Beyond the Ask ...
2 0 2 1 A nnua l R e p o r t Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
2021 Annual Report
Ed White, Executive Director, National Grid Foundation, visits The Campaign Against Hunger’s Fulton Street food distribution facility with Dr. Melony Samuels, Executive Director and Founder.
Photo: Kelly Rubbins
Annual Report 2021
Chairman’s Letter
Eileen Cohen
It is alarming that we are still affected by and responding to the Covid pandemic. The pandemic that began in the US in early 2020 barreled through and continued into 2021. Its variants remain as we begin 2022. This public health crisis has changed us all and the way we live. What hasn’t changed is National Grid Foundation’s commitment to people living and working in our communities. Now it its 23rd year, the Foundation has kept resolute of its mission: To improve the quality of life in its grant-making area while also addressing global matters at the local level. The mission is highlighted in each organization supported. This message comes to life by the Foundation’s response to the pandemic during the past two years. The Board of Directors and I again extended assistance to help organizations still affected by the stronghold of Covid-19. We were pleased to do so, and more importantly we believe it’s our responsibility to lend a hand up to those in need. In the Third Quarter of 2021 just in time for Thanksgiving, the Foundation provided $500,000 in grants to organizations helping individuals and families still suffering from food insecurity and in need of emergency services. As winter arrived and 2021 ended, four organizations managing long-running, emergency heating fund programs received additional funds totaling $500,000. These grants assist those in need to stay warm during the winter. Even during this challenging year, the Foundation’s partner organizations have proven that they can continually offer high-quality programs that help our neighbors improve and lead successful lives. The Board of Directors and staff are proud that the Foundation has grown over the past few years working with more and diverse non-profits. We are impressed that organizations have found their way in a new world bringing needed services to communities. The Foundation supported more than 90 partner organizations in 2021. Continuing the relationship with our veteran non-profits, the Foundation has welcomed several new organizations including: Grassroots Gardens WNY in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY; Rebuilding Together NYC in Brooklyn/Queens/Staten Island; and UTEC in Lowell, MA. The Foundation welcomed Calvin Corridors as a new Board member at the December 2021 meeting. He is the Regional President at Pathfinder Bank in Syracuse, NY. He has made his career in banking since 2001 and has risen through the executive levels at several banks in the Syracuse area. The Board and I look forward to working with him as he brings a wealth of experience and a new community perspective. With Covid-19 keeping us all on our toes, National Grid Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff continue to work hard delivering for our communities and remarkably have throughout the process. The mission to aid community organizations and our neighbors striving to improve their lives remains the same – no matter what is going on in the world. As we kick-off the new year, we at National Grid Foundation hope for the safety of all and wish everyone good health in 2022.
2021 Annual Report
A Message from the Executive Director
Edward White
Last year, we all adapted to and adopted new ways of living, working, and learning. The coronavirus, its variants and resulting pandemic restrictions of the past two years has caused us to live a “new normal.” Some changes were modest and affected schedules, while other challenges were much more significant and life altering. Our experiences throughout this crisis are different from person to person and community to community. One thing that has remained and that is truly wonderful: Witnessing neighbors helping each other and neighborhoods coming together in support. As we look at 2021, in part it was 365 days of uncertainty and stress due to the Covid pandemic. Last year was also a time where we continued to adapt to those monumental changes and continued living and contributing to our communities. It is the reason why we do what we do. This is the true story we like to tell at National Grid Foundation – how non-profits continued their mission and delivered important programming, whether in person following Covid safety protocols, or remotely. Of the 92 organizations supported in 2021, 16 are new partners. Several of these organizations focus on improving the environment, strengthening workforce development, and aiding with food insecurity. The Covid-19 pandemic brought these concerns to the forefront like we have never seen before. National Grid Foundation welcomed YouthBuild Boston in Boston, MA; Ruth’s House in Haverhill, MA; Freshkills Park Alliance in Queens, NY; and Grassroots Gardens WNY in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY among others. I’m proud to work for an organization that really puts the needs of the community first. The Board of Directors again exhibited goodwill and agreed to provide Covid-related food insecurity and heating assistance grants. These donations go a long way in helping our neighbors still struggling during the pandemic. National Grid Foundation provided $500,000 in food insecurity grants to nearly 40 organizations within the grant-making area which were delivered for the Thanksgiving holiday. These grants put more than turkey on the table for one day; they gave individuals and families the support needed to continue to survive. Additional emergency heating assistance grants totaling $500,000 also closed out 2021. Through several agencies offering heating fund programs, the Foundation’s gifts afforded our neighbors a warm home during the winter. This is especially critical when funds are low and as well as the temperatures. We do not want our neighbors deciding whether to purchase food or to keep their homes warm. It’s a non-negotiable decision for the Foundation. While we realize that the pandemic is still with us and may take time to slowly recover, we also see a bright future – allowing people to better themselves and to live their dreams. It’s in our DNA and our mission coming to life each and every day.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) has provided more than
million nutritious meals to ...
