Columbia Gas of Ohio Public Safety Grant 2026
Columbia Gas of Ohio, through the NiSource Charitable Foundation, is accepting 2026 Public Safety Grant applications for local safety education and first responder training projects across its Ohio service footprint.
Funding and deadline
Awards range from $500 to $5,000 per organization. The 2026 application window opened September 1, 2026 and closes October 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM. The controlling public materials do not state a time zone, so Atlas does not infer one. No mandatory match or cost share requirement is identified in the current public materials.
Eligibility and program focus
Applicants must be a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or apply through an identified 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner. Programs and initiatives must benefit the Columbia Gas of Ohio service area and customers, have defined goals, align with the company’s Basic Needs and Safety giving priority, and demonstrate alignment, organizational resources, visibility, measurable community impact, and safety training capability.
The program is relevant to emergency services and organizations delivering public safety education and first responder training. Prior funded examples include EMT certification training, fire safety education, air monitoring training, rescue training, and other public safety initiatives.
Submission and required materials
Applications are submitted through the YourCause grant portal. Columbia Gas of Ohio’s official application guide instructs applicants to select Ohio, choose State Impact Grant, select Basic Needs and Safety as the giving pillar, select the most accurate community need such as General Safety, and then select Public Safety Grant under the Ohio Program. The guide specifically requires an uploaded Board of Directors document; a leadership team document is acceptable instead. Applicants should complete all remaining portal questions and review the submission carefully before filing.
Questions may be directed to COH_Community_Engagement@nisource.com or KRozsa@nisource.com.
Atlas fit assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 74/100. N9+ Fit Score: 15/100. This is a legitimate Ohio first responder and public safety training opportunity, but the current program is training centered and does not establish a clear role for the Nonagon N9+ device and platform or QC Healthcare. Atlas should not force a device or vendor fit. Dr. Miltie or QC Healthcare also does not appear to be a direct eligible applicant absent a qualifying 501(c)(3) structure or partner.
Official program page: Columbia Gas of Ohio Public Safety Grant
Official application guide: How to Apply for a Public Safety Grant