NIPSCO this week released its corporate citizenship report for 2022 detailing more than $2.3 million donated to more than 250 non-profit organizations across northern Indiana including support given in partnership with the NiSource Charitable Foundation. The full corporate giving report is available at NIPSCO.com/givesback . The Merrillville-based utility says its parent company NiSource established the NiSource Charitable Foundation with a mission to help create strong and sustainable communities where employees and customers live and work.
NIPSCO’s 2022 donations were centered on areas of identified need, including Basic Needs and Hardship Assistance, Economic and Workforce Development, Environmental Stewardship, Public Safety and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and Energy Education. Charitable donations are funded by NIPSCO and its shareholders, the NiSource Charitable Foundation, and direct employee contributions. Donations are not recovered through the rates customers pay for their energy service.
“Last year, we were able to get back out in the community and directly help those organizations that need it most,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO President. “As a public service organization, we aim to serve our communities in all we do. I’m so proud of all our team members that get out and contribute and help make a difference year after year.”
Below are a few of NIPSCO’s giving programs in 2022.
Employee Giving Programs
Charity of Choice is NIPSCO’s employee-driven, company-wide effort to provide a significant contribution of volunteer efforts to benefit a variety of community causes across NIPSCO’s service territory. In partnership with the NiSource Charitable Foundation, NIPSCO team members volunteered nearly 600 service hours to local organizations.
NIPSCO’s 10th annual Hope for the Holidays campaign, combining company and employee donations, provided more than $75,000 to benefit community-serving organizations throughout northern Indiana during the holiday season. NIPSCO employees donated more than 600 toys to the eight Toys for Tots organizations throughout the NIPSCO service area.
Targeted Grants
In its seventh year, NIPSCO’s Environmental Action Grant has helped more than 100 projects come to fruition across northern Indiana. The grant, funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation, provided funds to projects focused on pollinators of all shapes and sizes, use of native plants for sustainable food sources and habitats, as well as corresponding education programs for communities.
Organizations supported include:
• The Nature Conservancy in Indiana
• The Watershed Foundation
• Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana
• Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
• The Wetlands Initiative
NIPSCO’s Public Safety Education and Training Action Grant aims to provide funding for community and youth public safety education programming and training for first responders. Eighteen organizations received grants from NIPSCO to help fund their safety education and training projects throughout Northern Indiana.
Organizations supported include:
• American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana
• Porter County Emergency Management Agency
• Tri Town Safety Village
• Fort Wayne Fire Department
• Cass County Emergency Management Agency
Areas of Identified Need
In 2022, NIPSCO identified specific areas of giving to provide the most benefit to its communities with funding provided by the NiSource Charitable Foundation.
Organizations supported include:
• Food Finders Mobile Food Pantries
• NAACP Gary Chapter
• City of LaPorte Parks and Recreation
• Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
• Community events throughout northern Indiana
In Partnership with the NiSource Charitable Foundation:
The NiSource Charitable Foundation provides grants and other funds throughout the year to allow NIPSCO to further support its communities. Organizations supported through these partnered donations include:
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne
• Meals on Wheels Northwest Indiana
• Junior Achievement
• Opportunity Enterprises
To view the report, and learn more about NIPSCO’s tradition of charitable giving, visit NIPSCO.com/givingback .
