The PSEG Foundation has committed $2.5 million to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic — including a $1 million donation to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, the foundation announced Tuesday.
PSEG Senior Vice President for Corporate Citizenship and PSEG Foundation Chair Rick Thigpen said midsized grants, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, will also be directed toward regional nonprofits — such as food banks and organizations providing health and social services to the community — to address and support those suffering from the medical, social and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Thigpen said this commitment also includes a request-for-proposal process to support neighborhood and grassroots initiatives. This will be accomplished via small-scale grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, aimed at directing support directly to the neighborhood level and reaching those in need who have been affected by COVID-19.
“These are extraordinary times for so many of our community members who are facing tremendous hardship brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Thigpen said in a statement. “The PSEG Foundation is grateful to be able to bring its resources to bear to provide the health, social and economic support so desperately needed by our communities.”
First lady Tammy Murphy, the chairperson of the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, said the donation will go to good use, noting the fund’s purpose is to provide support for the health care community, as well as for vulnerable age and socioeconomic groups and businesses all facing an array of challenges ranging from food insecurity to displaced workers to homelessness.
“NJPRF is so grateful for the generous support that PSEG Foundation is providing. We are strategically using our funds to support the front-line services across the state and address the widespread needs of our community,” she said. “We know there is much work to do both now, and in the weeks and months ahead.”
The total could be even higher.
To support employees seeking contributions toward their own communities, the PSEG Foundation will offer a 2:1 matching campaign. The matching campaign is designed to enhance PSEG employee charitable contributions to select health and human service nonprofits providing COVID-19 relief and response.
The PSEG Foundation also said it will be providing additional funding to the PSEG Employee Crisis Fund for PSEG employees in need during these difficult times.
