Direct Energy Presents Toronto's Faith and the Common Good $2,500 Grant

Toronto-area nonprofit to apply funds to Greening Sacred Spaces program.

TORONTO, ON – (May 29, 2013) – Direct Energy has presented a $2,500 Reduce Your Use For Good grant to Faith and the Common Good, a nonprofit network of people from different faiths and cultures who believe in working towards the common good. The grant is part of Direct Energy's Reduce Your Use for Good program; which has awarded 53 grants totaling $135,000 to nonprofits in North America since its inception in 2012.

The grant will be used towards Faith and the Common Good's Greening Sacred Spaces program. Greening Sacred Spaces assists faith communities with both the educational and spiritual dimensions of greening as well as the "how-to" side of audits, retrofits and generally reducing the faith community's footprint. They have developed workshops, posters, case studies, and more to help faith groups become community leaders in working towards a more sustainable future.

Through the Reduce Your Use for Good program, Direct Energy is offering nonprofits up to $100,000 in 2013 to implement energy-saving changes to their operations, and awards grants in $2,500 increments. Applications are available online at ReduceYourUseForGood.com and on the Direct Energy Facebook page.

"We are thrilled to recognize Faith and the Common Good for bringing faith communities together and promoting a sustainable future through energy efficiency with their Greening Sacred Spaces," said Scott Boose, President, Direct Energy Services. "The $2,500 Reduce Your Use For Good grant will allow Faith and the Common Good to reach out to new faith communities and help them reduce their energy use and make energy efficient upgrades . At Direct Energy, we truly believe in sharing our expertise and encourage our employees to get involved in making a difference in their community."

To apply for the grant, Faith and the Common Good submitted a short video showcasing their greening work with diverse faith groups.

"Direct Energy's support will enable us to help more faith communities see the greening opportunities in their sacred spaces and guide them on how to make changes towards greater energy efficiency, health and sustainability." said Dr. Lucy Cummings, Executive Director at Faith and the Common Good. "With over 80% of Canadians claiming a faith affiliation, supporting the green work faith communities are undertaking is important for all of us and our shared environmental legacy."

In an effort to use social media to drive social good, Direct Energy is leveraging its Facebook community to help award the grants. For every 2,500 new "Likes" Direct Energy receives on their Facebook page, they will award another nonprofit applicant with $2,500 to be used toward reducing their energy use and making energy efficiency upgrades.

To be eligible, organizations must have a current and active Registered Charitable Number in Canada or 501(c)(3) status in the United States, be registered with and be in good standing with the appropriate state registration agency, and be in a Direct Energy service area.

For more information, visit ReduceYourUseForGood.com.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

About Faith & the Common Good: Greening Sacred Spaces

Faith & the Common Good is an interfaith, intercultural registered charity devoted to engaging faith communities of all backgrounds in seeking common ground for the common good.
Faith & The Common Good's Greening Sacred Spaces program is an interfaith, non-profit, collaborative network that helps faith communities live out the call to protect our planet within their own context. Established by Faith & the Common Good in 2003, Greening Sacred Spaces provides educational resources, financial assistance and networking opportunities to help faith groups save money, reduce their environmental impact, and engage in meaningful conversations about the spirituality of sustainability.

To learn more about Faith and the Common Good: Greening Sacred Spaces, please visit www.greeningsacredspaces.net.

For further information, please contact:

Jeff Lanthier
Direct Energy
905-943-6260 – Office
647-221-4763 – Mobile
jeff.lanthier@directenergy.com