Pacific Power grants funds for STEM programs

WASHINGTON, OREGON, CALIFORNIA — The Pacific Power Foundation has announced that it will grant more than $240,000 to various nonprofit organizations and community groups in Oregon, Washington, and California according to an Aug. 28 press release from Pacific Power. 

The focus of the funding is enhancing education and expanding opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. According to the press release, this funding aims to create impactful opportunities for both children and adults to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 

“We are privileged to support our local organizations in preparing both children and adults to thrive and succeed on their own terms through these educational, STEM, and workforce development opportunities,” Ryan Flynn, director of the Pacific Power Foundation and president of Pacific Power said in the press release. “We are truly inspired by the innovative approaches our communities are taking to nurture young minds for the future.”  

Flynn emphasized the foundation’s commitment to fostering innovative approaches that nurture young minds for the future. 

The funding is part of the Pacific Power Foundation’s ongoing initiative to invest in programs that empower young people through education and skill development, according to the press release the foundation operates four grant cycles each year, supporting a myriad of organizations serving its communities. 

The recent funding will assist several local organizations in Washington state, with grants tailored to meet the educational and operational needs of these groups. There were 84 grants given out across the three states. The Washington awards include: 

Clark College Foundation: The foundation will support a STEM camp aimed at high school students, designed to encourage them to excel and pursue careers in STEM fields. 

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation: This grant will bolster the library district’s collection of STEM-related equipment and materials, promoting accessible science and technology resources. 

Gesa Powerhouse Theatre: The award will facilitate the purchase of crucial equipment like microphones and a new speaker system for the theater’s auditorium, ensuring seamless daily operations. 

National Inventors Hall of Fame: This grant will support the Hall’s STEM program targeting underserved children in Walla Walla County. The program, known as Camp Invention, provides enriching STEM experiences for children in grades K-6 while offering professional development for local educators. 

Tri-State Steelheaders: A grant will enhance the “Salmon in School” program, providing funding for a tank and necessary equipment to maintain optimal water quality and a conducive environment for salmon growth. 

Walla Walla Community College Foundation: This funding will be directed towards scholarships aimed at low-income, first-generation students or those from systematically marginalized communities, addressing critical financial needs in STEM education. 

First Tee Central Washington: The foundation will support the local program that engages under-resourced youth in sports, coupled with mentoring opportunities to foster personal growth. 

FIRST Washington: This grant will be used for the Robotics Team Retention and Mentorships program in Yakima County, designed to promote equity in STEM opportunities among diverse communities. 

InvestED: The organization’s Yakima program, which works to improve student attendance and engagement, will receive funding to further its objectives. 

Pacific Science Center: The grant will enhance the PacSci Pre-K-12 Science Outreach Programs, which deliver hands-on science education through Digital Discovery Workshops and Science on Wheels visits, making STEM learning opportunities more equitable. 

Perry Technical Foundation: Funds will be utilized to acquire five meters to bolster small group training exercises, enhancing lab experiences for students. 

The Mockingbird Society: This organization, which supports youth in foster care or those experiencing homelessness, will receive assistance to help empower these young individuals through skill development and leadership training. 

Yakima County Fire District No. 3: The grant will fund the purchase of a drone for search and rescue operations, adding technological resources for emergency response efforts. 

The Pacific Power Foundation is a part of the larger PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. Established by PacifiCorp, which serves over two million customers across a six-state region, the foundation strives to enhance community vitality through charitable investments, according to the press release. Since its inception in 1988, the PacifiCorp Foundation has allocated more than $60 million to nonprofit organizations.