See the nine nonprofits that received this year's Employee Choice Grants

Community is a top priority at Xcel Energy. Through our company and the Xcel Energy Foundation, our charitable arm, our employees, contractors and retirees donate millions of dollars and volunteer thousands of hours every year, supporting causes meaningful to them while addressing needs unique to the places where they live and work.  

Last year, employees and retirees donated $3.4 million to community and nonprofit organizations through our employee giving programs and annual Giving Campaign. 5,400 employees, retirees and community members volunteered at Xcel Energy events, like our annual Day of Service.  

Earlier this year, employees also participated in our annual Employee Choice Grant program, which invites them to nominate nonprofits in the state where they work to receive grant funding. Panels of employees help select finalists that align with Xcel Energy’s values and our foundation’s focus areas, and employees vote for winners.  

Since the Employee Choice Grant program began in Colorado in 2015, it has expanded to all of Xcel Energy’s operating regions and has awarded approximately $400,000 to nonprofits. 

This year, employees nominated more than 350 organizations that serve a variety of needs in our communities, from food insecurity and veteran care to animal welfare and outdoor recreation. Here are the 2024 winners:  

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) of Minnesota Outdoors offers veterans healing and recreational therapy through outdoor activities like fishing and hunting. It received a $10,000 grant. DAV of Minnesota Outdoors’ goal is to positively engage veterans and help them increase their strength, endurance, connection with others and overall quality of life.  

Meals on Wheels of Amarillo received a $5,000 grant. It serves food to homebound seniors and disabled neighbors unable to prepare meals for themselves. For more than 50 years, the organization has provided hot, nutritious food and safety checks to Amarillo, Texas, residents.  

“Meals on Wheels is so grateful and thrilled to have been chosen as the Texas Employee Choice grantee winner,” said Susie Akers CFRE, Amarillo Meals on Wheels’ executive director. “It means the world to us knowing our volunteers value our mission and the important work we do in the Amarillo community.” 

Colorado Riverfront Foundation, which received a $20,000 grant, reclaims and preserves the riverfront, hosts concerts and supports trail maintenance in Grand Junction. It is the fiscal agent of One Riverfront, which is dedicated to fostering community connection by helping Grand Valley residents be stewards of the Colorado River and its resources, including parks, wetlands, marshes and more.  

“By coming together, our united presence and unique location will increase our science-based education and stewardship capability and magnify our long-term impact to shape our land and water future of the community, region and nation,” said John Gormley, Colorado Riverfront Foundation, Inc. board president. “We are excited to use our Xcel Energy grant funds for the interactive lobby of our new home, the Confluence Center.” 

Isaish's Soup Kitchen, which received a $5,000 grant, serves hot meals and provides meal boxes to hungry residents of Hobbs, New Mexico. It has served locals in need for over 30 years.  “This grant is especially important this year as the kitchen is serving twice the number of people now than this time last year,” said Isaiah’s Soup Kitchen’s board president, Meghan Mooney. 

Promise Kept Therapeutic Riding Center provides children and adults with equine-assisted activities and therapy to support mental and physical healing and behavioral improvements. The organization, located at Pine Lake Pastures near Baldwin, Wisconsin, received a $5,000 grant. 

“A grant from Xcel Energy will help benefit Promise Kept Therapy in many ways,” said Cheri Morton, director of Promise Kept Therapeutic Riding Center. “The funding will help provide newer and safer equipment for riders needing special accommodations. It will also help provide the necessary care, feed and supplements for our therapy horses, many of which are advancing in age and have greater needs. We are extremely grateful to Xcel Energy for its support of our equine-assisted therapy program.”  

North Dakota and South Dakota employees also participated in Employee Choice Grants for the first time. Fargo Service Center chose Great Plains Food Bank; Grand Forks Service Center chose Grand Forks Children's Museum; and Minot Service Center chose United Way Backpack Buddies. South Dakota employees selected St. Francis House.

Learn more about how the company gives back to the communities it serves through giving and volunteering.