News Releases

Making good choices on important issues ranging from community revitalization to education and social services requires reliable research, data and best practices.

The Wilkes University Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development provides just that for decision-makers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

The PPL Foundation is supporting that effort with a $10,000 grant.

“The Wilkes reports can aid in all aspects of community life,” said Alana Roberts, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. “The indicators are a vital tool in understanding the region and undertaking viable projects to improve the standard of living and quality of life for all.”

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 grant to Wilkes University, other initiatives and projects in northeast Pennsylvania that received support through the PPL Foundation Sustaining Grant program include:

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

• 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

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

• 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

• Pocono Environmental Education Center ($5,000) — sustainable energy education

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

• Brodhead Watershed Association ($3,000) — Adopt-A-Stream Program

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

• 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.