For Nonprofits

The PSE Foundation partners with trusted organizations across the communities where PSE has a presence to reduce household burdens, expand opportunity, and build resilience. As an independent, endowment-funded nonprofit, we provide flexible funding that fills critical gaps, supporting urgent needs and long-term stability where it matters most.

Below you’ll find information about our funding opportunities and how to engage with the Foundation.

• Competitive
• Foundation
• Rapid Response
• Powerful Scholars

Competitive Grants

Our Competitive Grants program provides funding to nonprofit organizations addressing urgent community needs and long-term solutions across two of our impact pillars: Reducing Household Burdens and Climate Resiliency & Community Safety. These grants support a wide range of initiatives, such as food security and housing stability, disaster preparedness and safety, and mission-based giving that strengthens nonprofit capacity.

Every year, the Foundation identifies a focus for competitive grants based on emergent community needs. The 2026 Competitive Grant program focuses on Emergency and Disaster Relief, specifically targeting preparedness and response efforts for nonprofits.

Through an annual application process, we invest in locally-driven solutions that create meaningful, measurable impact across the communities we serve.

Competitive grants are allocated through a participatory review process, evaluated by a trained grant selection team that includes PSE employees that live and work in the local communities.

Foundation Grants

Foundation Grants are strategic investments made across the Foundation’s three impact pillars: Reducing Household Burdens, Education & Workforce Pathways, and Climate Resiliency & Community Safety.

Unlike our Competitive Grants program, there is not a separate application process for Foundation Grants. Instead, these grants are identified by the Foundation and directed toward emerging needs, urgent community challenges, or high-impact opportunities aligned with our mission and giving priorities.

Foundation Grants ensure we remain nimble, responsive, and focused on where our support can make the greatest difference.

Rapid Response Fund

Sometimes the unexpected happens, and when it does, we want to help local nonprofits and communities stay on track.

This year the PSE Foundation is piloting a monthly responsive grant program designed to help nonprofit organizations cover one-time unplanned expenses up to $5,000. These grants are intentionally quick, simple, and supportive so service providers can address urgent challenges and continue serving our communities without disruption.

Rapid Response grants can be used for materials, equipment, or professional labor related to unforeseen operational or programmatic needs, such as (but not limited to) emergency repairs to essential equipment, vehicle breakdowns impacting service delivery, sudden shortage of critical program supplies, or immediate health and safety concerns.

Powerful Scholars

Powerful Scholars is the PSE Foundation’s scholarship and education initiative focused on expanding access to STEM education and career pathways.

Through annual scholarships hosted by educational partners and every accredited community and technical college across Washington, Powerful Scholars helps students overcome financial barriers and pursue living-wage careers, supporting both individual opportunity and the region’s future workforce.

Education is a powerful driver of economic mobility, and Powerful Scholars is designed to open doors for students across our local communities.

EMPLOYEE MATCHING

The PSE Foundation amplifies community impact by matching charitable contributions and volunteer service from current Puget Sound Energy employees and retirees. This program aligns with our employees’ passions and extends the reach of individual generosity for greater community benefit.

Employees and retirees can request matches for qualified donations or verified volunteer hours to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Questions?

If you have questions about eligibility, timelines, or the application process, please contact us at:
Rachel.benner@pse.com