For Immediate Release: February 23, 2021

SMUD awards $400,000 in round two of community funding

19 local nonprofits receive Shine awards to help beautify neighborhoods, provide education and workforce training, and improve energy efficiency

SMUD announced its annual Shine community award recipients totaling $400,140, which is round two of its funding. SMUD distributed an additional $219,000 in November to immediately help community nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic. SMUD’s Shine program supports projects that improve and revitalize neighborhoods in the Sacramento region. Shine awards are funded for projects that address neighborhood revitalization; STEM education; environment and energy efficiency; and workforce development.

“We’re proud to partner with local nonprofits to improve our local communities,” said SMUD Board President Nancy Bui-Thompson. “By supporting our community with job training, academic support and community services, we will make a lasting impact in our neighborhoods.”

SMUD received 126 applications from a wide range of applicants. Shine awardees are those who successfully demonstrate collaboration and the potential for broad neighborhood impact. The first round of awards was expedited based on immediate COVID-19 responsive program design. Awardees are located throughout Sacramento County and include:

AGC of Cal Construction Education Foundation

Workforce Development

Alchemist CDC

Neighborhood Improvements

Center for Land Based Learning

STEM Education

Cosumnes Service District

Neighborhood Improvements/STEM

Christ Temple Apostolic Church

HVAC

Eta Gamma Omega Chapter Foundation

Infrastructure Improvements

First Step Communities

Infrastructure Improvements

Food Literacy Center

STEM Education

Juma Ventures

Workforce Development

Orangevale Food Bank

Infrastructure Improvements

NeighborWorks HOC Sac

Energy Efficiency Education

Ronald MacDonald House

Infrastructure Improvements

Sacramento Library

EV Charging

Sacramento Native American Health Center

Infrastructure Improvements

Shiloh Baptist Church

Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Soil Born Farms

STEM Education

The River District

Lighting Project

Youth Development Network

Workforce Development

Volunteers of America

Infrastructure Improvements

Each year SMUD contributes approximately $3 million in cash and in-kind services to community-based organizations. SMUD will continue to support healthy, vibrant and economically sustainable neighborhoods for all our customers with a special focus on improving equity in our region through our Sustainable Communities Initiative.

Applications for the 2021 Shine program are expected to open in June. All 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations within SMUD’s service territory are eligible to apply. For more information about SMUD’s corporate citizenship programs, visit smud.org/SustainableCommunities. For more information about the Shine program, visit smud.org/Shine.

About SMUD

As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for almost 75 years to Sacramento County (and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties). SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD’s energy is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit smud.org.