Strategic Partnerships
Con Edison has a long tradition of contributing to and maintaining the social, cultural, and economic vitality of our service areas. To do this, we’ve committed ourselves to providing financial or in-kind support to organizations whose activities advance strong, vibrant, and stable communities. We choose these groups carefully, looking to their ability to use education, training, and special programs and events, to enrich the quality of life of all New Yorkers.
As on example of recognition for our community partnership activity, in a speech in Brooklyn on October 25 President Obama recognized Con Edison for our partnership with Energy Tech High School, which prepares young people for careers in the energy industry.
Power of Giving
Con Edison’s Power of Giving program extends beyond cash grants and is enhanced by a strong and loyal corps of employee and retiree volunteers, a robust board participation program, partnerships and collaborations and an education matching gift program.
Power of Giving
Cash Grants
Con Edison supports:
- Education groups with programs in math, science, engineering, energy, and technology for students from kindergarten through college.
- Environmental stewardship partners with programs that focus on energy efficiency, preservation of naturalresources and parklands, environmental education, and green careers.
- Community partnership groups that focus on youth, law enforcement, housing services, landmarks preservation, education, and diversity.
- Civic programs that provide young people ages 8 to 18 with the skills and opportunities for lifelong civic engagement. We seek to create interest in the democratic process by providing young people with the skills necessary to voice their opinions, affect policy changes, and remain civically engaged throughout their lives.
- Arts and culture organizations that contribute to society in a variety of ways from presenting visual and performing arts to the public to providing arts in education.
- A volunteer program that gives company employees, retirees, and their families a chance to donate their time and resources to make a difference in the communities we serve. Volunteers participate in diverse and innovative activities at nonprofits throughout New York City and Westchester County. Con Edison employees and retirees donated more than 5,900 volunteer hours across New York City and Westchester County in 2013.
Con Edison also has a Board Participation Program through which employees serve on the governing boards of more than 150 nonprofit groups we support. That number increases every year. Our participation on nonprofit boards strengthens our relationships with our nonprofit partners, increases our awareness of community issues, fosters a corporate culture of community involvement, and helps employees develop new skills.
Along with our support, Con Edison also helps create synergies between community-based groups through partnerships and collaboration. We actively seek opportunities to foster partnerships and collaborations among nonprofits by connecting them with each other through programs or projects we support.
Con Edison enhances its support of nonprofit organizations through in-kind, non-cash donations. For example, we donate compact fluorescent light bulbs, services, and loaned labor, whereby an employee with a particular expertise or skill assists a nonprofit on a short-term project or program.
Con Edison provides a double match for employee and retiree academic gifts up to $3,000, and a single match for gifts of $3,001 up to a maximum of $7,500 in one calendar year.
Year in Review
Con Edison supports about 1,200 nonprofit organizations in New York City and Westchester County whose programs illustrate our dedication to healthy and sustainable communities. We commit our time and nearly $8 million in charitable funding to groups that focus on five areas:
- Education in science, technology, engineering, energy, and mathematics
- Environmental stewardship
- Community partnerships
- Civics
- Arts and culture
Our Power of Giving program is more than cash grants. It also includes a strong and loyal volunteer corps, employee participation on nonprofit governing boards, partnerships and collaborations, in-kind contributions, and company matching of employee donations.
Con Edison, Inc. Charitable Contributions Program Funding
(MILLION $)
- Arts & Culture
- Community Partnerships
- Environmental
- Education
- Matching Gifts
- Civics
Organizations We Support
Con Edison is a proud supporter of more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations throughout our service territory. Our support is focused on groups that contribute to education, arts and culture, civics, the environment, and community partnerships. A full list of organizations Con Edison supports is available here.
Green City Force - since 2010 (City-Wide)
Green City Force provides workforce training in the green field for urban young adults. Corps membership is open to 18-24 year-olds who live in NYC public housing, have a GED or high school diploma, but lack the experience, networks, and academics to succeed in securing career-track employment or getting into and staying in college. They do this through a six-month program combining national service, academics, training, and work experience related to the clean energy economy and sustainability. Throughout the program, Corps members are supported through monthly stipends, transportation, and case management. Upon completion, they receive an AmeriCorps educational award and assistance on their college or career paths. Con Edison’s support helps to abate youth unemployment in low-income communities and increases the impact of energy efficiency in such neighborhoods. Green City Force’s focus on energy efficiency exposes Corps members to a field with entry-level opportunities, transferable skills (such as sales and marketing) that can apply to other sectors, as well as potential to advance along a career path.
The Forest Park Trust - since 2003 (Queens)
Con Edison funds the Landscape Stewardship Program which teaches young adults garden maintenance and forest restoration. The program will give participants a better awareness of the problems that plague their local urban park through projects where they will take personal responsibility in its protection and improvement. The program offers young adults a positive physical bond to their local park, while learning how to restore and maintain landscapes.
Brooklyn Navy Yard - since 2003 (Brooklyn)
Con Edison supports the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s exhibitions and programs highlighting the sustainability initiatives of the LEED Platinum Building 92, and education and innovation in the economic development of Brooklyn’s new manufacturing class, as well as the rich and unique role of the Navy Yard in the history of the borough.
Staten Island Historical Society - since 1990
The mission of the Staten Island Historical Society is to create opportunities for the public to explore the diversity of the American experience, especially that of Staten Island and its neighboring communities, from the colonial period to the present day. To accomplish this, the Society engages in the following activities: operating and interpreting Historic Richmond Town, the largest and most comprehensive historic museum complex in New York City; collecting and preserving the materials of everyday life, including the artifacts, archives, and buildings that tell the story; conducting and promoting research based on the museum's collections; and sharing the collection and knowledge with the public through creative and engaging interpretive activities. In addition to Richmond Town, the Society operates the Decker Farm – one of only two fully-functioning farms in NYC. Con Edison is a corporate member of the Staten Island Historical Society.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Staten Island, Inc. - since 2009
Neighborhood Housing Services of Staten Island (NHSSI) is an independent (not part of NHS of NYC), not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create and maintain sustainable and livable communities where families are in homes that are affordable, well-designed, rehabilitated, and maintained in a manner that supports the health and safety of residents. They envision a place where housing is not a financial burden and families are financially secure. Con Edison supports NHS Home Maintenance Sustainability Workshops which educate homeowners on the value, benefits, incentives, and skills for performing home energy improvements.
Greenburgh Nature Center - since 1994 (Westchester)
The mission of the Greenburgh Nature Center, also known as Nunataks, Ltd., is to offer inspiring, hands-on environmental education experiences, foster an appreciation of nature, and promote sustainable practices. Its vision is to be an educational leader in the region that advances environmental literacy, and to be a model of best sustainable practices while providing enriching hands-on visitor experiences and a venue for community activities. Con Edison supports “Teaching Trails” programming, which builds on the Nature Center's network of green education experiences for inter-generational exploration. This includes the Nature's Discovery Playground, the Sustainable Barnyard, and the Green Roof Educational Exhibit. Con Edison's support helps to promote natural experiences through science and environmental education and opportunities for outdoor exploration.