Renewable energy company Drax has announced that five U.S. non-profits will receive $291,585 as part of the Drax Foundation’s latest round of donations.
The non-profits receiving the donations are spread across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and include The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (Mississippi), The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME), The Houston Audubon, The Central Creativity Foundation, and The Gulf Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability. The funds will provide thousands of children across the southern U.S. with access to STEM education opportunities.
The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME), which was awarded $80,000, creates equitable experiences for students from underrepresented groups to explore futures in engineering.
“Thanks to Drax’s commitment to TAME, we are able to offer free engineering programs to students in schools across Texas,” said Kiyomi Beach, Interim Executive Director of TAME. “The support from Drax is invaluable and allows us to keep breaking barriers for students allowing them to stay on the path to pursue engineering careers and create solutions that reflect and celebrate our diverse world.”
The Houston Audubon, which received $25,000, is a regional non-profit and accredited land trust focused on protecting the natural environment for birds and people on the upper Texas coast.
The Boys and Girls Club of America (Mississippi), which received $70,000, offers nation-wide support to communities in need and will use their funding to provide STEM opportunities for helping children across Central Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast.
“At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we are dedicated to providing equitable access to opportunities and experiences that empower youth to become the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow,” said Lisa Anastasi, Executive Vice President and Chief Development & External Relations Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “That’s why we are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Drax Foundation, which will significantly increase the number of young people participating in high-quality STEM programs at select Mississippi Clubs, equipping our members with the skills they need for a successful future after high school.”
The Central Creativity Foundation, which received $66,585, is an organization based in Laurel, Mississippi, that will use their funding to partner with the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LaSTEM) Program to host energy camps in Amite County, Mississippi, and Marengo and Pickens Counties in Alabama.
The Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability, which received $50,000, is an Alabama-based nonprofit that was established in 2018 to bring new environmental programs and facilities to the Gulf of Mexico’s Coast, including the promotion of sustainable tourism, environmental awareness, and the stewardship of the Gulf Coast’s natural resources.
“Drax’s commitment is helping to support the education of a new generation of environmental stewards,” said Travis Langen, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Center. “These funds will allow us to build young leaders and arm them with a passion for the environment that will last for years to come.”
The Drax Foundation funds initiatives that support education and skills development in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as those that improve green spaces and enhance biodiversity.
“We are honored to be able to support these non-profits who are making real, positive impacts in their communities,” said Matt White, Executive Vice President of Drax’s North America Operations. “At Drax, our goal is to support the communities where we operate and this round of foundation giving will help organizations change the lives of thousands of kids across the southern U.S.”
To learn more about the Drax Foundation and Drax’s community efforts, visit www.drax.com/community.
Source: Drax
