News Releases

PPL Montana’s Community Fund announced Friday (10/11) that it will award a combined $100,000 in grants this fall to 14 nonprofit organizations across the state to support programs that help those in need, strengthen local communities and preserve the region’s rich heritage.

The new round of grants raises to more than $1.8 million the amount PPL Montana’s Community Fund has contributed to local organizations over the past nine years.

“At PPL Montana, we’re pleased to be able to give back in a way that strengthens the communities we call home.” said Lisa Perry, manager of Community Affairs for PPL Montana.

The Community Fund awards $100,000 in grants each spring and fall. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and support programs that improve the quality of life in the state. Grant recipients are selected by an advisory board that includes 18 individuals from the company and local communities.

Recipients are chosen from among dozens of grant applications. This fall’s grant recipients are:

Boys & Girls Club of Lewistown, Lewistown, $9,260 – to renovate the pantry so this heavily used facility can comfortably and safely provide snacks and meals to students and provide a safe and educational haven for summer and after-school programs.

Butte Family YMCA, Butte, $10,000 – to support the Active 6 Program, which helps sixth-graders get and stay involved in healthy activities, make positive choices and increase self–esteem. One hundred percent of Butte elementary schools participate in this program.

Butte High School, Butte, $1,000 - to support the annual Engineers Week. A number of local engineers, including PPL employees, volunteer their time to work with about 60 advanced physics students at Butte High School.

Community Leadership and Development, Billings, $5,000 – founded by state Rep. Dave Hagstrom, this organization focuses on the South Side of Billings and works with at-risk individuals to encourage positive change through training, development and counseling. This grant will support the Youth Works program, which teaches landscaping and business models.

Great Falls Rescue Mission, Great Falls, $7,500 – to support youth after-school and summer programs that develop life and academic skills.

Helena Habitat for Humanity, Helena, $10,000 – to improve energy efficiency and other needed repairs through the Brush with Kindness program, which provides critical repairs and maintenance to homes that are owned and occupied by income-challenged people.

Howard Community Club, Forsyth, $10,000 – to build a new roof on this 108-year-old building, which was added to the National Historic Register in 2004. This historic school now acts as a community center and hosts meetings, parties and dances.

Missoula Aging Services, Missoula, $2,800 – to serve as a match for federal funding for the Foster-Grandparent program.  This program places individuals over the age of 55 in local schools and preschools and helps at-risk children with their social, emotional and intellectual development.

Pondera Shooting Sports Club, Conrad, $5,000 - to support this shooting sports club turned community center with its outdoor area and complete its sidewalks and parking lot. The building is used for meetings, receptions, graduations, weddings, reunions and more.

SAVAGE Inc., Savage, $10,000 – to help this small community assisted living facility update its restrooms to ensure they meet all accessibility standards.

Treasure County ‘89ers Museum and Yucca Theatre, Hysham, $7,500 – to assist in repairs to this distinctive building, focusing on siding, windows and roof. This building was built in 1931 and is being used for movies and public entertainment events.

Trout Creek School, Trout Creek, $10,000 – to fund free preschool education for children in the Sanders County community. This early intervention can help students develop literacy and social skills while introducing them to the arts and sciences.

Writing Coaches of Missoula, Missoula, $4,400 – to expand a writing program to Bonner School that provides individualized writing instruction to middle and high school students. The ability to think and write clearly is vital to ensure success in college and in employment.

Yellowstone CASA, Billings, $10,000 - to recruit and train eight volunteers to serve as advocates for children in the courtroom.

PPL Montana provides safe, reliable energy from coal-fired power plants at Colstrip and Billings, as well as 11 hydroelectric plants along West Rosebud Creek and the Missouri, Madison, Clark Fork and Flathead rivers. It has a combined generating capacity of more than 1,200 megawatts and has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. PPL Montana and its 500 employees are dedicated to Montana and its communities, supporting educational, environmental and economic development programs across the state. PPL EnergyPlus operates a trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power for PPL Montana in wholesale and retail energy markets throughout the western United States. PPL Montana and PPL EnergyPlus are subsidiaries of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). More information about PPL Montana is available at www.pplmontana.com.