Puget Sound Energy Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Puget Sound Energy Foundation supports public safety and emergency preparedness in Washington.
FUNDING AREAS: Public safety, emergency preparedness, natural disasters
IP TAKE: This corporate funder has very specific core funding interests, but it is also open to other urgent needs based on what is going on in Washington communities.
PROFILE: Established in 2006, the Puget Sound Energy Foundation (PSEF) is a corporate foundation based in Washington. The Puget Energy company provided the foundation with a $15 million endowment to launch its operations, a portion of which came from the company’s sale of an unregulated subsidiary called InfrastruX Group. An additional $5 million was added to the endowment in 2009 after a merger with Puget Holdings. The foundation is “dedicated to keeping our communities safe and prepared where PSE serves and operates.” PSEF funds local efforts for public safety and emergency preparedness.
The Puget Sound Energy Foundation is primarily concerned with these two topics, but is also responsive to emerging needs and will consider funding other sectors upon request. However, overall, PSEF’s works to help the population that the company serves be better prepared to face floods, snow, earthquakes, forest fires and other natural disasters. PSEF awards grants for program needs and capital requests. However, it does not fund individual K-12 schools, youth groups, general operations, religious organizations that are not open to the public or grants that benefit specific individuals or groups.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $15,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Washington communities, including the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, Bellevue, Wenatchee and others. These are the Washington counties in focus for the company and its foundation: Chelan, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Garfield, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Thurston and Whatcom. Past local grantees include Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Plymouth Housing Group and the Pierce County Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and has an online system to receive new requests. The process starts with an online eligibility quiz. The application deadlines are June 1 and October 1. Direct general questions to the staff at PSEFoundation@pse.com or 800-83-1754.
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