The **Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF)** was established in 1999 through an amendment to the Illinois Public Utilities Act, funded initially by a $225–$250 million endowment from Commonwealth Edison, a local utility[1][2][5]. As a private, independent foundation, ICECF's mission focused on three key areas: **advancing energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy, and preserving natural areas and wildlife habitats across Illinois**[1][2]. It exclusively provided grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government agencies serving Illinois residents. Over its 25-year history, ICECF distributed **over 5,000 grants totaling approximately $323 million** to schools, municipalities, nonprofits, and government entities, supporting more than 3,600 energy efficiency projects, 700 renewable energy initiatives, and 700 projects preserving natural habitats[2][5]. It also funded 16 net-zero energy building projects and supported 35,000+ acres of natural and wildlife areas throughout 101 of Illinois' 102 counties[2]. The foundation shifted its grant criteria over time to emphasize actual building performance data rather than modeled projections, encouraging more rigorous energy efficiency and net-zero energy targets[1]. Notable achievements include catalyzing the development of net-zero energy buildings and wastewater treatment plants, as well as fostering nature-based climate solutions by protecting extensive natural areas open to the public[1][2]. The foundation played a significant role in advancing clean energy technologies and conservation efforts statewide. ICECF was never intended to operate indefinitely; it concluded operations with a final grant of $47.1 million to the Prairie State Conservation Coalition to continue its legacy of habitat preservation and climate resilience[2]. By December 2024, the foundation had formally closed, leaving a lasting impact on Illinois' clean energy landscape through its strategic funding, stewardship, and commitment to sustainability[2]. In sum, ICECF was a pioneering philanthropic entity that combined business, technology, and environmenta