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American Water Charitable Foundation and West Virginia American Water Announce 2024 Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Grants

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Oct. 2, 2024) – The American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF), a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest regulated U.S. water and wastewater utility company, along with West Virginia American Water announced today that applications are now being accepted for the company’s fourth annual Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E) Grant. Funding through this grant is available to support inclusion, diversity and equity initiatives for nonprofit entities in the company’s service areas.  
“As part of our strategic community efforts, West Virginia American Water believes in providing support to events and programs that promote inclusion, diversity and equity across West Virginia,” said Sarah Wade, external affairs specialist and imPACT Culture Champion at West Virginia American Water. “By investing in ID&E initiatives, we are helping to create fair and friendly places to live, work and do business in the Mountain State.”  
West Virginia American Water was the first company or entity in the state to offer a grant specifically dedicated to providing funding for inclusion, diversity and equity-related events, programming and initiatives. Since its inception, the company has awarded 40 grants to organizations across the state totaling more than $50,000. Leadership West Virginia was one of 15 recipients of last year’s funding. 
“Leadership West Virginia strives to create a space for all leaders in West Virginia to learn more about our state’s incredible assets, while simultaneously learning to strengthen their own skills,” said Pam Farris, executive director of Leadership West Virginia. “Through West Virginia American Water’s ID&E grant, we’ll have the opportunity to provide scholarships for diverse candidates joining our program. This opportunity strengthens all of us to hear all voices, perspectives and viewpoints in our own leadership journeys.”
West Virginia American Water’s 2024 Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Grant will provide financial assistance to organizations seeking to develop and implement programs, training or community-related projects that aim to promote and foster inclusion and diversity in the community. The maximum grant amount is $2,500.  
To qualify for a grant, the organization, project or event must:  
  • Be located within a West Virginia American Water's service area  
  • Be a new, innovative community initiative or serve as significant expansion to an existing program  
  • Promote inclusion, diversity and equity in the community the organization serves  
  • Have 501(c)(3) designation or be a government agency (including public schools)  
Individuals are not eligible to receive grants. Only nonprofit organizations within West Virginia American Water’s service territory are eligible to receive funding.  
Additional information and the application can be found on the Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Grant page of the company’s website. Applications must be emailed or postmarked by Friday, November 15, 2024. Recipients will be notified by the end of November.  
About American Water 
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. 
 
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedInFacebookX and Instagram
 
About West Virginia American Water
West Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 600,000 people.
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to be a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
 
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