HISTORY OF THE YOUTH INVESTMENT PROGRAM

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The Stewardship Council’s youth investment program’s mission is to connect California youth with the natural world.

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The youth investment program provides grants to programs in the PG&E service area that:

• connect youth with the outdoors;

• foster the development and sharing of best practices in the field of outdoor education and youth stewardship opportunities; and

• provide seed money to establish a permanent program to connect youth to the outdoors.

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The program was funded with $30 million provided by PG&E in accordance with a bankruptcy settlement agreement between PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission.

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In 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission's order approving the settlement agreement was clarified to state that a “reasonable portion of the funds, as approved by the Stewardship Council board, would be used to provide seed money that would establish a permanent program for young people who are least likely to enjoy the wonder of California’s natural beauty.”

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Therefore, to create this permanent program, and to generate funds for youth programs focusing on outdoor education and experiences, the Stewardship Council established Justice Outside (formerly Youth Outside). In 2013, the Stewardship Council awarded a $10.7 million grant to Justice Outside, effectively transferring its remaining youth program net assets to this public charity.

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Justice Outside uses these grant funds to provide greater resources to connect children, youth, and young adults in the PG&E service territory to nature, parks, open spaces, and the outdoors, and will particularly serve the needs of underserved youth. A portion of the grant funds are being used to provide seed money to establish a permanent program for young people who are least likely to enjoy the wonder of California’s natural beauty.