SAN DIEGO, Aug. 10, 2009 – If you had $100,000 what would you do to “green” Southern California?  That is the challenge that the Sempra Energy Foundation has posed to non-profit organizations with an environmental focus.  Those chosen will receive between $25,000 and $100,000, as part of a new $1 million Environmental Champions Awards program created to recognize the environmental efforts of Southern California organizations.
 
        Non-profits can submit their applications at www.sempraenergyfoundation.org from now until Sept. 4 in one of three categories: natural resource protection and conservation; environmental education; or environmental health. 
 
        “There are so many organizations doing valuable, forward-thinking work for our environment, we want to encourage those efforts that are judged to have the most far-reaching positive benefits,” said Jessie Knight Jr., chairman of the Sempra Energy Foundation.  

        Sempra Energy Foundation will announce the winners Oct. 1. 

        Each category offers many options.  For example, in the natural resource protection and conservation category, a non-profit could choose to restore a habitat, protect wildlife or conserve natural resources.
 
        Those who choose the environmental education category could create a program that educates the public as stewards for the environment, develops ecosystem awareness, or promotes energy and water efficiency.

        Non-profits focused on the environmental health category could craft a plan to improve water and air quality, expand a green space or improve sustainable food systems.

        In addition, from now until Sept. 4, all Sempra Energy employees will have an opportunity to donate funds to a select list of non-profit environmental organizations in Southern California.  The Sempra Energy Foundation will match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 each.

        In June, the Sempra Energy Foundation donated $1.5 million to non-profits that focused on serving people in need.   In addition, Sempra Energy employees’ donations were matched by the Sempra Energy Foundation for a total of $177,000 to that cause. 

        The Sempra Energy Foundation is the 501(c)(3) private foundation of Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2008 revenues of nearly $11 billion.  The Sempra Energy companies’ 13,600 employees serve more than 29 million consumers worldwide.  For more information on the Sempra Energy Foundation, visit www.sempraenergyfoundation.org.
 
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