American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water Partner with Upstream Alliance to Help Improve Access to Environmental Education in Camden, N.J.

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American Water Charitable Foundation awards $250,000 grant to support Solar-Electric Education Vessel

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• The American Water Charitable Foundation has awarded a $250,000 Water and Environment grant to Upstream Alliance to support a Solar-Electric Education Vessel. The vessel will serve as a floating classroom, providing on-water education experiences for underserved students in the City of Camden and beyond.

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Foundation provides $250,000 grant to support a Solar-Electric Education Vessel

CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and New Jersey American Water, announced today the Foundation awarded a $250,000 Water and Environment grant to Upstream Alliance to support a Solar-Electric Education Vessel. The vessel will serve as a floating classroom, providing on-water education experiences for underserved students in the City of Camden and beyond.

American Water Charitable Foundation presents a $250,000 Water and Environment grant to Upstream Alliance. Pictured L-R: Steve Curtis, SVP, Chief Operational Excellence Officer and American Water Charitable Foundation Board Member & Water and Environment Grant Executive Sponsor; Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation; Dr. Margarita Olivencia, Camden Education Director, Upstream Alliance; Don Baugh, President and Founder, Upstream Alliance; Mark McDonough, President, New Jersey American Water and American Water Charitable Foundation Board Member; Mayor Victor Carstarphen, City of Camden; Charae Thompson-Perry, Deputy Chief of Staff, Equity & Engagement, Camden City School District; and Sheena Yera, Senior Director, Communications, Media & External Affairs, Camden City School District (Photo: Business Wire)

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is pleased to partner with Upstream Alliance to support environmental education to youth in Camden,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. "The 2023 Water and Environment grant will help thousands of students have the opportunity to explore the Delaware River and its diverse ecosystems, as well as learn about the vital role the river plays in providing clean drinking water to millions.”

Upstream Alliance is dedicated to connecting people to nature, by providing on-the-water experiences for conservation leaders who can improve public access, clean water and coastal resilience.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation’s support is critical to getting every student in Camden on the water three times before they graduate. This will be a game changer for the students, schools and waterways,” said Don Baugh, President, Upstream Alliance. “We are grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water for their continued support and dedication to environmental education and the local community.”

The Water and Environment grant is part of the Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities. Water and Environment grants support high-impact projects and programs focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education and water-based recreation. In 2023, the Foundation awarded a combined total of $1 million to 23 organizations in 11 states, supporting communities served by American Water.

“New Jersey American Water is thrilled to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation in selecting an organization that supports and prioritizes environmental education in Camden,” said Mark McDonough, President, New Jersey American Water & American Water Charitable Foundation Board Member. “Our joint efforts will empower the next generation of environmental leaders and we look forward to continuing to make a lasting impact in the community.”

Additionally in 2022, the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water awarded a combined contribution of $40,000 to Upstream Alliance to support Camden County youth in the Search for the Cooper River Expedition. Upstream Alliance was able to send a diverse group of students on a six-day expedition, led by Camden County Parks Director Maggie McCann Johns and National Geographic Science Photographer Anand Varma, to explore the length of the Cooper River.

Learn more about the American Water Charitable Foundation here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About American Water Charitable Foundation

The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to be a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf and follow the American Water Charitable Foundation on Facebook.

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on X and Facebook.

About Upstream Alliance

Upstream Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people to nature. Upstream Alliance’s mission is to provide powerful, on-the-water experiences for conservation leaders who can improve public access, clean water and coastal resilience, while in partnership with organizations who champion these issues.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231011974850/en/

Media

Alicia Barbieri

Director, Communications and External Affairs

American Water

alicia.barbieri@amwater.com



Denise Venuti Free

Sr. Director, Communications and External Affairs

New Jersey American Water

Denise.Free@amwater.com



Don Baugh

President

Upstream Alliance

captbaugh@gmail.com

Source: American Water

FAQ

Who awarded the grant?

The American Water Charitable Foundation.

How much is the grant?

The grant is $250,000.

What is the grant for?

The grant is for supporting a Solar-Electric Education Vessel.

Who will benefit from the vessel?

Underserved students in the City of Camden and beyond.

What does Upstream Alliance do?

Upstream Alliance connects people to nature and provides on-the-water experiences for conservation leaders.