Corporate Giving
2021 marked a year where communities and organizations started to adapt to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and began hosting events again. As a corporate partner to the communities we serve, SJI committed to continue giving to organizations and communities throughout the SJG and ETG service areas. Our investments during 2021 totaled nearly $530,000 in financial support and significant employee volunteer hours of service.
To support medical and educational challenges resulting from the pandemic, corporate donations were also used to assist hospital and college foundations throughout the South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas service areas. This year, $17,000 was distributed directly to college and university foundations that help advance the lives of our future generations as they pursue degrees in New Jersey. Direct support to universities like Rowan, allow SJI to play a key role in ensuring our workforce is prepared for the future. Recognizing that hospitals continue to work tirelessly rebounding from the ongoing pandemic, SJI continued it's support to hospitals that have done so much in 2021. Roughly $35,000 was dedicated to supporting hospitals and their foundations as we remain committed partners to those who serve.
Game On Grant Program
For the last ten 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. This year, we were excited to expand the program to include Elizabethtown Gas.
In 2021, the programs awarded $40,000 in grants, $20,000 from each utility, toward the purchase of equipment, uniforms and field improvements in local communities. Since the program was founded, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas have provided $215,000 in grants.
First Responders Grant Program
The First Responders Grant Program, at both South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas, supports the critical safety training and lifesaving efforts conducted by local fire, police and EMS first responders.
In total, for 2021, 28 grants were awarded totaling nearly $120,000. These grants are utilized by first responders to support necessary purchases including combustible gas detectors, turn out gear, fire hoses, medical supplies and equipment, body armor, and security cameras . Since the program was founded, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas have provided more than $250,000 in grants.
A Workforce that Gives
Employee Giving
Through our Employee Giving Campaign, our workforce comes together collectively to make an impact and help support our local communities. The 2021 campaign produced an increase of 50% over last year and raised the most in a single year of the campaign with $150,000 - to support the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blacks in Energy South Jersey Chapter, Arc, Junior Achievement, the Nature Conservancy and the New Jersey Veterans Network. Since 2018, our employees have made a collective impact on our communities, raising over $400,000 for area non-profit organizations.