GRID Alternatives Inland Empire provides hands-on classroom education and curriculum, as well as invaluable on-the roof job training through its Solar Futures program. This program equips youth with the tools necessary to propel them into a promising solar career. GRID IE’s mission to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy could not be possible without our community partners. We are delighted to highlight one of these community partners, Pacific Premier Bank:
Q. How did Pacific Premier Bank first hear about our organization?
A. Pacific Premier Bank looks to partner and support organizations who are serving low-to moderate income and minority communities through Economic Development, Affordable Housing and Community Service opportunities. GRID Alternatives was introduced to us through other collaborative partnerships.
Q. What made Pacific Premier Bank decide to give their first gift?
A. GRID Alternatives is doing amazing work to transform under-sourced communities
and minority communities that disproportionately bear the burden of environmental
injustice and climate change by expanding access to clean, renewable solar energy
and providing job training in the solar industry. With the increase in demand for
skilled workers in the solar industry this program provides workforce development,
where participants receive real-world education and learn job skills that will
enable them to obtain a living-wage job in the solar industry. We are excited to
partner with GRID to not only reduce climate change, but to develop a workforce
with skills that will enable them to become self-sufficient.
Q. Why did Pacific Premier Bank decide to support the Solar Futures Program at
Desert Hot Springs High School?
A. We recognize the significance of the social and environmental challenges facing
our communities. In 2020 alone, we provided over $2.8 million in corporate giving
and volunteered over 9,000 hours with nonprofit organizations that foster diversity
and economic inclusion. Through our partnership with GRID, we are supporting
equitable renewable energy solutions that address opportunities for community
investment and leadership within the low- and moderate-income communities.
Supporting adaptive energy solutions and workforce development strategies in
disenfranchised neighborhoods reflect our broader commitment to help strengthen
the communities we serve.
Q. What does Pacific Premier Bank hope to accomplish through its philanthropy?
A. Pacific Premier Bank has a long-standing record of investing out time and capital to
help strengthen our communities and support organizations and initiatives that
foster diversity and economic inclusion. We work closely with organizations
dedicated to improving local communities and align with the United Nation’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including but not limited to; decent work
and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, good health and well-
being, gender equality, quality education, no poverty, and zero hunger.
Q. If you were talking to someone else about giving to our organization, what would
you tell them?
A. GRID is a great organization making true change not just through their
environmental focus but through their workforce development.
Q. What do you wish everyone knew about this cause?
A. GRID is providing more than just solar panels, they are addressing environmental
injustice through clean, renewable solar energy while also providing in demand job
training in the solar industry. This is a win-win for all!