NBC10/WCAU and Telemundo62/WWSI, in partnership with the NBCUniversal Foundation today announced that three Philadelphia region nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $100,000 as part of the 21st Century Solutions grant challenge.
In the Philadelphia Region, the following organizations are the recipients of a 21st Century Solutions grant:
• ENERGY COORDINATING AGENCY (ECA) OF PHILADELPHIA – $50,000
The Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) of Philadelphia preserves and stabilizes low-income homes, block-by-block, which reverses the downward slide of neighborhoods with high concentrations of homes in poor condition. In addition to dramatically cutting energy costs, EFIT increases the durability and value of homes as well as improves health and safety. ECA combines energy conservation, health and safety treatments, education, and bill payment assistance services with home repair to reduce homeowners' maintenance and operating costs. ECA performs repairs that enable homeowners to qualify for federal programs. This work is combined with community education and counseling to engage residents in energy conservation and to ensure long-term success.01
• THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION – $25,000
Maker Jawn brings a team of artists, engineers, designers, and thinkers to work in libraries. This initiative has created on-the-floor Maker spaces for the Library community members and offers a creative and supportive learning environment. These unique Maker spaces enable Library users to gain access to technology and participatory education, and encourage creative applications and collaborative projects. The Maker Jawn team helps build interest and knowledge in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) fields in underserved neighborhoods in North Philadelphia.
• READING ASSIST INSTITUTE– $25,000
The Reading Assist Institute has developed a pilot program called the Reading Corps in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education and the Colonial School District. The program will train 15 AmeriCorps members as reading intervention tutors. Creating the Reading Corps will significantly increase the number of students RAI serves and produce a reading intervention program that will be replicated in school districts throughout the state of Delaware.
“NBC10 and Telemundo62 – in partnership with the NBCUniversal Foundation – are honored to take part in the fourth annual 21st Century Solutions grant challenge, which recognizes and supports innovative efforts that aim to help solve some of our region’s most pressing social issues,” said Ric Harris, President and GM, NBC10 and Telemundo62. “Each of these three grant recipients is helping to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve, which ultimately helps us build stronger communities.”
For the fourth consecutive year, the 21st Century Solutions grant challenge is awarding a total of $1.2 million to 30 nonprofits in 10 markets across the country served by the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, including in the Philadelphia Region. Each of the stations promoted the initiative locally and created a community panel to review and select the final grant recipients. One winning organization and two runners-up are being awarded grants in each city.
The grants support impactful programs that offer bold, new ideas that move communities forward. Winners are being awarded in the following categories: Media Arts and Technology, Civic Engagement, Jobs and Economic Empowerment, Education and Environment.
