PSE&G, together with the PSEG Foundation, has announced the distribution of $1.5 million in grant funding to more than 25 community-based organizations that support individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. This Community Relief Initiative underscores their continued focus on affordability and strengthening community well-being.

The yearlong initiative is designed to deliver essential assistance through a comprehensive strategy. This includes financial support for Shares Nation (formerly NJ Shares) to help with energy and housing needs, along with funding for its partner organizations and multiple food banks that play a vital role in sustaining large-scale community food support networks.

Demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting communities throughout New Jersey, PSE&G and the PSEG Foundation have also brought nonprofit partners together for a collaborative conference aimed at fostering stronger relationships and generating actionable ideas.

“Supporting communities means more than delivering safe and dependable energy — it requires meaningful partnerships with organizations that truly understand the needs of the people they serve,” said Calvin Ledford Jr., President of the PSEG Foundation and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. “In periods of economic strain, these partnerships help us create impactful solutions that make a real difference for families across New Jersey. We sincerely appreciate our partners and the positive outcomes these efforts will bring in ensuring communities have access to essential resources for stability and well-being.”

For over 100 years, Fifth Third Bank has been managing private foundations, helping individuals, families, and institutions bring their visions to life and leave a lasting impact on their communities. This legacy began in 1903 when Jacob G. Schmidlapp, then president of the bank, established the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust.
 
Today, the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank continues this work, ensuring that these foundations support meaningful charitable initiatives. From October 1 to November 22, 2024, organizations in the Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Piqua regions can apply for grants, which will be awarded by April 1, 2025.
 
“Our Foundation Office is dedicated to building healthy, strong, and thriving communities,” said Heidi B. Jark, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank. “We aim to make the grant application process transparent and straightforward so that organizations can access the resources they need.”
 
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations operating in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Piqua that qualify under section 501(c)(3) and subsections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), and 509(a)(3) Types I and II of the IRS code. Churches and religious organizations can also apply if their programs serve a broader community (e.g., food pantries, after-school programs, or housing initiatives).
 
The following are not eligible for Foundation Office grants: individuals, government entities, public or private K-12 schools, booster clubs, or fundraising events like walks, runs, dinners, and galas.
 
For complete guidelines, visit our Grantseeker Guidelines page.
 
This year, there are two separate application links. Organizations may apply to both if relevant: