Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of impact does Columbia’s charitable contributions program make in the communities the company serves?
Columbia’s charitable contributions program annually awards thousands of dollars to qualifying organizations across Maryland whose work makes a real difference in the communities served by the company. Grants support arts and education programs that inspire creativity in our regions youth, downtown revitalization and economic development opportunities across our communities, and programs that help adults and children remain safe in their own homes and communities. The goal of our corporate contributions program is to help make the communities we serve better places to live and work for our customers and employees alike.
My organization appears to fit within your focus. Will you fund my organization?
We can't make an assessment about a partnership between any organization and Columbia Gas of Maryland. That is why we have a special grant application process – so that all organizations are on the same level playing field when they request funds from us. All grant requests are processed through our application system and reviewed by our grant review board to ensure every organization receives a fair chance of receiving funding. It is very important that all grants provide an impact in Columbia Gas of Maryland’s service territory (see map).
How long will it take before I hear about the status of my request?
Our review process is ongoing. Because Columbia's fiscal year does not necessarily match the different fiscal years of many non-profits, we decided to make the review process ongoing. It may take us a little more time to read everything we have, but it is more flexible in matching the different fiscal years and programs of the thousands of non-profit organizations we hear from each year.
Will Columbia Gas sponsor my organizations upcoming special event / fundraiser?
Given Columbia’s role as a supporter of the communities we serve, from time to time we do support targeted special events that reinforce our commitment to those communities. However, we prefer to fund programs that deliver a long-term benefit to our communities over a one-time event. Walks / races and similar events are supported through employee involvement and company matching funds.