Illinois American Water Recognizes American Water Charitable Foundation 2026 Water and Environment Grants – Company Announcement

Recipients embody 14 nonprofit organizations throughout Illinois

BELLEVILLE, Ill.
, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Water Charitable Foundationa philanthropic non-profit group established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the most important regulated water and wastewater utility firm within the U.S.and Illinois American Waterat this time introduced that 14 organizations had been awarded a 2026 Foundation Water and Environment grant, supporting communities served all through Illinois.

One container, The HeartLands Conservancyis reworking a part of the previous Metro East golf course into an interactive, academic pure habitat panorama.

“The HeartLands Conservancy is proud to be a 2026 Water and Environment grant recipient and is grateful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s continued partnership,” stated Mary VandevordPresident & CEO, The HeartLands Conservancy. “With this funding, the Conservancy will continue to advance Phase 4 of our Exploration Garden: A Raindrop’s Journey, bringing learning to life while demonstrating nature-based solutions that improve biodiversity and water quality, strengthen environmental stewardship, and benefit the Village of Swansea and greater region for generations to come.”

The Water and Environment grant is a part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, specializing in three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.

“The 2026 Water and Environment grant recipients are a true showcase of the valuable work taking place across our state to engage community members with ways we can work together to protect our watersheds,” he stated Rebecca LosliPresident, Illinois American Water andMember of the American Water Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees. “Illinois American Watertogether with the American Water Charitable Foundationremains committed to supporting the communities we serve through initiatives that promote sustainability.”

Illinois grantees embody:

American Farmland Trust – From Farm to Faucet, Pontiac, IL: To enhance floor water high quality within the Vermilion Headwaters Watershed.

Brand New Village – Community Rain Gardens, Alton, IL: To create youth-built rain gardens to cut back runoff and educate college students and households about watersheds.

FOKC, NFP – Friends of Kickapoo Creek (FOKC) Watershed Study, Peoria, IL: To assist future streambank erosion mitigation efforts in Kickapoo Creek, Peoria’s major watershed.

Fort Gondo, Inc – Granite City Art & Design District Rain Garden, Granite City, IL: To create an underground rain backyard and exhibition area, reworking rainfall into native habitat.

Friends of Tolono Public Library District – Community Garden Water Conservation Project, Tolono, IL: To introduce rain barrels and a drip water system for the brand new neighborhood backyard, rising backyard sustainability.

Gateway Region YMCA – Water Safety Education for At-Risk Youth in St. Clair County, East St. Louis, IL: To promote water security assets to college students and their households.

Grand Prairie Friends – Tackling Four Seasons of Invasive Plants Clean Water Series, Urbana, IL: To develop a landowner environmental training program in Embarras Watershed.

Greencastle of Sterling / Embrace Living Communities – Reducing Household Water Usage, Sterling, IL: To promote water conservation with a deal with low-income seniors and people with disabilities via the set up of low movement units.

The HeartLands Conservancy – Exploration Garden A Raindrop’s Journey Phase 4, Belleville, IL: To proceed reworking Clinton Hills Conservation Park into an interactive, neighborhood area designed to interact guests in understanding watersheds and ecosystems.

Jersey Community Unit School District #100 – Watershed Ambassadors Teaching Through Enviroscape Modeling, Jerseyville, IL: To create curriculum the place highschool college students educate elementary college students about environmental science.

Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation – Waterschool Summer Programs 2026, Godfrey, IL: To take away limitations for summer season programming by partaking regional youth in arms on water science, stewardship, and river recreation.

Nature on the Confluence, Inc. -Chronolog on the Confluence, South Beloit, IL: To set up a neighborhood science monitoring station on the Turtle Creek–Rock River confluence.

Peoria Park District Foundation – Illinois River Sweep, Peoria, IL: To conduct an annual neighborhood river cleanup, serving to to wash and defend the Illinois River shores in addition to associate with native faculties for Clean Water Solutions workshops.

Urbana Parks Foundation -Meadowbrook Park Stream Restoration, Urbana, IL: To restore McCullough Creekenhancing water high quality, biodiversity, and total habitat at Meadowbrook Park.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is delighted to support eligible nonprofit organizations making a meaningful impact across Illinois“he stated Carrie WilliamsPresident, American Water Charitable Foundation. “Funding for Water and Environment grants supports projects focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation.”

Learn extra about Illinois American Water’s neighborhood affect, here.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the most important regulated water and wastewater utility firm in the United States. With a historical past courting again to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by offering secure, clear, dependable and reasonably priced ingesting water and wastewater companies to roughly 14 million folks with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 navy installations. American Water‘s roughly 7,000 proficient professionals leverage their vital experience and the corporate’s nationwide measurement and scale to attain wonderful outcomes for the good thing about prospects, staff, buyers and different stakeholders. For extra data, go to amwater.com and be part of American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About American Water Charitable Foundation


The American Water Charitable Foundationa philanthropic non-profit group established by American Waterfocuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding via grants and matching presents to assist eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no affect on buyer charges. For extra data, go to amwater.com/awcf.

About Illinois American Water


Illinois American Watera subsidiary of American Wateris the most important regulated water utility within the state with roughly 600 devoted staff working to offer secure, clear, dependable and reasonably priced water and wastewater companies to roughly 1.3 million folks. American Water additionally operates a top quality management and analysis laboratory in Belleville.

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SOURCE American Water