PITTSBURGH — Duquesne Light Company (DLC) today announced the reopening of its annual Community Impact Grants (CIG) program, which recognizes and awards diverse, grassroot community organizations in Allegheny and Beaver counties with microgrants of up to $10,000 to support efforts in environmental justice, education and social equity. Interested organizations can apply online starting today, July 8, through Aug. 5, 2024.
DLC launched the CIG program in April 2021 to support small nonprofit organizations making lasting positive impacts in the community. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $600,000 to nearly 100 local organizations, about 85% of which are diverse led. In 2023, DLC funded 38 unique projects focusing on food access; reforestation and green spaces; science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education; access to technology; refugee assistance; and more.
“As an essential service provider, one of DLC’s core values that guides us each and every day is community. We continually invest in initiatives that enhance the quality of life for those we serve,” said Angela Feldbauer, DLC’s manager of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate giving. “This program has enabled DLC to deepen our relationships with diverse, grassroot nonprofits across our service territory, and we’re honored to stand alongside those organizations once again and continue serving as a trusted partner in the Pittsburgh region.”
Success Story
Grow Pittsburgh was one of the first recipients to receive a microgrant from DLC in 2021 to amplify a community garden in Pittsburgh’s Manchester neighborhood. The funding also aided the organization to grow and make a larger impact supporting the Manchester community.
“Grow Pittsburgh is grateful to Duquesne Light Company for the Community Impact Grant in 2021 that helped establish the Manchester Food for the Soul Community Farm,” said Ryan Walsh, Grow Pittsburgh’s director of development and communications. “This garden has become a treasured source of healthy free food for the neighborhood, and we greatly appreciate DLC’s financial support as well as volunteer support to make this happen.”
How to Apply
This year’s CIG program will once again fund efforts in environmental justice, education and social equity, specifically:
- Community gardens; park upgrades and restorations; and climate resilience.
- K-12 education in the areas of STEAM; access or increased access to technology and equipment for educational programming or capacity building.
- Housing, racial equality, refugee assistance and access to food for historically disenfranchised communities.
To be considered for a microgrant, organizations must:
- Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit or state equivalent, or an organization receiving fiscal sponsorship from a registered 501(c)3 or state equivalent.
- Meet DLC’s Charitable Giving program guidelines listed in the program’s FAQs.
- Serve residents in Allegheny and/or Beaver counties.
- Have an annual operating budget equal to or less than $500,000 and/or a specific targeted project. Organizations with larger budgets that are not applying on behalf of a smaller nonprofit or community group will not be considered for a microgrant.
Funding should not be used for capital campaigns or overhead expenses including rent, employee salaries, insurance or utility support.
All applications will be reviewed by a committee of DLC employees, with final decisions being communicated to applicants within six weeks of the submission deadline. Organizations that receive a microgrant will be listed on DLC’s website and promoted on social media.
To learn more about the program and application process, visit DuquesneLight.com/CIG.
More details about DLC’s broader community programs can be found in the company’s 2023 ESG report.