million individuals
In 2021, TCAH had a successful program Green Teens Internship Program with 18 Green Teens cohorts. Young people learn hands-on farm and market management skills. At the National Grid Foundation Healing Garden in Far Rockaway NY, students grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers, learn about plant and animal care. The help grow 13,000 pounds of healthy produce to distribute to their community.
Planting the seeds in the community and at TCAH Several Green Teens have completed the program, attended and graduated college and now work for TCAH. They are contributing to their communities once again. A true pay it forward moment! Photo: The Campaign Against Hunger
Providence College 14 consecutive years of Hoops for the Stars 10 motivating videos to inspire students PC conducts city-wide essay contest for students
University at Buffalo 5 students were selected by teachers as “Star of the Year” for outstanding achievements Men’s and Women’s student athletes met virtually with students to discuss importance of school, exercise and good behavior
Siena College 11 years of Hoops for the Stars 3,000 tickets to Siena men’s basketball games provided to students and parent/guardian One on one time – Students from 4 Albany NY schools met virtually with Siena players and coaches
The Hoops for the Stars Schools Combat Covid with a
Zoned Defense
By Deborah Drew
Hoops for the Stars (HFTS) is a program executed by select local colleges and universities in the National Grid Foundation service area to promote and encourage academic success for school-age children in underserved communities. Last year, three resilient schools “boxed out” COVID challenges and employed the a most impressive virtual zone defense on behalf of the Foundation, their schools and thousands of elementary school children in Albany, Buffalo and Providence. A zone defense is a basketball strategy in which players guard a specific zone or area of the court instead of a specific player on the opposing team. University at Buffalo, Siena College and Providence College strategically guarded the mission of Hoops for the Stars and collectively delivered videos and programming in a virtual format that focused on everything from academics to teamwork, and included incentives for outstanding schoolwork.
Annual Report 2021
UB participated in five separate video calls with its HFTS schools in which UB student athletes served as role models and answered questions and reinforced messaging around getting good grades, staying healthy, and being communityminded. It also produced and shared multiple videos with the Buffalo Public School system covering topics around academics, mindfulness and sleep, nutrition and hydration and physical activity. At the conclusion of the program, local schools selected five student Stars of the Year who received UB autographed basketballs, congratulatory notes from key basketball players, visits (where possible) from UB coaches, players and staff, and UB/HFTS apparel.
Siena College
The Siena basketball players and coaching staff all joined virtual calls with four local Albany-area elementary schools. Over the course of the hour-long conversations, students got to ask players and the coaching staff questions about being a college athlete. Each visit highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle with a strong emphasis on academic success. Siena also supported this program with posts on social media; Siena Athletics social media channels have more than 34,000 followers.
Providence College
PC revamped the HFTS program with 10 motivating videos starring it’s players and coaching staff that were shared with students in the Providence Public Schools. Topics covered physical education, nutrition, teamwork, healthy habits, academic tips and more. The videos also were posted on social media and the College’s website which extended its reach even more elementary school children.
