Our commitment to care

In a matter of months, the definition of ‘normal life’ has completely shifted. As we adapt to a crisis that is not bound by location, demographic, or resources, the only way to ‘beat’ this challenge is collective action. I find solace in the indomitable spirit of our global, national, and local communities. The response to this pandemic reinforces the unbreakable spirit of us as individuals and the even greater power we have when we work together.

At NRG, we’ve been wholly focused on the safety and well-being of our employees and communities. We adopted the CDC’s prevention guidelines across all of our facilities and restricted access to our plants. We’ve directed as many employees as possible to work from home and promoted the virtual ways for our customers to safely reach us.

We’ve also worked to identify, quantify, and understand the unique needs in each of the communities where we live and work so that we could provide support where it’s most needed.

• We connected with first responders, who are spending each day testing, treating, and helping people.
• We learned about the great need for funding in communities striving to protect and feed our most vulnerable.
• We listened to our employees, who lauded the work of teachers who continue to provide their children with education and care during this uncertain time.

Further, we understood that these were vital areas of need that traditional means of funding and providing resources were having difficulty filling. So, we set ourselves to filling in the gaps. We have access to PPEs and other safety equipment that first responders so critically need. Our funds could bolster efforts by local city and nonprofit organizations that are on the ground providing resources to the communities in which we live and work. With the right partner, we could even allow our employees to be a part of the process of giving and contribution, by nominating the teachers that touch their daily lives. And that’s what we’ve done.

NRG pledged $2 million in the fight against COVID-19:

• $750k to First Responders, and $100k worth of Safety Supplies and equipment
• $500k to City and community funds
• $250k to Educators through donorschoose.org

Additionally, we understood the needs of our employees during this difficult time, and we allocated an additional $400k in funding to the NRG Employee Relief Fund, which has been used in the past to assist employees adversely impacted by natural disasters and other extraordinary events.

Our employees have also shown a deep understanding and desire to help those most affected by the crisis. Looking to maximize the impact of their contributions, NRG employees have chosen to donate to essential relief organizations. Through our disaster relief initiative, each of these personal donations have been triple matched by the company, resulting in a total contribution of $40k, with more donations being made by our employees every day. Driven to help and with the ability to choose the organizations aided, a large portion of employee contributions are going to local food banks that continue to feed those most vulnerable during this crisis. The heart and consideration of our employees for those most affected by the crisis is not something I note only with pride but is reflective of both who we are as individuals and as a company.

Our culture is one of caring for one another, respecting and serving our communities, and helping those who are in need. This is a fight that cannot be won individually, it’s our privilege to play a role in lending support to the critical individuals that are helping us navigate this uncertain time. As the facilitator of our charitable giving program, I spend my days building lasting partnerships that help find solutions. And at no time has this job and my passion for building and sustaining these relationships felt more critical than in our current times.

I find myself hard-pressed to find the words to encompass the amount of respect, appreciation, and gratitude that all of us feel for those fighting, but one thing is for sure, no one is in this alone. We stand with you and we will get through this, together.