Education and energy-efficiency projects are the big winners

JACKSON--Seven Mississippi nonprofit groups will receive $81,300 in grants from the Entergy Charitable Foundation. In all, the foundation awarded nearly $235,000 to Mississippi organizations in 2011.

Grant dollars awarded during this cycle will fund education efforts in the state and help increase affordable, energy-efficient homes in the Delta.

Recipients are:

• Alcorn State University Foundation. A $50,000 grant will provide training and scholarships for the university’s health physics program, continuing Entergy’s relationship with the university and this program.

• Mississippi State University. A grant of $8,800 will support the Student Technology Exchange Program, which is designed to identify future engineers. The program is a collaborative effort between MSU CAVS Extension, Nissan, Mississippi Department of Education, Madison County Schools, Canton Public Schools, Leake County Schools and Jackson Public School District.

• Foundation for Public Broadcasting. A $5,000 grant will support the Between the Lions preschool literacy initiative.

• Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. A $5,000 grant will support Nature Express, a program that promotes science literacy and environmental awareness to pre-k through sixth-grade students in Washington County.

• New Stage Theatre. A $5,000 grant will support ongoing education programs that bring live theater and workshops to low-income Mississippi students.

• Sunflower County Freedom Project. A $2,500 grant will provide students with enrichment programs in reading, writing and math.

• Mid South Delta LISC. A $5,000 grant will help the organization continue to build affordable, sustainable communities in the Mississippi Delta.

“Creating opportunities for Mississippians through education, opening young minds to art, science and culture, and providing people with decent, affordable housing are all worthy goals, and we’re proud to be able to support them,” said Liz Brister, manager of external affairs for Entergy Mississippi, Inc.

The Entergy Charitable Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation funded by Entergy Corporation shareholders. The foundation’s goal is to support initiatives that help create and sustain thriving communities. ECF has a special focus on low-income initiatives, education and literacy programs, and efforts to protect the environment. ECF accepts applications three times per year. For more information or to access an application form, look under “Our Community/Corporate and Foundation Giving” at entergy.com.

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 435,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

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