VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, is celebrating five years of partnering with local communities and organizations throughout the country. The Foundation has provided more than $3 million in funding through grants and matching gifts since 2012.
“Being a good neighbor and steward of the environment has always been central to the mission of American Water,” said American Water President and CEO Susan Story. “Our employees are proud members of the communities we serve. That’s why we are committed to not only delivering the highest quality water and wastewater service possible but also participating and investing in programs that benefit these communities through the American Water Charitable Foundation.”
In 2012, American Water established the American Water Charitable Foundation, with the primary goals to support employees in their charitable endeavors, provide support for disaster relief efforts, and provide funding for initiatives related to clean water, conservation, education, and community sustainability.
The Foundation’s signature grant program, Building Better Communities, was established in 2014 through a grant of $2.5 million to the National Recreation and Park Association to administer the program for five years. The program is designed to enhance the quality of life in the communities the company serves. It is focused on parks, as they are critical to preserving natural resources that have real economic benefits for communities. During the last four years, the Foundation has funded 12 projects throughout the country.
The Foundation also provided a $175,000 grant to fund an innovative program with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) that brings union members and American Water employees together to volunteer their time and skills on water-related conservation projects. This program pairs the USA’s all-volunteer Work Boots on the Ground program with projects that benefit American Water service communities by improving public access to water-based recreational opportunities or enhancing the environmental sustainability of existing recreational areas. Through this partnership, the Foundation has completed projects that include improved access to kayak and canoe trails, boat ramps, and ADA accessible fishing piers.
“Since its establishment, the Foundation has always strived to help the communities we serve become stronger through these unique partnerships,” said Laura Martin, president of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “In just five years, the Foundation has become a leader in the industry and will donate close to one million dollars to worthy causes this year.”
The Foundation also provides funding for other initiatives including disaster relief efforts and an Employee Volunteer and Matching Gift Program where, since 2012, it has awarded over $700,000 to organizations that are important to its employees.
About the American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. The Foundation helps support American Water employee-identified nonprofit endeavors.
About American Water
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
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