Consolidated Edison Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Founded: 2023
• EIN: 93-4767892
• Annual Giving: ~$1.1 million (Foundation only; parent company Con Edison awards additional $15+ million in corporate grants)
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (300+ applications received in 2025 cycle)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (concept papers due April 30; decisions in fall)
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $750,000
• Geographic Focus: New York City and Westchester County

Contact Details

Address:
Consolidated Edison Foundation Inc
4 Irving Place, Room 1650-S
New York, NY 10003

Phone: (212) 460-6911
Fax: (212) 460-3730
Email: powerofgiving@conEd.com
Website: www.conedisonfoundation.org

Executive Director: Hilary S. Ayala (AyalaH@conEd.com)

Application Portal: coned.versaic.com (invitation code required)

Overview

Founded in 2023, the Consolidated Edison Foundation, Inc. is an independent nonprofit foundation funded by Con Edison, Inc. investors. The Foundation operates alongside Con Edison's broader corporate giving program, with a specific focus on energy affordability initiatives. The Foundation's vision is to power a transformation toward greener and cleaner communities, fostering equity and resilience for all New Yorkers.

In its recent grant cycle, the Foundation awarded approximately $1.1 million across 10 grants, while the parent company's corporate contributions program awarded an additional $15 million to support climate resilience, clean energy careers, and environmental justice initiatives. Combined, Con Edison's philanthropic efforts totaled $22 million in 2025, supporting organizations across New York City and Westchester County. With over 300 applications received in the 2025 cycle, the program is highly competitive and selective.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Consolidated Edison Foundation - Energy Affordability Program

• Grant Range: $25,000 - $750,000
• Total Program: $1.1 million across 10 grants
• Focus: Supporting energy affordability in New York City and Westchester County
• Application Method: Competitive process with invitation codes
• Recent Example: $750,000 to Habitat for Humanity to expand access to affordable, energy-efficient housing through Habitat's Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)

Con Edison Corporate Contributions Program

• Grant Range: $25,000 - $150,000 (typical range)
• Total Program: $15+ million annually
• Application Method: Concept paper submission followed by formal application invitation
• Cycle: January 1 - June 30 annually; decisions in fall

Priority Areas

The Foundation and corporate program focus on three interconnected areas:

1. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

• Strengthening resilience of ecosystems and communities
• Advancing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies
• Driving progress toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
• Preparing neighborhoods to withstand extreme weather impacts through nature-based solutions
• Supporting restoration and preservation of urban forests and green spaces
• Protection of vital waterways and wetlands
• Conservation of biodiversity and wildlife

2. Clean Energy and Technology Careers

• Fostering a new generation of New Yorkers for well-paying jobs in clean energy and technology
• Priority on participants from disadvantaged communities
• Focus on skills training, career exploration education, economic supports, and work-based learning
• Creating clear pathways to employment in emerging and in-demand careers
• Recent investments totaling $4+ million to train over 1,200 participants

3. Social Justice and Community Resilience

• Cultivating and supporting local leaders who champion stronger, safer communities
• Priority funding for cohort-based model programs
• Focus areas: climate, energy, and economic justice
• Programs developing local leaders equipped with robust advocacy skills
• Emphasis on justice-based missions addressing inequities through systems change

4. Energy Affordability (Foundation-specific)

• Expanding access to affordable, energy-efficient housing
• Supporting energy cost relief programs
• Helping low-income communities access energy efficiency improvements

What They Don't Fund

• Operating costs (except capacity building)
• Capital campaigns
• Bricks and mortar construction projects
• Third-party support
• Event sponsorships
• Arts-related initiatives (not within current priorities)
• Medical/health-related initiatives (not within current priorities)
• Organizations outside Con Edison's service territory (NYC and Westchester)
• Back-dated requests for grant terms that have concluded

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Hilary S. Ayala serves as Executive Director of the Con Edison Foundation and Director of Strategic Partnerships Programs at Con Edison. In this dual leadership role, Ms. Ayala oversees the company's strategic philanthropic grants in clean energy and affordability, as well as employee engagement contributions and initiatives.

According to her professional philosophy, "philanthropy is more than just giving—it's about creating sustainable impact that aligns business and real community values." Her passion lies in developing innovative, strategic programs that bridge corporate responsibility with meaningful stakeholder engagement to build trusted relationships. Her approach to philanthropy focuses on turning vision into action by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, employees, and community stakeholders.

Board and Trustees: As a private foundation established in 2023, the Foundation maintains a governance structure separate from its parent company. Detailed board composition is available through the Foundation's Form 990-PF filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Concept Paper Submission

• Prospective grantees must submit a concept paper as the initial step
• Concept papers assess alignment with Con Edison's funding priorities
• Submission period: January 1 through April 30 (rolling review)
• Submissions received after April 30 will not be considered but may be resubmitted the following year
• Organizations must be able to provide measurable outcomes for communities within Con Edison service territories

Step 2: Invitation to Full Application

• Qualifying concept paper submissions receive an invitation to submit a formal grant application
• Invitations include an invitation code for accessing the online portal at coned.versaic.com
• Only invited organizations may submit full applications

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable entity, as described in Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Must be located in Con Edison's service territory (New York City and Westchester County)
• Must support one of Con Edison's grant funding priority areas
• Organizations can only receive one grant per calendar year
• Must demonstrate strong leadership team highly engaged with the communities served
• Must demonstrate high level of community input into the project or program

Decision Timeline

• Grant Cycle: January 1 - June 30
• Concept Paper Deadline: April 30 (rolling review throughout this period)
• Invitation to Full Application: Sent to qualifying organizations after concept paper review
• Decision Notification: Fall (typically September-November)
• Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from end of grant cycle to decision notification

Important Note: Since decisions are not made until fall of the current calendar year, funding requests should be planned accordingly. For example, if applying for a summer program, the request should be for the following year's summer program.

