PGE Foundation Awards 39 Education Grants to Oregon Nonprofits

PORTLAND, OR – To help Oregon students better prepare themselves for success in college and beyond, the Portland General Electric Foundation awarded more than $488,000 in grants to education nonprofits throughout the state, the foundation said Thursday.

The grants announced April 6 are the first to go out in 2017. In 2016, the PGE Foundation awarded more than $1 million to community organizations focused on families, students, and arts and culture education.

"We're investing in organizations who share our commitment to powering the potential of Oregon's students," PGE Foundation Executive Director Kregg Arntson said in a statement. "Fostering vibrant, livable communities in our region depends on preparing our students for job opportunities fueled by Oregon's innovation economy. Together, we are helping our students, our communities, our businesses and our state to thrive."

According to PGE spokeswoman Rachel DeRosia, the grants were awarded based on an organization's commitment to assisting students as they transition through the educational system, such as providing tools to help students succeed or preparing students for the workforce through direct job skills training programs.

For example, she said, College Possible was awarded $15,000 to continue supporting low-income students through a summer program designed to give students the knowledge and resources they need to successfully transition into college.

"A college degree is the likeliest pathway out of poverty," said Julie Mancini, executive director of College Possible. "Funds from the PGE Foundation support low-income students through key barriers, like understanding the financial aid resources available to them and making sure they've completed the requirements necessary to gain admittance and enroll in college. Thanks to the support of our strong partners, our students are reaching their dreams of higher education and breaking the cycle of generational poverty, changing their lives and strengthening our community."

The PGE Foundation awarded 39 grants for its first quarter of the year, giving special consideration to those that showed an emphasis on programs boosting Career Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculums, DeRosia said.

Saturday Academy, which offers STEM academic camps to students in grades 2 through 12, also received $15,000 for its STEAM Academy, a multi-week academic summer camp for youth in the Portland area that combines academic tutoring with hand-on education.

"At Saturday Academy, we are dedicated to providing opportunities for young people to follow their curiosity –– regardless of their financial means. We connect them to people and experiences that will help them develop intellectually and prepare them for rewarding careers," said Jeri Janowsky, executive director of Saturday Academy. "Through this grant, PGE Foundation is helping address the equity gap in education by supporting our efforts to ensure that all Portland area children are able to follow their curiosity through innovative, hands-on learning."

The PGE Foundation is accepting grant applications for the June awards until April 10. For September awards, the application period will open from June 1 to July 10.

Click here to check eligibility and apply for a grant.

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