PPL in the community

Community and Economic Development  Volunteerism  Environmental Preserves  Corporate philanthropy  Montana Community Fund  WPD Foundation

Community and Economic Development

Throughout its history, PPL has contributed to the economic vitality of its Pennsylvania communities through a series of programs to support local economic development groups and Chambers of Commerce as they revitalize and market their communities. These economic development programs receive more than $500,000 annually in financial support from PPL.

The most distinctive part of PPL’s commitment to community vitality are the eight regional community relations directors who are assigned to be community leaders, not just company liaisons. The leadership they provide is critical to many of the top community and economic development organizations. Two of the three certified economic development professionals in northeastern and central Pennsylvania are PPL employees.

PPL’s Web site, www.ppleconomicdevelopment.com, maintains a listing of available commercial sites, buildings and sophisticated information tailored for the areas around them.

Sustainable development is a growing emphasis in PPL economic development. Center city and brownfield projects are prioritized, and a new PPL Electric Utilities program provides grants of up to $5,000 to defer the costs of seeking certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. In addition, PPL is offering a $5,000 bonus to buildings that achieve the program’s “Gold” rating.

Volunteerism

At PPL, community involvement is a way of life for employees.

To recognize employees’ dedication to improving the quality of life in their communities, PPL Corporation developed the Employee Volunteers Recognition Program.

The volunteer labors of PPL employees resulted in company contributions of more than $33,750 to nonprofit organizations in 2008, the second year of the Employee Volunteers Recognition Program.

Nearly 135 employees — with a combined total of 12,300 volunteer hours — signed up for the program, which contributes $250 per year per employee to nonprofit community organizations to which employees donate a minimum of 50 hours during the year.

Through their donations of time and effort PPL employees are helping those in need, and now their community organizations also benefit from the company’s direct contributions.

Environmental Preserves

PPL maintains thousands of acres of company-owned land for public recreation and environmental education. PPL’s environmental preserves share common goals: preserve the land, restore endangered species and habitats, support biodiversity, and provide a place for people to learn about and enjoy nature’s beauty.

In 2008, our environmental preserves received more than 500,000 visitors and hosted 233 public education programs and 254 school and Scout programs.

Corporate philanthropy

PPL contributes to the quality of life in communities where we do business. Our philanthropy efforts direct corporate resources to programs that improve our communities and make business sense.

United Way

In 2008, PPL Corporation donated about $2.8 million to the United Way. This includes employee and retiree pledges, corporate incentive and corporate contribution.

Matching Gifts

PPL’s Matching Gifts Program matches employee gifts to eligible high schools, colleges and universities with a contribution from company funds. In 2008, the program provided $234,000 in matching donations to educational institutions.

The program was expanded in 2008 to include matching contributions to eligible arts and culture organizations.

Employee Community Involvement

PPL volunteer tens of thousands of hours to the community to build homes with Habitat for Humanity, coach Little League teams, volunteer at museums, mentor inner-city students and much more.

Charitable Contributions

Montana Community Fund

Recognizing the important role that communities play in the lives of Montana families, PPL Montana awarded $200,000 in grants in 2008 through the Montana Community Fund. The Community Fund will hit the $1 million milestone in 2009.

Under the direction of a statewide advisory board of community, business and government representatives from throughout the state, as well as PPL Montana employees, the Community Fund awards grants to organizations that address major quality-of-life issues in education, environment and economic development.

Since the Community Fund began in 2005, PPL Montana has awarded grants up to $10,000 to 145 Montana organizations. As a major corporation with 500 employees in Montana, this is part of our continuing work to be a good neighbor and a positive force in the state.

Grant recipients in 2008 can be viewed here.

In addition to contributions to community organizations, PPL Montana donated $50,000 to Energy Share, a statewide energy assistance program that helps Montanans who don’t qualify for other programs or who have exhausted that assistance with emergency home-heating assistance.

WPD Foundation

Western Power Distribution believes businesses have a responsibility to take a full and active role in local communities, which is why WPD provides practical and charitable assistance.

Each year, WPD establishes a community support policy focused on education, safety and the environment. WPD considers support for projects or events that fall under these principles, no matter how large or small.

Broadly, this means providing support for community groups within the company’s distribution area (south Wales/southwest England), and whose work is concerned mainly with youth projects – with an emphasis on education, the environment and safety. However, the Trust Fund was established to support registered charities and organizations with charitable status, some of which fall outside WPD’s sponsorship criteria. The company does not seek to benefit from ongoing or long-term sponsorships from these grants. (In fact, we’re not allowed to.)

In 2008, the WPD Foundation donated £142,000 -- a 69 percent increase over 2007 -- to charitable organizations including:

Lifeskills – A regional safety education and training center based in Bristol. This interactive and hands-on “village” is designed to help children learn about safety in a fun and practical way.

Children’s Hospice – WPD sponsored play equipment for use in the family rooms of a new children’s hospice that recently opened in north Somerset.

Forever Friends Appeal – This voluntary organization raises money for medical equipment for a Bath-based hospital. Currently, it is fundraising for a new neo-natal intensive care unit.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust – WPD developed a project with the trust to support schools to develop their outdoor space, making it a more enjoyable space for them to study and play and to create a natural habitat for wildlife. This was designed as a competition and schools that entered had to meet certain criteria and demonstrate how they would spend the prize fund to maximize the benefits.

Otters Wheel Chair Basketball Club – In operation for 25 years, the club’s members range in age from 10 to 18. WPD was excited to help break down barriers through sport, and sponsored the purchase of specialized wheelchairs for the players.