallions to storm drains as part of an education and cleanup event held with the Environmental Charter School of Pittsburgh in 2024.

 

Highlights from NiSource Foundation – Columbia Gas of 2023 - 2024 round of funding

Download the 2023 - 2024 NiSource funding report!

Keep Centre County Beautiful & Clearwater Conservancy cleaned up litter and planted a native meadow at Talleyrand Park in historic downtown Bellefonte.

PA CleanWays of Elk County with county partners planting natives to to beautify West Creek Wetland Learning Center.

Students and staff at Smethport Area School District in McKean County planted new and revived old landscapes around the campus with native trees and plants.