Vanderbilt Museum’s Astronomy Outreach Program Reaches the Stars By Christine Berardi
While most teachers dislike it if students “space out” during class time, Vanderbilt Museum’s Astronomy instructors encourage it. For the third year in a row, thousands of Long Island students learned about space, the sun, the moon and the stars thanks to the Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium’s Exploring the Universe Traveling Astronomy Program. Along with schools, the Vanderbilt Museum was closed and did not offer in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Good thing for the students the learning continued virtually, and it was out of this world. Last year, Vanderbilt science educators offered new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes as part of the Virtual Astronomy Outreach Program. Nearly 1,700 students from six schools across Long Island participated in the exciting, interactive astronomy program. The schools are: Birchwood Intermediate School in Huntington Station; Hampton Bays Elementary School in Hampton Bays; Lawrence Elementary School in Lawrence; Lawrence Primary School in Inwood; William Floyd Elementary School in Shirley; and Park Avenue School in Amityville. The new multimedia, virtual program, developed and presented live by highly trained
Vanderbilt science educators to teachers and K-8 students, brought the challenging subjects of astronomy and astrophysics down to Earth. Dave Bush, director of the Reichert Planetarium, said, "We are happy to extend our professional expertise in the field of astronomy education to schools that would not otherwise be able to visit the Reichert Planetarium. Our goal is to provide quality programming that sparks curiosity, wonder, and excitement. Students who partake in our presentations are afforded highly engaging visuals and activities that leave lasting impressions. We thank National Grid Foundation for its continuing support of this program." The two new live/virtual classes included Exploring the Solar System and Space Adventure to the Moon, were developed to expand distance learning opportunities. Exploring the Solar System introduced students to the Sun, the planets and stars in the Solar System. Through a virtual tour beginning on Earth, students observed the constellations visible during the season when they take the class and learn how to recognize planets from stars in the nighttime sky. The tour then blasted off to give students a closer look at planets revolving around the Sun and how Earth’s ro-
Opening in 1971, the Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium offers students state-of-the-art programming. The Planetarium features a high-tech 60-foot full-dome projection system and surround sound. Visitors feel like they have left Earth as they explore the sun and stars, planets and other parts of our solar system. On the roof of the Planetarium, there’s an Observatory where visitors can examine the night sky through the Vanderbilt’s telescope.
students from Long Island schools participated in the Vanderbilt Museum’s Astronomy Outreach Program
“The Moon” poster courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum
tation causes the changes between night and day. Students then returned safely to Earth. Space Adventure to the Moon began with an exploration of the Sun, Earth and Moon. Students discovered the water cycle through an active kinesthetic activity, learned about different types of clouds, and studied how rainbows form and where to spot one. Vanderbilt educators and students then lifted off to the surface of the Moon and learned about its changing phases. A tour of the Moon wouldn’t be complete without discussing the historic Apollo 11 program and Moon landing. Students viewed real footage of scientific experiments and discuss upcoming lunar missions. At the end of the program, students received all-inclusive complimentary Passport to the Stars tickets for a future visit to the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium. In addition to the new education programs, the original Nature Trail was reclaimed and
restored after more than 70 years. William K. Vanderbilt II who was a businessman, philanthropist and naturalist lived on the property in Centerport, NY. Now, it’s the home of the Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum and Reichert Planetarium. Dave Bush made it his mission to restore the original trail and even added to it. Due to the topography of the property, the one-mile, oneway looped trail is an intermediate level trail. Beginning hikers need not worry – there are two locations along the way to exit the path and head to the parking lot. A scale-model of the solar system with instructional signage is part of the trail. The Vanderbilt Museum designed the new outdoor classroom to inspire students and other visitors to learn and appreciate astronomy and Long Island’s indigenous plants and wildlife. Virtual field trips are in production and will soon be available. National Grid Foundation has supported Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium for nine years through various science education programs. ❧
2021 Annual Report
SEAT Construction Students Build A Future While Learning Valuable Skills By Christine Berardi
The future is bright for 25 young people from the Schenectady-AlbanyTroy New York area all thanks to the SEAT Center. The mission of Social Enterprise and Training (SEAT) is to provide transformative educational and workforce experiences that create a sense of purpose in the communities and connect business to real-time solutions.
