PGE Foundation launches new fund to build a climate-resilient future for Oregon communities

The PGE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric, is announcing a new fund to support community resilience in the face of environmental changes that have led to record-breaking wildfires, extreme heat, and flooding in recent years.

The Climate Resilient Communities Fund aligns with PGE’s commitment to strengthen community preparedness, protect vulnerable populations, and support long-term environmental and economic vitality. The new grant supports organizations that are dedicated to addressing wildfire hazards and preparedness, nature-based climate solutions, and climate resilient parks and public spaces for community gathering and emergency refuge.

“While extreme weather is beyond our control, we are taking steps to prepare and reduce its effects on Oregon communities,” said PGE Foundation executive director, Kregg Arntson. “By working together to build a more resilient future, we strengthen our communities and show up for one another now and when it matters the most.”

By engaging more than 20 organizations across rural, urban, Tribal, and frontline communities, the PGE Foundation worked directly with community partners to develop a program informed by Oregon’s diverse geography and experiences, with opportunities for organizations of all sizes to participate.

The Climate Resilient Communities Fund supports community-driven solutions across three focus areas:

• Wildfire Hazard & Preparedness

  Community-driven strategies to reduce wildfire hazards, improve community preparedness and response, and build long-term recovery capacity in fire-prone areas.

• Nature-Based Solutions

  Community stewardship through habitat restoration, tree canopy, and green infrastructure projects that help cool communities, improve water and air quality, and protect ecosystems.

• Parks & Public Spaces

  Funding for organizations expanding, enhancing, and sustaining equitable access to safe, climate-resilient outdoor spaces where people can connect and find refuge.

The PGE Foundation will take applications for the Climate Resilient Communities Fund beginning on March 23. For more information, head to pgefoundation.org .

About Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to over 950,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index and is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In 2024, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.5 million and volunteered nearly 23,000 hours to more than 480 nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news