DENVER (October 28, 2020) – Xcel Energy announced today it is donating $76,000 to six Colorado nonprofit and community partners committed to equity and justice in our communities . The money is part of a larger $500,000 commitment to organizations across the company’s entire service territory and will be used for scholarships, educational support and support for social programs.

“The success and growth of our communities depends on social, economic and educational equity,” said Hollie Velasquez Horvath, senior director of state affairs and community relations, Xcel Energy--Colorado. “This additional funding to existing and new community partners is just one of many purpose-led investments Xcel Energy is making to help build an inclusive culture at our workplace as well as in the communities we serve.”

Each year Xcel Energy and the Foundation invest more than $400,000 in Colorado nonprofits working to support equity and inclusion. These six organizations fall under the company’s four grant-making focus areas: STEM education, economic sustainability, arts and culture, and environment.

Xcel Energy employees and Colorado employees who are members of Xcel Energy business resource groups provided feedback and recommendations on which organizations would receive funding. The selected organizations include:

  • Colorado Association for Black Professional Engineers and Scientists
  • Colorado School of Mines
  • Denver Scholarship Foundation
  • One Colorado
  • Rise Colorado
  • Women’s Foundation of Colorado

As an example of how funding will be used, the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) supports Denver Public Schools students through college graduation by dismantling educations barriers and providing the resources students need to navigate educational pathways. With this grant funding, Xcel Energy is partnering with DSF to launch an Xcel Energy Named Scholarship for DSF scholars pursuing a career in the energy industry.

“DSF, hand in hand with our partners, build on-ramps to opportunity,” said DSF CEO, Lorii Rabinowitz. “Together in partnership with Xcel Energy, and in celebration of the persistence and determination of our Scholars, we are making college possible, and building the future of our community.” 

Colorado School of Mines will also use money from the Foundation for The Xcel Energy Challenge Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to any student who has completed the Challenge program at Mines within the school’s multicultural engineering program.

The Colorado Association for Black Professional Engineers and Scientists will provide funding for underrepresented youth to pursue STEM careers. RISE Colorado works to empower low-income families and families of color to become change agents for educational equity in the public-school system.

One Colorado will use funds to support statewide efforts to advance equality for LGBTQ Coloradoans and their families. And Women’s Foundation of Colorado will use funds to directly support Colorado women and girls of color – encouraging their leadership, their futures and their economic security.

Xcel Energy is proud to invest in nonprofit organizations statewide that are creating equity and justice, and these increased investments enable our partners to do even more in this space.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.