Annual Report 2021
SEAT operates a multi-step approach to training that leads students to jobs and improved lives. The four-step model begins with a holistic look toward workforce development; generating a workforce that impacts the community; creating job
"I am so impressed by the strengths and desires of the young people we serve and their interest in building careers in the trades and construction."
construction industry. Like other programs, the Construction Training program is offered to low-income young people ages 17-24 who are from underrepresented communities and are unemployed, underemployed and who may have been through the justice system. Jennifer Lawrence, Founder and CEO of SEAT, said,"I am so impressed by the strengths and desires of the young people we serve and their interest in building careers in the trades and construction."
opportunities; and linking young people with the business community.
Since the need is great for the students, businesses and communities, SEAT offered a shorter, intensive program. The first group of students are targeted to complete the program in July. The next group will begin shortly after and graduate later this year.
SEAT’s newest program is the Building Futures Construction Training Program which is designed to provide young people with a paid 12-week credential training program leading to employment in the
The hands-on programming provides students with entry-level skills, soft and hard skills to enter the trades and an opportunity to continue to receive advanced training through apprenticeships. In addition,
— Jennifer Lawrence, Founder and CEO of SEAT
2021 Annual Report
The SEAT Center’s mission and purpose is to help young people from underserved and underrepresented areas with training and finding meaningful work. This will result in a transformation helping young people succeed in life and play a vital role in their communities.
A year of accomplishments: In 2021, 45 students received core program services: occupational skills training, leadership development/life skills; community service; and career/college placement. Other successes: 20 students received industry recognized credentials; 26 improved their literacy/numeracy skills and 26 were placed in jobs.
SEAT Center is making an important impact on students:
the students receive career planning, participate in career workshops while earning technical, industry recognized credentials and matched with employers. Since construction workers are desperately needed in the Capital Region, SEAT actively works with construction companies and trade unions to provide the most needed and up-to-date programming and to assist graduates. SEAT's workforce training program focuses on critical soft skills including Attitude, Attendance, Attire, and Aptitude along with hands-on and written tests in core competencies.The services mean so much to the students and the students mean a great deal to the SEAT team. “The students tell us that they love the program and that it is the ‘boost’ that they needed to get back on track,” said Jennifer. “They have found a new gratitude for life and for themselves.” SEAT offers opportunities and a way toward a future for underserved young people, and the entire community benefits. ❧
Annual Report 2021
Photo: Earthwatch
Earthwatch: By Deborah Drew
FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA
What do the lyrics to America the Beautiful have to do with a special non-profit that sends teams of teachers off into the world to learn science and environmental education, and in turn, brings those learnings back to thousands of students in local schools? This year, due to COVID restrictions, the three Earthwatch Fellows who are supported by funding from the National Grid Foundation had to limit their expeditions to domestic travel. Normally, the world is their research classroom. This summer (July 2021) the trio embarked upon a voyage near and dear to all: Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park.
