Record number of local projects chosen for Dow grants
The Dow Community Advisory Panel (CAP) found more projects worthy of funding than they have in the last six years. Typically, the CAP has distributed $15,000 to four or five local organizations. Though the number of applications this year was fewer, they found a larger number of projects about which they were passionate. This resulted in six projects being chosen and nearly $25,000 in grants being given.
The Dow CAP is pleased to announce the six organizations that will be receiving this year’s grants. The grants vary from $3,000 to $5,000 each for a total of $24,740. The recipients are:
·Antioch High School Environmental Studies Academy (Antioch) – Garden restoration Project: replace greenhouse heater, build a chicken coop, create compost areas, construct a pond and more.
·Delta Science Center (Oakley) – Delta In-Classroom Education Program: purchase microscopes to bring into the fifth-grade science classrooms
·Independence High School (Brentwood) – Biology = Learning Outside: purchase of lab materials that will allow students to explore local ecology, specifically through entomology
·Los Medanos College Foundation (Pittsburg) – Nature Preserve Improvement Project: erecting two greenhouses, providing fresh water to promote growth of California native fruits and plants, and creating learning tools for visitors
·Orchard Park School (Oakley) – Inquiry-Based Science: materials and supplies to equip a science lab
·Lone Tree Elementary (Antioch) – Purchase of six new computers
The successful applicants designed projects that combined all of Dow’s criteria – education, science and the environment –, would reach a large number of residents and would have staying power; projects that, though the funding would be used in one year, would continue to have an impact for many years. CAP members were pleased with the variety of applications they reviewed and expressed their hope that the ideas won’t die just because they don’t get funded.
Members of the CAP Grants Committee ranked applications based on sustainability, overall impact, benefits to the community, emphasis, and the strength of their partnerships.
“We were surprised that so few non-profits and schools applied this year,” stated Darien Croce, a member of the Dow CAP who participated in the grants review process. “However, we were really pleased with the quality of applications. And nearly all fit Dow’s criteria to a ‘t’ so that made it doubly hard to choose. In fact, we appealed to Dow to allow us to increase the amount of grants just so we could fund some really worthy projects – and we’re grateful they complied. These six projects will have a far-reaching impact in our community.”
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.5 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
About Dow’s Pittsburg Operations
The Dow Chemical Company purchased the Pittsburg facility in 1939 from the Great Western Electrochemical Company. It is one of more than 150 manufacturing sites located in 37 countries around the world and supports two of Dow’s eight global businesses – Dow AgroSciences and Performance Chemicals. The Pittsburg facility produces a variety of products used in personal care products as well as a variety of crop protection products and intermediates. www.dowpittsburg.com
About the Dow CAP
The Dow Community Advisory Panel (CAP) is comprised of 14 members of the East Contra Costa community who serve to advise Dow on issues affecting both the community and Dow’s operations in the community.
