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 2026 we awarded 4 grants of $2,500!

2026 Awardees:

  • Allegheny County: Awarded $2,500 to Allegheny CleanWays to support a three day illegal dump river cleanup on the Ohio River and Kilbuck Creek.
  • Fayette County: Awarded $2,500 to Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center, to support their Stormwater, Flood Plain Management & Pollution Prevention Educational Workshop.
  • Lawrence County: Awarded $2,500 to Tri-County Cleanways to support the East Side Grove Farrell Playground Improvement Project.
  • Elk County: Awarded $2,500 to The Elk County Conservation District to support The rehabilitation of the West Creek Wetlands Community Learning Center Dock.

 

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, 2025, 2026 and 2027!

 

Highlights from NiSource Foundation – Columbia Gas of PA's Feb - Dec 2025 round of funding

Download the 2025 NiSource funding report!

Allegheny CleanWays volunteer cleaning up along the Ohio River in 2025.

A volunteer with Allegheny CleanWays cleans up trash that collects along the shoreline beneath the Emsworth lock and dam on the Ohio River. They picked up 6,748 lbs of waste from the river and riverbank!

Tri-County Cleanways with the South Side Community Garden Project in Lawrence County in 2025.

Tri-County Cleanways, volunteers from the local community, Holistic Industries, and DON Enterprises worked together to revitalize the South Side Garden in Lawrence County.

Keep Fayette County Green volunteers at an illegal dump cleanup in 2025.

Keep Fayette County Green partnered with Youth Recycling Ambassador, Luke Hamaker, and other volunteers to remove 1,009 tires and 2.38 tons of dumped trash in Dunbar Township in Fayette County.

 

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.