Corporate and Employee Giving

SJI makes an impact in the communities we serve through supporting initiatives that not only align with our vision, core values and priorities, but with our four redefined charitable giving pillars.

Corporate Giving

During an unprecedented year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges were thrust upon the communities we serve, making it more important than ever to step up as a corporate partner and offer a helping hand. Our investments during 2020 totaled nearly $750,000 in financial support, over $100,000 in employee giving and significant employee volunteer hours of service.

In recognition of the extraordinary needs facing our medical and first responder communities, SJI contributed $50,000 to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, established by New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy. These funds went directly toward fighting the medical, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, supporting organizations that provide essential services and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic. Additionally, South Jersey Gas made a $25,000 donation to the AtlantiCare Foundation and Elizabethtown Gas supported the Trinitas Health Foundation with a donation of the same value. Both organizations are centrally located within the respective communities our utilities serve.

To support operations and programming challenges during the pandemic, corporate donations were also made to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, the Boys and Girls Club of Union County, the Community Food Bank of NJ, Union County College Foundation and the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County.

SJI made a $15, 000 contribution to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County for the renovations on their Paulsboro Clubhouse which allowed local children to return to the clubhouse for socially distanced after-school programming. The renovations included a new roof, security cameras, fencing and conversion from oil to safe, reliable, affordable natural gas heat – allowing the children to enjoy a safer, more comfortable environment for learning, career exploration and social development.

Game On Grant Program

For the last nine years, the South Jersey Gas Game On Grant Program has provided critical financial aid to local, community-centered children’s athletic programs, leagues, clubs, associations and recreational organizations. We’re proud to partner with these organizations and support them in their missions to provide safe, fun activities for kids in our region.

While many of the organizations were not able to enjoy their sport’s season due to COVID-19 restrictions, our donations were intended to be used for when activities resume. In 2020, the program awarded $20,000 in grants toward the purchase of equipment, uniforms and field improvements in local communities. Since the program was founded in 2011, South Jersey Gas has provided $175,000 in grants.

Moving forward, the Game On Grant program will expand to Elizabethtown Gas in 2021, with an additional $20,000 in grant money to be awarded.

Magnolia Little League (Camden County) won a Game On Grant in 2020 but postponed their season until 2021. Players pose with the presentation check on their Opening Day.

First Responders Grant Program

In its fifth year, the South Jersey Gas First Responders Grant Program supports the critical safety training and lifesaving efforts conducted by local fire, police and EMS first responders. This year, the program took on a new meaning to support those who kept us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic through their tireless work.

Nearly $39,000 in grants were awarded in 2020, supporting purchases including combustible gas detectors, turn out gear, UV rapid sanitizers and portable water tanks for fires in rural areas. Since the program was founded in 2016, South Jersey Gas has provided more than $130,000 in grants.

Deepwater Fire Department (Salem County) used their First Responders Grant toward the purchase of LED traffic control devices. These devices will alert motorists to stop when the fire department’s vehicles are leaving the station to respond to an emergency.

Employee Giving

The pandemic’s devastating effects also served as a call to action for SJI employees, who rose to the occasion by way of our annual Employee Giving Campaign. The 2020 campaign saw an employee participation increase of 40%, and total contributions increased by an impressive 70% over 2019, bringing in a total of over $100,000 to support the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the American Red Cross, the United Negro College Fund, Habitat for Humanity and the Plainfield Area Humane Society.

Employee Volunteerism

While our volunteerism may have looked a bit different from Spring of 2020 until the end of the year, our hearts remained in the same place. Whether it was volunteer work that was socially distanced with personal protective equipment or virtual via a computer screen, our employees put in the hours to make a difference in lives across the State. These efforts include:

To celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., over one hundred SJI employees and their families volunteered for projects to help the communities we serve. Projects included making sandwiches for the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, crafting cards for senior citizens in nursing homes, and sewing pillows for AtlantiCare.
SJI employees met with eighth-grade students at an event hosted by Salem Community College and talked with them about future career opportunities in the energy industry.
The American Heart Association of Southern NJ held its first virtual Heart Walk in 2020 and 81 SJI employees participated, raising nearly $7,000 to support the heart health of those in our communities.
Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas continued their support of several community social service organizations that benefit lower-income individuals and families in each of the utilities’ service areas. Customer Outreach Program teams attended food drives and other events to reach those in need during the pandemic.

South Jersey Gas’ longtime involvement in the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) annual Coats for Kids event evolved into a different kind of support during 2020. In lieu of an in-person event where SJG employees pair up with underserved children to assist in picking out a new winter coat and gloves, our donation, along with those of other community partners, allowed NJMP to purchase and deliver virtual learning equipment and supplies for children in 19 elementary schools.
The SJI Women’s Leadership Initiative Employee Resource Group collected over 200 items ranging from hygiene products, socks, hand warmers and purses to benefit Adelaide’s Place, a 100% donation-run day program helping homeless and disenfranchised women throughout the Atlantic City area.
SJI employees showed their support for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey through a virtual fundraiser and food drive that collected hundreds of pounds of nonperishable items for those in need within the state.