Success Rates

The program is highly competitive:

• 2025 Cycle: Over 300 grant submissions received
• Awards Made: Approximately 25-30 grants awarded (combining Foundation and corporate program)
• Estimated Success Rate: Approximately 8-10%
• 2015 Benchmark: 623 grants awarded in an earlier iteration of the program

The competitive nature reflects the program's selective approach to funding high-impact initiatives aligned with strategic priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations whose submissions are received after the April 30 deadline may resubmit the following year. The application materials do not specify a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants who submitted on time, suggesting reapplication in subsequent cycles is permitted. Contact the Strategic Partnerships team for specific guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on Con Edison's stated priorities and successful grantee profiles, strong applications demonstrate:

1. Measurable Community Impact

• Clear, quantifiable outcomes for communities within Con Edison service territories
• Specific metrics and evaluation frameworks
• Focus on serving disadvantaged or marginalized communities

2. Strong Leadership and Community Engagement

• Highly engaged leadership team with deep community connections
• High level of community input into project or program design
• Examples: Kenneth Adams (President, LaGuardia Community College) emphasized training individuals from public housing communities; Sabrina Lippman (CEO, Habitat for Humanity NYC/Westchester) highlighted sustainable home building and preservation

3. Justice-Based Mission and Systems Change

• Organizations with justice-based missions addressing inequities
• Demonstrated understanding of policy, advocacy, or community organizing
• Programs employing cohort-based models in climate, energy, and economic justice
• Approach focused on developing local leaders with robust advocacy skills

4. Alignment with Priority Areas

• Clear connection to climate adaptation/mitigation, clean energy careers, social justice/community resilience, or energy affordability
• Nature-based solutions for climate resilience
• Pathways to employment in clean energy fields
• Programs achieving strong completion rates (one successful program noted 85% completion rate)

5. Program Model Strengths

• Cohort-based training models preferred for workforce development
• Integration of certifications (e.g., EPA 608, OSHA 30)
• Multi-year program sustainability (Foundation recently funded 3-year initiatives)
• Capacity to serve significant numbers (recent grants support training 1,200+ participants)

6. Request Appropriateness

• Requests must be for program support or capacity building, not operating costs
• Grant amounts should align with typical ranges ($25,000-$150,000 for most grants)
• Larger requests ($750,000) supported for transformational, multi-year initiatives
• Projects should begin in future grant periods, not retrospectively

Quote from Foundation Leadership: Hilary Ayala emphasizes that successful partnerships create "sustainable impact that aligns business and real community values" through "meaningful stakeholder engagement to build trusted relationships."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Two-Stage Process is Critical: The concept paper is a gatekeeper—invest time in demonstrating clear alignment with funding priorities and measurable community impact before the April 30 deadline.

2. Geographic Restriction is Non-Negotiable: Only organizations serving New York City and Westchester County are eligible. Ensure your service area is clearly documented.

3. One Grant Per Year Limit: Organizations can only receive one grant per calendar year from Con Edison, so prioritize your strongest program for submission.

4. Competition is Intense: With 300+ applications for approximately 25-30 awards, only the most strategically aligned, high-impact proposals succeed. Stand out by demonstrating deep community engagement and systems-change approaches.

5. Justice and Equity Lens Required: Successful applications demonstrate commitment to serving disadvantaged communities and addressing inequities. Programs should show how they develop local leaders and advance climate, energy, or economic justice.

6. Measurable Outcomes Are Essential: Be prepared to provide specific, quantifiable metrics. Past successful programs have documented completion rates, participant numbers, and concrete employment outcomes.

7. Program Support Only: Don't request operating costs, capital campaigns, or event sponsorships. Frame requests around program delivery or capacity building with clear deliverables and community impact.

References

• Con Edison Foundation Official Website: https://www.conedisonfoundation.org/en/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Con Edison Apply for a Grant Page: https://www.coned.com/en/community-affairs/strategic-partnerships/apply-for-a-grant (Accessed February 2026)
• Con Edison Focus Areas: https://www.coned.com/en/community-affairs/strategic-partnerships/focus-areas (Accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Consolidated Edison Foundation Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/934767892 (Accessed February 2026)
• Con Edison Press Release: "$15 Million In Grants To Local Nonprofits" (October 9, 2025): https://www.coned.com/en/about-us/media-center/news/2025/10-09/con-edison-awards-$15-million-in-grants-to-local-nonprofits
• Con Edison Press Release: "$4 Million in Grants to Train New York's Next Clean Energy Workforce" (February 29, 2024): https://www.coned.com/en/about-us/media-center/news/2024/02-29/conedison-awards-4-million-in-grants
• Con Edison Press Release: "$4 Million to Support Climate Justice" (December 11, 2024): https://www.coned.com/en/about-us/media-center/news/2024/12-11/con-edison-awards-4-million
• Con Edison Foundation Grants Awarded Page: https://www.conedisonfoundation.org/en/investments (Accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Con Edison Corporate Giving Program: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&key=CONS036 (Accessed February 2026)
• Hilary S. Ayala LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-s-ayala-a50a0a10/ (Accessed February 2026)