Chester, VA – Today, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc., in partnership with the NiSource Charitable Foundation, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Environmental Action Grant, a recently expanded annual funding program that supports local environmental restoration and education projects and programs.
“We know how important it is to be good stewards of our environmental resources in Virginia,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “With the support of the NiSource Charitable Foundation, the Environmental Action Grant program allows us to strengthen our communities by investing in projects that protect our natural resources.”
Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)3 or other non-profit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and propose an environmentally focused project. Grant funding is not intended for capital projects or related purchases.
Grants will be awarded to selected organizations. Applications will be accepted now from late March to early April 2026, with recipients announced the week of April 20 in recognition of Earth Day.
To apply or learn more, please visit www.columbiagasva.com/our-company/about-us/giving-back/environmental-action-grant. Applicants should find “Are you applying for an Environmental Action Grant?” in the introductory section of the application and select ‘Yes.”
All applications must include a project description and goals, budget, target audience and more. The applicants will be evaluated according to strategic alignment, resource availability, project or program impact and organization priorities.
NiSource is the parent company of the Columbia Gas and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) brands, serving customers in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The Environmental Action Grant program started at NIPSCO in Indiana where grants have been awarded to support more than 170 projects over the past decade. The program recently expanded to NiSource operating companies in its other service states.
“We’ve seen this program support small, local projects that grew into meaningful, long‑term community partnerships,” said Executive Director of the NiSource Charitable Foundation Reggie Fields. “By expanding this program across every community we serve, we’re creating space for new ideas and relationships that strengthen environmental stewardship with benefits lasting well beyond that initial grant.”
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
About Columbia Gas of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia delivers clean, affordable and efficient natural gas to approximately 290,000 customers in 98 communities across the Commonwealth. With headquarters in Chesterfield County, it 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. More information about Columbia Gas of Virginia and NiSource, Inc., including our record of leadership in sustainability, investments in the communities we serve, and how we live our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner, is available at www.ColumbiaGasVA.com and www.NiSource.com.
