In recognition of Oregon STEM Week, the PGE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric, is pleased to announce its 2025 Education Grant Awards. Through these grants, the PGE Foundation is working to increase access to hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the trades.
Oregon STEM Week is a statewide celebration from May 4 to May 12 that brings together teachers, students, STEM Hubs, and industry partners to showcase the power of STEM education.
This year, the PGE Foundation granted more than $487,000 to 27 organizations dedicated to increasing access to education for under-resourced students in urban and rural communities throughout Oregon, with more than $375,000 of this year’s investments toward organizations whose educational missions focus on STEM and the trades.
For more than a decade, the foundation has prioritized organizations who provide youth with hands-on applied learning experiences that expose and inspire young people to explore careers in STEM fields and the trades.
Organizations like Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, Saturday Academy and Todos Juntos are working creatively to help young people see themselves as successful STEM learners, while others like Oregon STEM and the Central Oregon STEM Hub support strategies for system-wide transformation of learning in STEM for Oregon’s most vulnerable students.
“Investing in STEM education is an investment in our communities," said PGE Foundation executive director, Kregg Arntson. “We want to help create more access to creative, authentic hands-on learning that excites and prepares the future workforce for a meaningful and prosperous career in STEM fields.”
Supporting hands-on STEM education
In addition to the PGE Foundation’s monetary investments, PGE believes in investing time in Oregon’s youth by making STEM a fun experience for all ages.
Throughout the year, PGE volunteers’ partner with local educators through organizations like In4All, JA Biztown, and OMSI to create hands-on STEM learning experiences for students in the classroom. They also work directly with teachers to empower them with the information they need on energy industry topics like renewable energy and the clean energy transformation to excite and engage students in the classroom.
“We want students to be excited to learn about STEM and prepare them for a successful future in those career fields. We know that learning through hands-on experiences can be both fun and make a lasting impression,” said Arntson.
Please see the complete list of PGE Foundation 2025 Education grant recipients.
All PGE Foundation awards are distributed from the Foundation’s endowment and do not impact PGE customer prices.
About the PGE Foundation
The PGE Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric. Founded in 1997, the foundation was created through an endowment with the expressed purpose of improving the quality of life for Oregonians. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $28 million to community organizations across the state. We champion values that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. Working together with community members, partners and friends, we are committed to using our time and resources to help eliminate disparities and create an equitable society where all people can reach their full potential. To learn more, please visit pgefoundation.org.