The Park already is feeling the impacts of climate change, owing in part to its position at the southern boundary of boreal forests and on the coast of the rapidly changing Gulf of Maine. In fact, the forests and intertidal zone are expected to change more dramatically as a result of climate change than most other national parks. On this expedition, teachers worked closely with Earthwatch scientists to inventory
Photo: Earthwatch
plants, algae, invertebrates, mammals, and birds at several forest and intertidal research sites that are important to park management goals. By participating in these biodiversity surveys, teachers are helping scientists to understand biodiversity shifts occurring in the park, determine how climate change is influencing community composition, and evaluate the impact of management actions in benefiting target native species and promoting resilience to
disturbance. And all this testing, research and knowledge also transitions back into classrooms at the teachers’ home schools. Critical to helping to ensuring a sustainable future for the park and the ecological community it supports, the team spent seven days in the field contributing to the research for Acadia National Park and its School Education and Research Center. For approximately three years, the Foundation has supported Earthwatch’s
Teach Earth: Preparing Boston Teachers to Thrive in Science and Environmental Education program. Earthwatch provides research teams studying global environmental and conservation challenges with the funding and volunteers they need to scale up their research and collect larger amounts of data than would otherwise be possible. These “expeditions” challenge individuals to leave their comfort zone, and encourage them focus on a variety of sustainability and conservation issues including resource use, land stewardship, cultural awareness, and social equity. The three National Grid Foundation fellows often join up with other Massachusetts-based teachers of a similar grade level. Each fellow on the team creates a lesson plan on a different topic that is tied to state science standards. Teachers work together so that all of the lesson plans roll up to a cohesive environmental education unit that each teacher can use in the classroom. ❧
Teach Earth fellows bring their experience back to a combined total of over 2,000 students each year.
Of the 16 fellows, 100% reported that following their Earthwatch expedition they feel confident or very confident in their ability to understand research literature relevant to the subjects they teach and guide students in developing research questions. Additionally, there was a nearly 60% increase in the proportion of teachers reporting confidence in their ability to incorporate real research results into their class curriculum following the fellowship experience.
Photo: Earthwatch
2021 Annual Report
2021 National Grid Foundation Concentration of Giving In 2021, National Grid Foundation supported 16 environmental organizations and 72 educational non-profits with $1,771,800. Four regional non-profits which provide heating fund assistance* programs received $1 million in grants. The Foundation provided program grants and Covid relief totaling $3,771,800. National Grid Foundation concentrates its giving and support to organizations that focus on education and the environment. The Foundation also provides funding for fuel-neutral emergency heating programs.
National Grid Foundation Increased its 2021 give by
40% * All heating fund
assistance programs are all "fuel-neutral", meaning assistance is given regardless of type of fuel needed.
19% 4 Heating Fund Assistance 16 Environmental Organizations
2021 Grants Distributed
15%
66%
72 Educational Non-profits All Environmental grants have an educational component.
The Foundation funds organizations that administer educational programs assisting people of all ages giving them opportunities to become more self-reliant. Classroom-based education and skills training for those in underserved communities are priorities. Commitment to the environment also is important to the Foundation. Grants are provided to organizations that share our passion for environmental stewardship. Programs that teach sustainability of natural resources and preservation of the environment are primary projects.
Annual Report 2021
2021 Quarterly Distribution Including Covid Response
The quarterly grant distriution is combined with 2021 program support and Covid Response
* Additional Heating Fund Assistance
Q3 Food Insecurities
$900,000
$825,800 $675,000
$519,000
$450,000
$542,500
$384,500 $225,000
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2021 Annual Report
2021 National Grid Foundation Food Insecurity Grants Buffalo City Mission Capital City Mission Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston Central Island Civic Center Christian Pentacostal Church Community Servings Family Pantry of Cape Cod Feed More WNY First Church Food Bank of Central NY Food Bank of Western Mass Friends Food Pantry Friends of the Children of Boston General Needs God’s Love We Deliver Grassroots Gardens WNY Greater Boston Food Bank Island Harvest Jewish Community Center of Staten Island Learning Community
Color Key
¾ Upstate NY
¾ Downstate NY
¾ Massachusetts
Lower Cape Outreach Council Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island Meals on Wheels of Staten Island New Ground Progresso Latino Pronto of Long Island Red Cross of MA Rhode Island Community Food Bank Schenectady City Mission The Campaign Against Hunger The INN The River Fund UA3 United Way of Adirondack Region Unity House UTEC Yarmouth Food Pantry YMCA Central Mass YWCA of Central Mass
¾ Rhode Island
National Grid Foundation
Does It Again – Donating a Total of $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000
National Grid Foundation does it again – donating a total of $1 million in grants to four agencies providing emergency home heating programs. To end 2021, United Way of Mass Bay, United Way of Long Island, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and Catholic Social Services in Rhode Island received the grants to help keep families warm during the winter. These one-time, fuelneutral grants make a significant difference in the lives of so many of our neighbors.
