Constellation Announces 111 Community Champions Grant Recipients to Celebrate Program’s Third Year

BALTIMORE (Nov. 29, 2016) — In celebration of Giving Tuesday, Constellation named 111 new grant recipients through its Community Champions program, donating more than $53,550 across 15 states to community organizations focused on education, youth development and environmental projects. Constellation’s Community Champions allows the company’s residential electricity and natural gas supply customers to nominate a local project or cause for grant funding. The next deadline for grant submissions is February 1^st, 2017.

“Constellation is pleased to support our customers’ dedication to giving back to their communities,” said Kevin Klages, senior vice president, mass markets for Constellation. “Since the program’s inception in 2013, Constellation’s Community Champions Program has awarded over $281,310 in funding to more than 588 projects that have made significant educational and environmental impacts in the communities we serve.”

Constellation customer George Pittenger will use his $500 Community Champions grant to purchase therapy materials for the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center in Celburne TX. The Advocacy Center provides children a friendly place to tell their stories of abuse and begin to reclaim their lives.

“With the grant, we were able to purchase toys to add to our playroom,” said Kevin Sellers, the center’s development director. “A child’s natural language is play and with these resources we were able to add toys for the opportunity for children to gain self-esteem.”

Ann Dwyer’s $500 Community Champions grant for Sister's Circle helped to fund a pottery painting evening for adult mentors and their middle school mentees.

“It was a successful evening and our girls and mentors alike thought it was a creative way to spend time together," said Heather Harvison of Sister’s Circle. “The studio was filled with joyful smiles and laughter."

Customers are encouraged to go online to nominate their favorite local project or cause. To apply, visit www.constellation.com/communitychampions and have your account number on hand to identify you as a Constellation customer. Community-based efforts focusing on education, youth and the environment are eligible for funding. Designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for requests up to $500, and other community causes may submit requests up to $250. Grant submissions are accepted three times each year in February, May and September.

To learn more about the program visit the Community Champions section of www.constellation.com.