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The FirstEnergy Foundation awarded more than $3.43 million to nearly 100 organizations across its six-state service territory for the final round of "Investing with Purpose," an initiative focused on supporting nonprofit organizations that advance health and safety, workforce development, educational and social justice initiatives. In addition, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) provided $220,000 to five organizations as part of the initiative. The grants build on $3.3 million in charitable contributions the Foundation awarded in December 2020 as part of the initial round of giving, which has collectively gifted $7 million to nearly 200 nonprofit organizations making a difference in the communities served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric companies.

"Investing with Purpose" was developed in response to the COVID pandemic, which created health, financial and educational hardships for customers across FirstEnergy's footprint, and in response to the events of 2020 that highlighted racial and social injustices impacting our nation. With those issues in mind, the Foundation identified philanthropic opportunities through nonprofit organizations across its service territory that are responding to needs of vulnerable populations. The "Investing with Purpose" initiative represents an additional commitment on top of the company's annual charitable giving, which averages approximately $10 million per year.

"Many of our communities are still facing a significant hardship due to the pandemic. Nonprofit organizations on the frontline of our current health and economic crisis have realigned to support current needs in the community, including housing, workforce development and training, and the continued support of our healthcare workers," said Lorna Wisham, vice president of Corporate Affairs & Community Involvement and president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "We've witnessed the positive impact these grants made for deserving organizations in 2020, and we look forward to seeing how the second round of contributions will help strengthen the communities we serve."

From forest fires in Canada and Greece to massive floods in Vermont and California – not to mention scorching heat waves across the globe – recent events underscore the fact that climate disasters are an inevitable part of our future. It is estimated that over 2 billion people will be at risk of exposure to intense heat by the end of the century. Here in the U.S., the Census Bureau indicates that one in four residents are socially vulnerable to extreme heat waves. In the U.S., people of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change due to their occupations. Non-citizens and Latino workers, who make up more than 75% of agricultural workers, are twenty times more likely to die from heat-related illnesses than the general population. Meanwhile, Black people are 40% more likely to live in areas with the highest estimated increases in mortality rates due to changes in temperature.

Regional inequities also play a role in which parts of the U.S. will be most impacted by climate change. Geographies that naturally have hot climates, such as the Southeast U.S. region, will only get hotter. According to a new index created by Texas A&M University and the Environmental Defense Fund, those who reside in that region will be most susceptible to future climate disasters. These vulnerabilities are exacerbated by a lack of political will which makes it challenging to implement comprehensive long-term strategies that meet the needs of diverse communities.

However, there is still time to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Climate justice leaders and organizations are working tirelessly to develop the social and economic infrastructure needed to help protect the communities most at risk of experiencing the worst effects of environmental disasters. Join us for a timely discussion with experts from the climate justice movement on their strategies for building climate resilience in the South and learn how philanthropy can invest in transformative solutions to lessen the harms of climate change on immigrant and BIPOC communities.

There is no cost to attend for CNJG members.

Novartis benchmarked Employee Crisis Programs, and asked fellow corporate funders via the corporate funders listserve to answer the questions below.

1. If you have an Employee Crisis Program, what is the name
2. Do you manage the program internally or thru a 3rd party?  If you use a 3rd party, can you share their name/website and any good/bad experiences.
3. Do you only support disasters or other hardships as well?
4. What is the average percentage of your employees that apply for aid?
5. What is your minimum and maximum funding?
6. What is the average amount of aid?
7. Do you provide aid directly to the employee and/or vendors?
8. Do you allow employees to donate to your fund?  If so, how do you promote awareness and what is the employee donation participation rate?  Do you match these donations?
9. Where does the program reside (CSR, Foundation, HR)?
10. Please share guidelines and applications, if possible.
11. Please share any other insights.