PPL Foundation Awards Over Half a Million Dollars to Support Education and Community Revitalization

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The PPL Foundation has officially announced the latest recipients of its grant program, which is awarding more than half a million dollars to support 14 organizations that are working to empower the communities they serve.
The awards will support a variety of projects in PPL Foundation’s focus areas: education, workforce development and community revitalization. They raise PPL Foundation’s total giving in 2016 to more than $2 million.
“Throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania, there are tremendous organizations and people working to strengthen our communities and expand opportunities for those who might not otherwise have them,” said Ryan Hill, president of the PPL Foundation. “Their vision inspires us, and we’re pleased to provide support that helps them make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.”
PPL Foundation’s latest grant recipients include:
– AGAPE in Columbia County received $25,000 to help expand education and training programs aimed at lifting families from poverty. Funds will also support expansion of AGAPE’s food assistance programs.
– Bloomsburg University Foundation’s Regional STEM Education Center received $25,000 to help improve the quality of math and science teaching and expand STEM (science, technology, engineering and technology) education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups.
– Building 21 High School in Allentown received $25,000 to help complete renovations at the Allentown School District high school that employs an innovative model of experiential and personalized learning.
– Community Action Program of Lancaster County received $25,000 to support the renovation of distressed homes in Lancaster through the CAPital Workforce Development project.
– Commission on Economic Opportunity in Wilkes-Barre received $25,000 to help expand the capacity of its regional food bank.
– Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton received $75,000 to expand its Regional Educational Academy for Careers in Health-Higher Education Initiative to Scranton. The program mentors and interests students in science and medicine, encouraging many to be the first in their families to attend college.
– Communities in Schools in the Lehigh Valley received $25,000 to help students at risk of dropping out of school remain on track to graduate and be ready for the workforce after graduation.
– Community Bike Works in the Lehigh Valley received $25,000 to help expand its mentoring program, which teaches life lessons through bicycle mechanics to inner-city children living in at-risk situations.
– Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg received $60,000 for a mobile STEM lab that will traverse much of central and eastern Pennsylvania, reaching out to thousands of young girls in some of the most rural locations in PPL’s service territory.
– Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity received $25,000 to increase the sustainability of the organization’s ReStore initiative through staff and volunteer development. The ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center, whose proceeds are used to help support housing development.
– Nicholas Wolff Foundation – Camp Victory in Millville received $25,000 to expand services at a camp for children living with chronic health issues.
– Northampton County Area Community College Foundation received $25,000 to help ensure more students graduate or transfer on time with limited debt.
– Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Foundation received $50,000 to provide scholarships for college students who are focused on careers in energy but might not otherwise be able to afford an education. The PPL scholarships will help to bridge the gap between what the student can afford and the total education cost.
– Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region received $90,000 to help support construction of a new, larger community center that will allow the organization to meet growing demand for its services. The center will include an education wing for pre-kindergarten, after-school and summer youth programs.
PPL is committed to supporting communities across its 29-county service area and providing tools that help empower economic vitality.
The PPL Foundation awards grants in the spring and fall. The next grant cycle, which is for sustaining grants that assist organizations with general operating expenses, begins in January. Interested organizations can apply for grants from $1,000 to $25,000. To be considered for a grant, all organizations must apply online.
Please visit www.pplcares.com to learn more.