PPL Corporation Monday announced the formation of the PPL Foundation, which will partner with community organizations to improve the lives of people in the communities served by the company.

With two application cycles each year, the PPL Foundation will offer sustaining grants between $1,000 and $25,000 to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of education, community and economic development, and environmental stewardship.

Applications for major grants are due October 8.

The PPL Foundation will support a variety of nonprofit organizations, with a special focus on those that support early education, community revitalization and workforce development.

“For nearly a century, PPL has strived to empower the communities in which we live, work and serve by delivering reliable energy service, philanthropic contributions and support for community development and education,” said Bill Spence, chairman, president and Chief Executive Officer of PPL Corporation. “The PPL Foundation will carry this legacy forward through strategic partnerships in support of organizations doing innovative and groundbreaking work to create vital, sustainable communities and empower each citizen to fulfill her or his potential.”

In making major grants, the PPL Foundation will focus on three areas:

-- Education - Building a strong foundation is critical to the success of today’s students. Contributions in this area will be focused on early childhood education, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs in distressed areas to ensure that as many children as possible have access to high-quality education.

-- Community revitalization – A strong community is one in which all residents are empowered to fulfill their potential. Safe housing, prepared emergency response teams, accessible hospitals and even vibrant arts and cultural opportunities all work together to create a healthy community.

-- Workforce development – Over the next decade, the utility industry will undergo tremendous change. PPL is updating its infrastructure, building new power lines, installing smart grid systems, improving reliability and exploring new opportunities to help customers use energy wisely. A diverse, highly-trained workforce will be critical to continue this challenging work.

It will offer major grants ranging between $25,000 and $100,000 to nonprofit organizations with a particular focus on education, community revitalization and workforce development. 

The PPL Foundation’s mission is to empower economic vitality and quality of life by promoting and enabling vital, sustainable communities, empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his full potential.

Interested organizations can find more information the PPL Cares website.

NewsClip:

PPL Foundation Updates Application Process For Nonprofits

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