The PGE Foundation is the philanthropic endeavor of Portland General Electric, a public utility company based in Portland, Oregon, and providing power to communities throughout the state. The foundation’s grantmaking efforts are especially concentrated in those communities where Portland General Electric operates. PGE Foundation “works in collaboration with the community to help improve educational outcomes, inspire critical thinking through arts experiences and strengthen family stability.”
Since 1997, when the foundation was born, it has provided close to twenty million dollars in grants across Oregon. Foundation Executive Director Kregg Arntson is also Portland General Electric’s director of corporate social responsibility, and the members of its ten-person board are all affiliated with Portland General Electric, as employees (or retired employees) of the company or members of its own board.
Major Program Categories: PGE Foundation focuses on education, arts education, and safe and stable families. Education grants focus on improving achievement in middle school through college-level programs, and emphasizing career-readiness through both technical knowledge and soft skills.
Adjacent to general education giving is PGE’s focus on arts education, which strives to increase access to arts and culture through integrated curriculum and experiences for youth.
Finally, safe and stable families grants support “preventative programs that promote family stability in the areas of food security, housing, mental wellness and parent engagement,” according to the foundation’s website.
Grants from 2015 ranged from $500 awards to those in the $25,000 – $35,000 range. Organizations serving at-risk, underserved or underrepresented youth, such as Portland Community College Foundation, Central City Concern and NAYA Family Center, were just a few of the recipients of those larger awards.
How to Apply: Applications for PGE Foundation grants are considered at one of three times throughout the year, depending on what program category you are applying for. The calendar, as outlined on the website, is
- Cycle 1 — Education. Applications accepted Dec. 1 – Jan. 9, 2017 for March decision
- Cycle 2 — Arts Education. Applications accepted March 1 – April 10, 2017 for June decision
- Cycle 3 — Safe and Stable Families. Applications accepted June 1 – July 10, 2017 for September decision
The application process is all online, and can be initiated here after reviewing application guidelines and details.
Name of Foundation: PGE Foundation
Location: Portland, Oregon
Website: http://www.pgefoundation.org/index.html
Contact Information: email – [email protected] or phone – (503) 464-8818
Coverage Area: Oregon
Subject Area: Safe and Stable Families, Arts Education, Education
Total Assets: $23,193,644 (2015)
Total Grants Paid Last Year: $1,066,002 (2015)
Recent News and Grantmaking:
http://www.pgefoundation.org/whats_new/pr_2017_04_06.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/12/the_pge_foundation_awards_2760.html