MA
RI
UNY
DNY
Annual Report 2021
2021 National Grid Foundation Partner Organizations Asian American Civic Association Audubon Society of Rhode Island Baruch College Fund Beam Center Books Are Wings Boston Public Library Boys and Girls Club of MetroSouth Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket Boys and Girls Club of Wakefield Stoneham Boys and Girls Club of Warwick Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Volunteer Lawyer Association Buffalo Center for Arts and Training Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany Catholic Social Services Change is Simple Citizen Schools Citizens Committee for New York City Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory College Bound Dorchester Community Works Services Coro Leadership NY Courageous Sailing Cristo Rey Boston High School Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School Dancewave Discovery Museum Dress for Success Earthwatch Family Service League FirstWorks Freedom House Freshkills Park Alliance Friends of the Children of Boston Grassroots Gardens of Western New York Great South Bay YMCA Green Tech Corp Club Haven Project HEAF Helen Keller Services Justice Resource Institute (dba STRIVE Boston) La Collaborativa Latino STEM Alliance Literacy Volunteers of Worcester Long Island Pine Barrens Society Madison Square Boys and Girls Club
Malden YMCA Mercy Works Molloy College New Ground Northland Workforce Training Center On Point for College Phillips Academy Andover Providence College Read to Succeed Rebuilding Together NYC Resilient Coders Ruth’s House Save the Bay/Save the Harbor School on Wheels of MA SEAT Center Seven Hills ASPIRE Siena College Solar One St. Francis College Steps to Success Syracuse University Tech Kids Unlimited The Book Fairies The Campaign Against Hunger The Center for Brooklyn History The Compass School The Concord Baptist Church of Christ The HOPE Program The Learning Community United Way of Long Island United Way of Mass Bay University at Buffalo Foundation University of Rhode Island Foundation (on behalf - URI Athletics) UTEC Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium VIA (Visually Impairment Advancement) Wade Institute for Science Education Watch CDC Worcester Community Action Council WriteBoston Year Up YMCA of Central MA YMCA of Greater Boston YMCA of Greater New York Young People’s Project YouthBuild Boston
2021 Annual Report
Board of Directors
Eileen R.Cohen Chair
Dr. Gary V. Simpson Vice – Chair
Carmen Fields Vice – Chair
Michael J. Taunton Treasurer
After 20 years of service, Mike retires from the board of directors
Don Lowery
Eboné M. Carrington
Hon. Louis Elisa, II
Melanie W. Littlejohn
Lorraine Lynch
Marcy Reed
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Angel Taveras
Director
Director
Leadership Team
Edward White Executive Director
Kelly Rubbins Executive Assistant
Christine Berardi Communications Lead
Deborah Drew Program Director
Pamela Focá Creative Adviser
Stephen W. McCaffrey Chief Counsel
Annual Report 2021
National Grid Foundation Board of Directors Diversity of Skills and Experiences One of the Foundation’s many strengths is the diversity of our board. Diversity comes in many different forms from ethnic, age, gender and years of service to types of experiences and professions. We value the work that these outstanding leaders do on behalf of the communities we are so proud to support.
Audit Brand Comm./ Public Relations Accounting/Financial Governance Government/Legal Operations Community Leadership
Board of Directors Independence
82% Independent Independent Nonindependent
Board of Directors by Gender
55% Female Female Male
Board of Directors Tenure
0 – 3 4 – 6 7 – 11 12 – 17
years years years years
Board of Directors Ethnic Diversity I dentify as White/Caucasian I dentify as other than White/Caucasian
2021 Annual Report
Upstate New York Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Downstate New York
Freedom School Summer Program 2020
National Grid Foundation Icon & Color Key
Rhode Island Massachusetts Downstate NY
Environmental
Emergency Heating Fund
Education
Upstate NY