The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation was independently founded in 1999 with an endowment of $225 million from Commonwealth Edison. The foundation’s mission is to “improve energy efficiency, advance the development of renewable energy resources and protect natural areas for people in communities all across Illinois.” So far ICECF has awarded more than 3,900 grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, municipalities, and other local and state government agencies. Projects must implement and improve the use of energy efficiency technologies and methods to decrease pollution and energy costs; develop and increase use of renewable resources (such as wind and solar power); and/or preserve and enhance natural habitats in order to receive grants from the ICECF.