Evanston is participating in an energy efficiency community challenge that could earn a local nonprofit $25,000 in prize money, according to a city news release.

The city is participating in the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program Community Challenge, running from February through April, to reduce community energy usage, according to the news release. For every homeowner or business that participates in one of the six existing Nicor Gas energy efficiency programs, the city will receive $50 in prize money, up to a total of $25,000. Nicor Gas may also reward the city $85,000 in rebate and incentive offerings to be applied toward a community project.

The Evanston community can vote online to choose the beneficiary. Candidates include the Child Care Center of Evanston, Evanston History Center, McGaw YMCA and the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, according to the release. The chosen organization will receive an energy efficiency retrofit using the prize money earned in addition to the rebate and incentive money. The city will distribute the prize money April 30, the day the challenge ends.

Nicor Gas hosts the challenge as a new initiative to help foster energy efficiency awareness and actions in local communities. The challenge currently takes place in Evanston and Oak Park and may expand into other communities in the future.

— Jia You