New Jersey American Water provided over $1.3 million in 2021, through grants, general charitable contributions and programming support, to nearly 70 organizations across New Jersey, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Camden-based utility.
“At New Jersey American Water, our work extends beyond providing safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater services to our customers,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. “We are also committed to supporting organizations that make our communities a better place to live and work for our customers and employees. That’s why we’re proud to provide over $1.3 million in funding to benefit the well-being and safety of our customers, communities and watersheds.”
Each year, New Jersey American Water provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to its communities through its annual First Responder and Environmental grant programs and through New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit.
In 2021, the company granted over $45,000 to 27 volunteer fire and EMS squads, $38,000 to four community organizations through its Environmental Grant program and $950,000 to a nonprofit development organization through the NRTC program. Additionally, New Jersey American Water contributed $100,000 to help its customers through its H2O Help to Others bill-paying assistance program, a resource that has been available for customers for over 20 years.
Aside from its annual grant programs, New Jersey American Water provided $182,000 through general community-based charitable contributions, environmental-focused sponsorships, and support for inclusion and diversity initiatives. The company also launched Water UP! (Water Utility Pipeline training), the first workforce development program of its kind in New Jersey, in 2021. The program offered paid water utility and other essential business training to young adults from Camden to equip them with the skills needed to secure a career in the water utility field.
New Jersey American Water employees also engaged in philanthropy of their own, having raised over $132,000 for 208 New Jersey nonprofit organizations through the American Water Charitable Foundation’s volunteer and matching gift program. Employees also organized four food drives in 2021 to gather food and supplies and raise money for local and regional food banks.
