In the Community

Grant Guidelines & Policies

Piedmont Natural Gas recognizes its responsibility as a corporate citizen in the communities it serves. The Company believes the well-being of these constituencies is a critical part of its obligation to function as a good corporate citizen and neighbor.

Piedmont Natural Gas supports programs and activities that benefit its customers and employees. Consequently, the distribution of philanthropic funds is concentrated within Piedmont Natural Gas' service area. Corporate Contributions are primarily awarded to non-profit organizations in the following categories:

• Literacy & Education - K-12 Public Education & Literacy is our focus
• Building blocks of education - developing the foundation to help build our communities from the ground up
• Drives and aligns with employee volunteerism and community goals
• Reaches greater % of employee base
• Better focus on end-game: critical life skill that enhances opportunity for economic self sufficiency
• Critical need in all of the communities we serve
  
  
• Environmental Stewardship - Piedmont's Foundation will support organizations that help conserve, protect or sustain the environmental resources in our communities and states
• Direct alignment with industry and company public policy goals
• "Walking the Talk"
  
  
• Assistance with Low-Income Energy Needs - Focus on low-income energy assistance needs in the communities we serve
• Project HELP
• Share the Warmth
  
  
• Development of Communities - Quality of Life Enhancement and Economic Development
• Support of Federated Arts Campaigns and other organizations and entities that are not affiliated with the larger umbrellas organization
• The growth of our company is directly related to the economic growth of the communities we serve
  
  
• Service to Neighbors
• Support of the United Way Organizations in the communities we serve
• Support of Health & Human Services entities that are not affiliated with the United Way organizations in their communities

Piedmont Supports

Factors that will have a positive influence on corporate support include programs or organizations that:

• Leverage in-kind donations such as real property, equipment, fixed assets, products and human capital 
• Benefit customers, employees and communities in our service areas; 
• Involve collaborative efforts among industry, government and community-based organizations 
• Have a significant level of Piedmont employee involvement 
• Do not duplicate existing services or organizations 
• Have well-defined goals and objectives and a plan for identifiable outcomes; 
• Provide visibility and reflect favorably on the reputation and image of the company

Restrictions

Piedmont Natural Gas, as a general rule, does not provide funding for:

• Individuals 
• Organizations not eligible for tax-deductible support under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 
• Pre-college level private schools except through our employee matching gifts program 
• Travel and conferences 
• Third-party professional fundraising organizations 
• Controversial social causes 
• Fraternal and veterans organizations or private clubs 
• Religious organizations with programs limited to or expressly for their membership only 
• Agencies already receiving our support through United Way or a united arts drive, with the exception of approved capital campaigns 
• Athletic events and programs

Review Process

Grant applications will be reviewed as they are received. If additional information is required as part of the review process, a staff member will contact the grant applicant.

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