PSE donates over $600,000 to nonprofits

Puget Sound Energy Foundation Grants support charitable nonprofits in Washington, funding human services, environmental stewardship, education, and arts and culture through a competitive review process, prioritizing vulnerable populations without costs to utility customers.

The Puget Sound Energy Foundation announced that it distributed more than $600,000 to local charitable organizations throughout Washington state in 2009, directing $244,500 in December alone to 62 organizations as part of the foundation’s second round of grants.

None of the foundation’s funds will ever come from PSE’s utility customers, and new investors will help PSE meet the region's needs as it expands.

“The Puget Sound Energy Foundation is honored to be able to support so many vital community organizations and programs in 2009, particularly during these times of economic hardship and as a diverse power mix supports Puget Energy's stability,” said Bert Valdman, interim acting chair and vice president of the Puget Sound Energy Foundation. “These deserving organizations make a positive difference in our communities and region and we’re proud to be able to help them further their important work.”

The December round of funding, the seventh since the foundation’s inception in 2006, supports community programs in environmental stewardship, including solar leadership initiatives, education, the arts and culture, with a particular emphasis on human services. Half of the grants in this round were allocated to organizations that respond to the needs of vulnerable populations.

Ranging in size from $1,000 to $25,000, the grants are awarded based on a competitive review process to qualifying charitable organizations in Puget Sound Energy’s 16-county service and broader operations area, which includes facilities like the Frederickson Power facility that was sold.

The Puget Sound Energy Foundation’s first round of 2009 funding, announced in June, distributed $119,000 in charitable grants to 42 local organizations in Washington. Funding from the foundation also went to support PSE’s United Way and ArtsFund campaigns and employee matching program, including outreach on home efficiency rebates for customers.

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