The EQT Foundation recently announced it has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations and programs in southwestern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and northern West Virginia.
EQT Corporation, the nation’s largest natural gas producer, established the foundation in 2003 to promote social and economic vitality.
The grants were provided to programs that involved the environment, education and workforce, and community enrichment.
“Nonprofits are such valuable assets to our communities, especially now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” EQT Foundation President Ellen Rossi said. “Organizations and leaders are still working on plans to determine how the ‘new normal’ will operate, and we are fully committed as a partner in their process.”
Programs that received grants include those that feed and house children, and workforce programs that support strong career planning.
School districts across southwestern Pennsylvania, including Bentworth, Bethlehem-Center, and West Greene, received grants for the development and support of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) spaces.
The foundation also awarded high school seniors pursuing careers related to the oil and gas industry more than $500,000 in scholarships, and community foundations and food banks $360,000 in COVID-19-related relief grants.
Scholarships were provided in partnership with community foundations in seven counties.