Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester Receives $5K Grant from the Avangrid Foundation and RG&E

ROCHESTER, NY — October 27, 2021 — The Avangrid Foundation in partnership with Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, recently presented Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester with a $5,000 grant as part of its #AVANgives community program. The donation will help Big Brothers Big Sisters further support its mission of empowering children to live up to their full potential through mentorship throughout the Greater Rochester region and the four counties the program serves.

The Avangrid Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the AVANGRID family of companies, provided grants to 10 recipients nominated by AVANGRID employees located in and around AVANGRID’s utility service areas and wind and solar facilities, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon. This year’s theme, “Reconciliation and Recovery,” focuses on nonprofits dedicated to diversity, inclusion, representation, social justice and equity. To qualify, the organizations must serve marginalized communities and/or support programs that further advance post-COVID recovery.

“We are thankful for community-minded partners, and we are thrilled to receive this grant from the Avangrid Foundation,” CEO Lisa Mattoon said. “During these uncertain times, now, more than ever, Big Brothers Big Sisters is doing everything it can do to meet the needs of the children we serve. Financial support from the Avangrid Foundation will help our organization continue to match the many youth who are awaiting a mentor.”

“I have been matched with my little brother for more than eight years and have tried to open up new opportunities for him that he may not get anywhere else,” said David Pasternack, substation operations supervisor at RG&E and AVANgives nominator. “The Big Brothers Big Sisters program works with Rochester-area youth and is in line with the types of community programs the AVANgives program was looking to support. There is a lack of male mentors in our region – it is exciting for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester to receive this grant and allow for future matches to develop lifelong connections!”

“This grant means even more because we were nominated by one of our mentors who has been a Big for more than eight years and is also an employee of AVANGRID,” Mattoon said. “The recognition is a testament to the positive impact our program has on not only our Littles’ lives, but our Bigs, as well. Adult volunteers are matched with a child based on shared connections to ensure the impact is life-changing for both.”

In 2019, the Avangrid Foundation launched the #AVANgives campaign to recognize outstanding organizations as identified by our employees in our communities, with a different focus each cycle. The inaugural 2019 series focused on youth. In 2020, #AVANgives elevated organizations that work for diversity and inclusion, with special attention to women and girls in honor of 100 years of female suffrage.

About Avangrid Foundation

The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where AVANGRID, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2002, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $28 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit avangridfoundation.org.

About RG&E

Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximate-ly 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit rge.com.

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About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

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