News Releases

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Dec. 3, 2019) – The PPL Foundation recently awarded more than $575,000 in funding to support 13 nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives and well-being of individuals throughout Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. 

The foundation’s latest investments support innovative programs such as a cybersecurity laboratory to help a community college expand its curriculum in a growing industry, an after-school program to engage at-risk students and allow them to explore their career opportunities, the expansion of a rural county’s lone homeless shelter and a grassroots initiative to help stem the spread of gun violence in Allentown.

“Our goals are to help build safe, strong and vibrant communities in which everyone can reach their full potential, and to support education that opens the door to opportunity and success for today’s youth,” said Ryan Hill, PPL Foundation president. “We are continuously inspired by the caring, commitment and creativity of the many nonprofit organizations who make a lasting difference in our communities, and this year’s grant recipients are no exception. We’re proud to support their efforts.”

The grants announced today are helping organizations fulfill their missions across the company’s 29-county service territory in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania.

The 2019 PPL Foundation Major Grant recipients are:

• Allentown Economic Development Corporation received a grant of $50,000 for a collaborative project to enhance a makerspace in the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center in Allentown to focus on industrial arts instruction for local after-school programs.
• American Rescue Workers in Williamsport received a grant of $40,000 for a project to make critical structural improvements to the only shelter providing services for homeless families in Lycoming County. 
• Hazleton Area Recreation Program received a grant of $45,000 for a youth recreation program that is  filling a void in the community for after-school recreational and mentoring opportunities.
• Joshua Group in Harrisburg received a grant of $25,000 to help expand the number of children being served by a vital after-school program.
• Lancaster Equity Inc. received a grant of $40,000 for the development of a new park and playground on Beaver Street, a direct request of neighbors in the community who are working collaboratively to improve the community.
• Northampton County Area Community College Foundation received a grant of $35,000 for a cybersecurity laboratory and equipment to provide students expanded opportunities in this growing industry.
• Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education Foundation received a grant of $50,000 for the development of an innovative fund that will be used to provide faculty and staff resources to develop, test and quickly implement ideas to help transform public higher education in Pennsylvania.
• Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley received a grant of $50,000 for Zero Youth Violence, a grassroots program aimed at stemming gun violence in Allentown.
• Summit Early Learning in Lewisburg received a grant of $47,000 to develop a makerspace program for Head Start classrooms in Snyder County, providing training materials for teachers and exposing young students to STEM concepts.
• Tabor Community Services in Lancaster received a grant of $50,000 to expand the capacity of its eviction prevention program to help stabilize neighborhoods by providing at-risk tenants with financial counseling, mediation with landlords and short-term financial assistance.
• The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology in Allentown received a grant of $45,000 for a teambuilding STEM competition for all fourth-grade students in the Allentown School District.  
• The Galaxy Fund in Allentown received a grant of $50,000 to support the Learning Dome at Dieruff High School.
• Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance received a grant of $50,000 for SHINE, an after-school program that supports at-risk students in three rural school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania.  

Earlier this year, the PPL Foundation awarded $450,000 in sustaining grants to more than 70 community organizations. The PPL Foundation also contributed more than $2 million to support  local United Way organizations. Today’s announcement brings the Foundation’s 2019 community contributions to more than $3 million.

The PPL Foundation awards grants in spring and fall. The next grant cycle, 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.

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About the PPL Foundation
Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports organizations that are doing innovative and groundbreaking work to create vibrant, sustainable communities and supporting children’s success from cradle to career. The PPL Foundation contributes more than $3 million annually to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.