The PPL Foundation completed the second of three planned grant programs for 2024, awarding more than $120,000 in grants to nine nonprofit organizations working to build stronger communities in its six-county southeast region: Schuylkill, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks and Montgomery counties.

The foundation’s Empowering Communities grants support programs focused on environmental stewardship and education, as well as economic and workforce development initiatives.

“These counties are full of thriving communities, thanks in part to the many nonprofit organizations working to better the lives of people who call our region home,” said Jane George, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. “We are proud to support the efforts of the organizations that help make our communities safe, strong and sustainable.”

The recent Empowering Communities grants included:

• American Red Cross.

• Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation, Schnecksville.

• Rising Tide Community Loan Fund, Bethlehem.

• Schuylkill Chamber Foundation, Pottsville.

• YWCA, Allentown.

The foundation’s next round of grants – Energizing Education – will support equitable and engaging high-quality educational opportunities for students. These grants fund programs focused on STEM education, literacy, summer leaning, and college and career readiness. Applications for Energizing Education grants are being accepted through Sept. 15. For more information, please visit www.pplcares.com.

In all, the PPL Foundation expects to award nearly $2 million in grants this year to support the foundation’s focus areas: education; equity and inclusion; and sustainable communities.