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Pacific Power Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the PacifiCorp Foundation awarded seven grants totaling $10,000 each to Central Oregon nonprofits. The awards were part of Pacific Power’s initiative to support local organizations committed to creating resilient cities, towns and natural areas.

Recipients include 350Deschutes, BendNEXT, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Oregon, Central Oregon Environmental Center, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon, Deschutes Children’s Foundation and Desert Sky Montessori.

These seven grants are one of four grant cycles awarded by Pacific Power Foundation annually. Across all three states where grants were awarded, the aggregate donation totaled $112,000 for programs ranging from affordable housing to trail restoration.

Each of the organizations that were awarded the grant used the funds for their own projects related to strengthening the Central Oregon community, such as 350Deschutes, which used the funds for their program at Madras High School dedicated to helping students find careers in the green energy sector.

“Pacific Power has granted us funding for our initiatives around workforce housing solutions and community leadership development. We are grateful to Pacific Power and our other investors in supporting our work to develop educated community leaders through our Leadership Bend program, and helping to tackle challenges related to housing, workforce development and the retention of our local workforce,” Talenta Barker from BendNEXT told The Bulletin.