Puget Sound Energy Foundation Awards 61 Grants to Local Organizations in 12 Washington State Counties as Part of First Funding Round in 2010

The Puget Sound Energy Foundation will distribute $155,000 through 61 grants to local charitable organizations throughout Washington as part of its first of two funding rounds in 2010.

Ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, the grants are awarded based on a competitive review process of applications from qualifying 501(c) (3) charitable organizations in Puget Sound Energy's service and operations area.

"The Puget Sound Energy Foundation is proud to help local organizations that provide support to our customers," said Andy Wappler, chair and president of the Puget Sound Energy Foundation. "We understand how important funding is to charitable organizations--and even more so during these tough economic times. The foundation, our company and employees work hard to meet the needs of our communities."

More than half of the grants in this funding round, the eighth since the foundation's inception in 2006, support human services organizations that respond to the needs of vulnerable populations. Other recipients include organizations with programs in environmental stewardship, education, and the arts and culture.

Not included in this round of funding are additional funds contributed by the foundation to support PSE's United Way and ArtsFund workplace giving campaigns. PSE and its employees also donate professional expertise and employee hours to support beneficial community activities and programs. "We are constantly looking at ways we can extend our commitment to the communities we serve," said Wappler.

Puget Energy, the parent company of PSE, created the foundation in 2006 with a $15 million endowment to ensure that support of community initiatives remains strong in the utility's service and operations area regardless of business or economic conditions, and that PSE's history of community involvement will continue for generations. The foundation endowment received a $5 million boost in 2009 from PSE's investors following the merger with Puget Holdings LLC. None of the foundation's funds will ever come from PSE's utility customers.

Following a review of more than 121 applications, the following non-profit organizations are the 2010 Puget Sound Energy Foundation first-round grant recipients:

Island County:

• Senior Services of Island County
• Whidbey Island Hospital Foundation 

Jefferson County:

• Centrum Foundation
• Gathering Place
• Jefferson County Historical Society
• Jumping Mouse Children's Center 

King County:

• 5th Avenue Theatre Association
• Audubon Washington
• Bellevue Boys & Girls Club
• City of Bellevue Arts Program
• City of Enumclaw
• Corporate Council for the Arts
• Downtown Emergency Service Center
• EarthCorps
• El Centro de la Raza
• Food Lifeline
• Foundation for Private Enterprise Education
• Friends of KEXP
• Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
• Friends of Youth
• Greater Maple Valley Community Center
• Helping Link
• K-12 Ventures
• King County Library System Foundation
• Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing
• KUOW-Puget Sound Public Radio
• Medical Teams International
• Northwest Parks Foundation
• Pacific Northwest Ballet Association
• Pediatric Interim Care Center, Inc.
• Pike Market Senior Center
• Puget Sound Blood Center and Program
• Rotary First Harvest
• Seattle Milk Fund
• Vashon Youth & Family Services
• Woodland Park Zoological Society 

Kitsap County:

• Central Stage Theatre of County Kitsap
• IslandWood
• South Kitsap Helpline 

Kittitas County:

• Kittitas County Historical Society, Inc. 

Klickitat County:

• Maryhill Museum of Art 

Lewis County:

• Growing Places Farm & Energy Park
• Lewis County Literacy Council 

Pierce County:

• Children's Museum of Tacoma
• Communities in Schools of Puyallup
• Safe Streets Campaign
• University of Washington Foundation – Tacoma 

Skagit County:

• Anacortes Park Foundation for the Tommy Thompson Trail 

Snohomish County:

• Assistance League of Everett Washington
• East County Senior Center
• Little Red School House Inc.
• Senior Services of Snohomish County
• Snohomish Artist Guild 

Thurston County:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County
• Child Care and Educational Services
• Olympia Symphony Orchestra
• Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
• United Way of Thurston County 

Whatcom County:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County
• Visiting Nurses Personal Services
• Whatcom County Council on Aging, Inc.

Return to July 2010 Western Energy News

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