The PPL Foundation awarded more than $450,000 in grants to 115 nonprofit organizations working toward a brighter tomorrow.

Funds will be used to inspire students to explore career opportunities, facilitate community conversations on diversity and inclusion, encourage environmental conservation in the next generation and much more.

“Through its grants, the PPL Foundation invests in innovative approaches to address critical social challenges and help build stronger, more sustainable communities,” said Ryan Hill, president of the PPL Foundation. “We’re proud to support the work of our nonprofit partners, working together to improve the lives and well-being of residents in the communities we serve.”

This year’s round of grants marks the first to include grants focused specifically on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Nearly 20 percent of the funding will support organizations working on efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion within communities served by PPL in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

A complete list of grant recipients is available online at https://www.pplweb.com/communities/ppl-foundation/sustaining-grants/.

PPL Foundation’s next grant cycle, which awards grants focused on major new initiatives and expansions of programs that align with the foundation’s focus areas, will begin in August.

Applications for grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 will be accepted Aug. 1 through Sept. 15.

Visit https://smex-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=www.pplcares.com&;umid=1c75a7c9-fc04-4edb-92fe-385496469938&auth=535da7a44b4448e3efacc7e853d4b7239c38757d-1bd213fd668f7f798428a2e843a7f6a996e901f5 to learn more.