Who created the Puget Sound Energy Foundation?
» Answer
The Puget Sound Energy Foundation was created by Puget Energy, the investor-owned, parent company of Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the
state of Washington's oldest and largest utility.
The Foundation's endowment came from a portion of the proceeds from Puget Energy’s
2006 sale of former unregulated subsidiary, InfrastruX Group, Inc.
This means none of the Foundation’s grant money will come from PSE’s utility customers.
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Where does the Puget Sound Energy Foundation make grants?
» Answer
The Foundation supports charitable programs in Washington state in
counties where
Puget Sound Energy provides services or has operations.
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PSE Service and Operations Area
The following Washington counties comprise the Puget Sound Energy service and operations area:
- Chelan
- Columbia
- Douglas
- Island
- Jefferson
- King
- Kitsap
- Kittitas
- Klickitat
- Lewis
- Pierce
- Snohomish
- Skagit
- Thurston
- Whatcom
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The Foundation Grant Review Team will review all qualified requests after each application round closes.
We anticipate making grant decisions about two months after the corresponding application deadline.
Applicants will receive a letter regarding their specific proposals. Grant awards will be publicly announced
on the foundation Web site shortly thereafter. For application deadlines, please visit our Guidelines page.
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How do I apply for a charitable grant from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation?
» Answer
The Foundation is pleased to offer a user-friendly, online application. No letter of
intent is required. In keeping with our commitment to the environment, the Foundation accepts online applications only.
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Does the Puget Sound Energy Foundation sponsor events?
» Answer
No. The Foundation does not sponsor fundraisers or other events such as galas, dinner or luncheon programs,
golf tournaments, walk-a-thons, etc.
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Does the Puget Sound Energy Foundation support general operations?
» Answer
No. The Foundation makes charitable grants that support programmatic and capital projects with measurable goals and outcomes.
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Does the county where my organization or program is based determine who reviews my request?
» Answer
No. We ask for county information only to ensure that applications meet the geographic criteria necessary to apply.
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How much should we request?
» Answer
According to Philanthropy Northwest (an association of Foundations and Corporations that
make philanthropic grants), the median charitable grant made in Washington state in 2004 was about $3,500. We anticipate that
the median PSE Foundation grant will be approximately $3,000 to $5,000. (Please note: "median" refers to the midpoint with half
of all grants above and half below that point.)
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Who qualifies for a Puget Sound Energy Foundation Employee Matching Grant?
» Answer
Current employees, board members and retirees of Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy are eligible to apply for a matching grant in support of their personal philanthropy and volunteerism at qualified, charitable organizations. Please note:
eligibility is non-transferable.
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How are PSE Employee Matching Program (EMP) distributions made?
» Answer
Approved cash contributions are paid at a rate of 50 percent up to the annual, per employee limit of $300. In addition, approved volunteer time is matched at a rate of $10 per hour up to the annual, per employee limit of 30 hours.
If a matching request exceeds the annual, employee limit, a portion of the match may be issued up to the annual limit.
EMP matching grants will be paid on the following timeline in 2008:
- Qualified requests received by April 1, 2008 will be paid by June 1, 2008.
- Qualified requests received by June 1, 2008 will be paid by July 1, 2008.
- Qualified requests received by August 1, 2008 will be paid by September 1, 2008.
- Qualified requests received by October 1, 2008 will be paid by November 1, 2008.
- Qualified requests received by December 1, 2008 will be paid by December 31, 2008
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