News Releases

Stream quality and sustainable energy education are two Pocono region initiatives funded this year by the PPL Foundation.

The Brodhead Watershed Association will receive $3,000 toward the operation of its Adopt-A-Stream program so more than 70 volunteers can continue to conduct data collection on local waters.

The Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry, will receive $5,000 to provide educational programs regarding renewable energy, sustainable energy technologies and sustainable energy design to more than 1,000 students between the ages of eight and 17, mostly from northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Improving the quality of life in our communities is an important goal, and these two grants support that,” said Alana Roberts, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. “We’re glad to be able to support those who care about the environment.”

The awards announced today (6/28) will support a variety of projects in PPL Foundation’s focus areas: education, workforce development and community revitalization. The Foundation’s Sustaining Grants, ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 each, provide organizations with funding for specific projects or general operating funds.

In addition to the grants for the watershed group and education center, other initiatives and projects in northeast Pennsylvania that received support through the PPL Foundation Sustaining Grant program include:

• Lacawac Sanctuary received a $6,000 grant to support its Youth Engaging Science (YES) program.

• CAN DO Foundation, Hazleton received a $20,000 grant to help fund a small-business incubator in downtown Hazleton.

• United Way of Greater Hazleton received $15,000 to partner with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The library program provides enrolled children with one free book each month from birth to age 5.

• Wilkes University Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development received $10,000 for research on important issues ranging from community revitalization to education and social services.

• Diamond City Partnership, Wilkes-Barre received a $5,500 to support the group’s downtown retail recruitment initiative.

• Pennsylvania Envirothon received $8,000 for its events organized in cooperation with county conservation districts.

In addition, grants went to the organizations below for the listed mission or program:

• Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition ($3,000) — Delaware River Sojourn Project

• Honesdale Communities That Care ($1,000) — Academic assistance for underprivileged children

• Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Scranton ($1,000) — Big Brothers Big Sisters in Monroe County

• Skills in Scranton Business Education Partnership ($5,000) — public utility workforce development

• Scranton Neighborhood Housing Services ($2,500) — Light the Town initiative

• Scranton Area Foundation Inc. ($2,000) — Women in Philanthropy’s STEAM Launch Event

• Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress ($5,000) — Main Street program

• Hazleton Integration Project Inc. ($5,000) — After School Scholars program

• Concerned Parents of the Hazleton Area ($1,000) — Scholarships for English as second language classes

• Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership ($2,000) — Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails

• Employment Opportunity & Training Center of Northeastern Pa. ($5,000) — Job Group career services

• Leadership Lackawanna ($1,000) — program support

Additionally, contributions were made to the Osterhout Free Library and other literacy-focused organizations in support of Cover to Cover, the PPL Foundation’s new initiative to improve child literacy through reading and summer learning programs.

A complete list of grant recipients is available online.

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 spring and fall. The next grant cycle — for major grants — begins in August. To be considered for a grant, all organizations must apply online.

Please visit www.pplcares.com to learn more.

About the PPL Foundation: Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports organizations that are doing innovative and groundbreaking work to create vital, sustainable communities and empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. The PPL Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in north and central Pennsylvania.