Funding Opportunities
We are committed to supporting organizations and individuals who share our goal of addressing the biggest challenges facing our community. If you are seeking funding, please read this page thoroughly.
As our understanding of equity continues to broaden, we’re committed to working with our community to improve outcomes for people who still face steep and systemic barriers based on racial, social, economic and geographic inequities. Read our commitment to equity statement.
Award Determinations
Award determinations are made at three focus-specific board meetings. All proposals to PGE Foundation are reviewed by committee based on their individual merits, prior to recommendation to the PGE Foundation Board of Directors. While our board of directors considers every grant application on its own merits, they recognize the value and importance of collaboration in addressing the biggest challenges facing our community.
Please see Apply for Funding for additional eligibility criteria.
We review only one request per calendar year from an organization. Average awards range from $5,000 to $25,000; In addition to awarding project and program grants, we also award grants for operating expenses and new and existing capital construction projects for organizations whose mission, vision and values align with our funding opportunities. If you have received prior funding from the Foundation, an Impact Report must be submitted through Cybergrants before a new proposal will be considered (even if this means submitting the report before the award period expires).
All PGE Foundation awards are distributed from the Foundation’s endowment and do not impact PGE customer prices.
We consider requests that meet one or more of our three focus areas:
Funding applications are accepted Nov. 20, 2023 – Jan. 12, 2024 for a March decision.
We believe that education is the cornerstone of individual success, economic prosperity and community vitality. Through initiatives like Project Zero®, we’re committed to partnering with organizations that provide young people of all backgrounds real opportunities that will prepare them for the jobs of the future.
Funding applications are accepted Feb. 26 – Apr. 5, 2024 for a June decision.
We support programs that promote arts and culture engagement, because they create an environment that values critical thinking, problem-solving and self-efficacy. We know that students who have creative experiences are more inclined to actively engage in classroom discussions, offer their own ideas and appreciate the ideas of others.
Funding applications are accepted May 27 – Jul. 5, 2024 for a September decision.
We are committed to helping individuals and communities overcome common barriers to economic mobility and generational wealth-building by increasing avenues to family wage jobs, entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
Writing a strong proposal
Equity
Centering community
We prioritize programs that center access and opportunity for communities of color, individuals from low-income households and those living in rural areas, particularly those that are culturally specific and led by members of Black, Indigenous, Communities of Color. We elevate organizations who use input from the community they’re serving and intentionally focus on communities that have faced historic or systemic barriers in reaching equitable outcomes due to racial, cultural, geographical (rural) and income disparities.
Strong proposals will provide evidence in one or more of the following areas. The organization:
Invests in Black, Indigenous, people of color, as well as rural and low‐income communities where such programming would otherwise be unavailable
Is led by, and in service to specific Black, Indigenous, people of color or traditionally under-resourced communities
Is able to speak effectively about engaging stakeholders in program development
Collaboration
No one can do this alone
We believe that we are stronger together, and communities thrive when efforts are intentional and coordinated.
Strong proposals will discuss whether the organization is:
Engaged in collective impact initiatives
Working in partnership with nonprofits, governments, philanthropy and community
Please contact PGE Foundation Program Officer Melissa Dubois Lewis at melissa.dubois@pgn.com.