Non-profits will be awarded prizes for environmental stewardship in CA including natural resource conservation (Photo: Flickr)

The Sempra Energy Foundation is ready to give away $1 million to environmentally-focused non-profit organizations this fall, with their new Environmental Champions Awards program. Applicants must explain what they would do to ‘green’ Southern California if they were given prize money, and each winner will receive between $25,000 and $100,000.

The program was created as part of an effort to recognize the environmental efforts of Southern California organizations. “There are so many organizations doing valuable, forward-thinking work for our environment, we want to encourage those efforts that are judged to have the most far-reaching positive benefits,” explained Jessie Knight Jr., chairman of the Sempra Energy Foundation.

The deadline to apply is September 4 and non-profits can submit their applications online. Winners will be announced on October 1 and will be chosen in each of three categories: natural resource protection and conservation, environmental education and environmental health.

In addition, from now until September 4, all Sempra Energy employees will have an opportunity to donate funds to a select list of non-profit environmental organizations in Southern California, and the Sempra Energy Foundation will match the contribution dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 each.

• Learn more about the awards program
• Read the Sempra Energy press release: “Sempra Energy Foundation Sets $1 Million Environmental Challenge for Southern California“