El Segundo Educational Foundation

Long-Time Corporate Partner Steps-Up Giving This Year

Things are tough all over. These days it seems the evening news has more negatives than positives to report. For months, educators across California have been told to brace for extensive mid-year cuts to make up for state budget shortfalls. In the midst of a bleak economic outlook, one corporation has stepped up to make a difference.

NRG El Segundo Power, LLC has been a generous ESEF Corporate

Partner for ten years. Despite the down-turn in the economy, the company continues to support the El Segundo Educational Foundation and recently increased its annual contribution.

"It's pretty evident that the schools will be challenged for funding. In addition to our annual donation of $20,000 this year we decided to make a larger contribution. We sensed the manifest need created by the expected shortfall in State funding coupled with the challenges presented by the current economy, and we decided to help fill the gap," says Keith Richards, President of El Segundo Power, LLC and a Corporate Director on the ESEF Board for the past four years.

"NRG believes in the value of education and aims to support educational initiatives in communities where we have a local presence," added Richards. "Investing in the local community is one of our core values, and as an employer, we believe an investment in education is an investment in our future. Our hope is that this gift will help the current situation, and more importantly, encourage other business leaders to see beyond the current down-turn and renew their giving as well."

"We are extremely encouraged by NRG's commitment to step up and increase their giving this year," said El Segundo City Councilmember Bill Fisher. "At a time when others might consider cutting back, they are standing strong and continuing to give generously. NRG has made a bold and encouraging statement, and it sends a great message which has proved important when speaking with others." Councilman Fisher went on to say, "As Chair of the ESEF Corporate Giving Committee, we are grateful for NRG's commitment and support of the kids of our community."

In 1998, NRG bought the El Segundo power plant from Southern California Edison. The Company currently has more than 3,400 employees nationwide and sees their investment in education as part of their greater responsibility to the community and to helping build a strong, competitive local workforce.

For more information about the ESEF's Corporate Partners, visit our website or click here for a list of current Corporate Partners.