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In a major boost to education across Pennsylvania, PPL Corporation has awarded nearly $1.5 million in donations this year to 101 colleges, universities, schools and educational programs supported by local non-profits. PPL also matched employee donations with another $263,000 for dozens of high schools, trade schools and colleges. Contributions ranged in size from $1,000 to more than $100,000. Recipients are literally an A to Z of well-respected educational institutions across Pennsylvania, nearby and elsewhere.

"PPL believes contributions toward education are very sound investments in our communities," said Don Bernhard, director of Community Affairs. "Whether the recipients are exceptional pre-K programs in low income communities or trade schools and colleges that provide a pipeline of future skilled workers, these grants will pay dividends for years to come."

Under the Education Improvement Tax Credit program, the state encourages businesses to contribute toward scholarship and pre-kindergarten programs and educational improvement organizations to expand educational opportunities for students. Since the program began in 2001, PPL has contributed more than $10.7 million toward education in the state. The recipients must be qualified by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

For the first time this year, the company donated to high-quality pre-K programs with nearly $600,000 in donations.  Among the recipients were: Community Services for Children (Allentown), United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Danville School, Pocono Services for Families and Children, United Way of Lackawanna County, United Way of Lancaster, and United Way of Wyoming Valley.

"Studies consistently show that participation in strong early childhood education programs provides youngsters with a critical foundation for learning. We are providing financial support to programs that meet rigorous state standards for quality. These programs have proven to help children overcome disadvantages and develop essential skills for lifelong success," said Bernhard. "This initiative is part of the company's larger commitment to support programs and institutions that enhance the quality of life in the communities where we operate."

PPL also awarded grants to 8 scholarship programs, including those sponsored by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, the United Way of the Wyoming Valley, based in Wilkes-Barre, United Disabilities Services of Lancaster, Community Friends Educational Corp. (Greenwood Friends School) of Millville, and Moravian Academy of Bethlehem.

Forty non-profit organizations received grants for their efforts to create and enhance innovative academic programs at public schools, such as enhanced science studies, careers education, performing arts, reading and math enrichment classes, and teacher training.

These organizations include: Allentown Art Museum, the Allentown Boys and Girls Club, Allentown Symphony, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley, DaVinci Discovery Center, Greater Hazleton Partners In Education, Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, Junior Achievement, Lancaster Science Factory, Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership, National Civil War Museum (Harrisburg), Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Employers Council, SkillsUSA of Allentown, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster).

Other recipients of PPL educational grants were:  Commonwealth Medical College, DeSales University, Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College, Marywood University, Lackawanna College, Millersville University, and Penn State Harrisburg for the power engineering lab.

Employees who participate in PPL's matching gifts for education program donated to 28 high schools and trade schools, 52 colleges, and 68 universities. 

PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), headquartered in Allentown, Pa., through its affiliated companies, owns or controls about 19,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets, and delivers electricity and natural gas to about 10 million customers in the United States and the United Kingdom. More information is available at www.pplweb.com.           

SOURCE PPL Corporation