(Columbus, OH) – Columbia Gas of Ohio and the NiSource Charitable Foundation today announced that 12 local nonprofit organizations have been chosen to receive a 2026 Environmental Action Grant. This newly established annual program supports local environmental restoration and education projects and programs by providing a grant of up to $5,000 to each recipient.
The recipients were chosen through a competitive process in which nonprofits submitted applications for specific community-based environmental projects, which were reviewed and scored by a selection committee.
“This is an exciting time for Columbia and our grant recipients as we join forces to make a significant impact on environmental health and sustainability. This forward-thinking approach is designed to support innovative ideas that will bring about positive and lasting change,” said Bob Heidorn, Columbia Gas of Ohio President & COO. “Also, we do not view these grants as one-time awards, but as the start of ongoing partnerships with each and every selected organization.”
The 2026 Environmental Action Grant recipients are:
- Onion Bag Litter Project – Provides essential infrastructure for the protection and restoration of Ohio’s natural water resources.
- Keep Toledo Beautiful – Plants 100+ native trees to help restore degraded urban habitats across underserved Toledo neighborhoods.
- Highland Youth Garden – Serves under-resourced residents of Columbus, Ohio’s Greater Hilltop neighborhood by providing educational garden programs for children and teens.
- Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services – Provides a sustainability-focused learning space for youth to actively participate in planting, maintaining and harvesting crops at their community garden.
- Etna Elementary PTO Outdoor Classroom Committee – Supports the outdoor classroom project to build community connections, environmental stewardship and STEM education.
- International Center for Preservation of Wild Animals "The Wilds" – Supports the Outstanding Wilds Learning volunteer program that engages young people in hands-on restoration and conservation efforts at The Wilds.
- North End Community Improvement Collaborative – Supports a student-led wetland and pond stewardship initiative that is focused on environmental restoration, wildlife habitat protection and environmental education.
- Friends of the Parks of the Wood County Parks District – Supports the Reuthinger Pond Project to stabilize the banks of the five-acre pond located at J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve.
- Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities – Combines environmental stewardship with creative engagement to turn volunteers into “habitat technicians,” where they will remove invasive plants and support native plant reintroduction.
- Friends of the Kokosing Scenic River – Adds structured wildlife observation protocols to help track species presence, migration patterns and habitat health. The data will be used to guide restoration decisions.
- Rural Action – Purchases fresh produce from area farms to supply food pantries in Ohio’s most food insecure communities.
- Springfield Rotary – Educates elementary students about the environment, composting, reusing and recycling, and saving energy. Their “Wildcats Go Green” program encourages youth to clean up around the school and in their neighborhoods.
“True community engagement means investing in meaningful projects that benefit us most where we live and work,” said Reggie Fields, Executive Director of the NiSource Charitable Foundation. “We are proud to collaborate with these outstanding nonprofit organizations and help them fulfill their missions through these vital environmental projects.”
NiSource Inc., the parent company of the NiSource Charitable Foundation, several Columbia Gas branded companies and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC, serves customers in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The Environmental Action Grant originated in Indiana over a decade ago.
This year, the NiSource Charitable Foundation expanded the program to all operating companies across NiSource’s six-state service area. In 2026, the Foundation will distribute a total of $250,000 in Environmental Action Grants.
###
About Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, dependable and efficient natural gas to approximately 1.5 million customers across the state. With headquarters in Columbus, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio. Columbia Gas of Ohio is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.NiSource.com.
About the NiSource Charitable Foundation
The NiSource Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves as the charitable arm for NiSource Inc. and its companies operating under the NIPSCO and Columbia Gas brands. The Foundation’s mission is to create strong and sustainable communities where our employees and customers live and work. The Foundation lives up to its mission by providing charitable grants to nonprofit organizations and by encouraging employee volunteerism. Learn more at www.NiSource.com/Foundation.
