The board of directors of the National Fuel Gas Company Foundation (Foundation), the charitable giving arm of National Fuel Gas Company (National Fuel), recently approved Foundation grants totaling $378,000.
According to David P. Bauer, Foundation President and President and CEO of National Fuel, significant funding awarded falls under the Foundation’s Education pillar.
“Our objective is to help students in our service territory achieve academic success,” Bauer said. “By granting scholarships and funding school programs, we are investing in the future of our communities. We also offer college students real-world experiences through internship opportunities across the Company.”
Established in 2019, the National Fuel Scholars Program, funded through the Foundation, collaborates annually with community partners – BISON Children’s Scholarship Fund, Buffalo Prep and Buffalo Urban League – to provide financial assistance to college and high school students. This year, the Foundation funded seven college scholarships and four high school private education scholarships to deserving students in Western New York.
The scholars program supports students interested in the energy sector, especially those considering careers in engineering, construction management, IT and business administration. National Fuel also offers paid internships to many of the college scholars.
In Pennsylvania, the Foundation Board approved three years of funding for The United Way of Erie County Community School Program. Through this partnership, National Fuel will serve as the corporate partner for Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Erie. A community school is a proven model that identifies non-academic barriers to learning including lack of food, clothing and school supplies and health and behavioral health challenges and creates “inside-the-school” resources to address student and family needs.
Becoming the corporate partner for Woodrow Wilson Middle School will offer National Fuel employees opportunities to engage with Wilson’s more than 750 students, in addition to faculty and families, by becoming tutors, mentors and volunteering for STEM and career exploration programs.
In addition, the Foundation Board approved a grant request for longstanding community partner Veterans One-stop Center of WNY to support its case management program. The program provides veterans individualized attention and support, enabling them to overcome financial and housing instability, access employment resources and successfully transition to civilian life.
To learn more about the Foundation and its giving process, visit www.nationalfuel.com/corporate/national-fuel-gas-company-foundation/.
The National Fuel Gas Company Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation funded entirely by National Fuel through shareholder funds to better establish National Fuel’s commitment to the community. Foundation focus areas include Community Enrichment & Safety, Education, Environmental Stewardship and Veteran Services.