Brewer teams with River Network to donate nearly $60,000 through online voting competition
MillerCoors in partnership with the River Network, this week kicked off an online grant competition to award nearly $60,000 in grants to non-profit organizations in six communities to fund projects focused on water conservation, education and protection. Now in its fourth year, Miller- Coors and River Network, a national non-profit organization focused watershed protection with more than 600 local member organizations, have awarded nearly $250,000 to date.
“MillerCoors depends on water to brew beer, and by partnering with organizations like River Network we believe we can help improve local watersheds,” said Kim Marotta, director of corporate social responsibility for MillerCoors. “In the past four years, the MillerCoors – River Network grant competition garnered more than 50,000 votes from individuals across the world, and we are excited to further engage communities on water issues that affect everyone, everywhere.”
The winning organization will be chosen by the public through an online voting contest. The finalist organization with the most votes will receive a $25,000 grant. The five remaining projects will also receive funds, with second place receiving a $15,000 grant, third place receiving a $10,000 grant, and the three remaining projects each receiving $2,000.
River Network and the six finalist organizations share MillerCoors commitment to water stewardship. MillerCoors has set a goal to reduce water usage to 3.5 barrels of water to one barrel of beer by 2015. The company also recently completed a comprehensive watershed mapping exercise to better understand water risks in its eight major brewery communities, three of which are located in water-stressed or water-scarce areas.
“Healthy rivers are vital to the health and future of our communities,” said Todd Ambs, president of River Network. “Through this partnership, MillerCoors is supporting the protection and restoration of waterways across the country that will produce long-term benefits for people, fish and wildlife, and future generations.”
MillerCoors and River Network encourage people to vote for their favorite project through March 19, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. (PST) at http://www.rivernetwork.org/millercoorsriver-network-grant-contest-2012. The winners will be announced on March 23, 2012. Further information on Miller- Coors sustainable development and water stewardship programs can be found on GreatBeerGreatResponsibility. com.
Since the program’s inception, MillerCoors has donated nearly $250,000 to local watershed protection organizations across the country, including Milwaukee-local River Revitalization Foundation, third place winner in 2011. This year, the contest’s finalists span from coast to coast and include:
- Friends of Marsh Creek in Oakley, California
- Ohio River Foundation in Cincinnati
- Friends of the Mississippi in St. Paul, Minnesota
- Clinton River Watershed Council in Rochester Hills, Michigan
- Lake Champlain International in Burlington, Vermont
- Friends of the Rappahannock in Fredricksburg, Virginia
