Delivering natural gas for a better tomorrow is at the heart of what we do, but we also are committed to supporting the communities we serve in meaningful ways.
We take our responsibility as a valued corporate citizen seriously and believe in giving back with our resources, time and talent to help create a better quality of life.
Below are the top 5 things you should know about Kansas Gas Service and the ONE Gas Foundation’s charitable giving.
1. ONE Gas Foundation grants are NOT tied to corporate dollars or what customers pay on their gas bills.
The ONE Gas Foundation is a separate, nonprofit entity funded outside of ONE Gas, Inc, the parent company of Kansas Gas Service.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the ONE Gas Foundation does not benefit from its charitable contributions or seek political influence.
2. Kansas Gas Service helps advance important local initiatives through the ONE Gas Foundation.
Through the ONE Gas Foundation, Kansas Gas Service helps advance safety initiatives, disaster recovery, education and workforce development and collaboration with local organizations to leverage resources.
“We take a thoughtful approach to giving,” said Heather Earl, ONE Gas Foundation philanthropic manager. “Whether it’s supporting relief assistance to residents impacted by
COVID-19, providing meals to frontline workers across our service territories, or helping organizations provide vital services where it’s needed most.”
3. Less than one penny from our customers each month goes towards building stronger communities.
In Kansas, utilities like ours can incorporate a portion of charitable and civic donations into its base rates. As a result of our last rate case in 2017, only $70,000 was included for recovery. That means less than one penny per month, or $0.11 per year per customer, from customer rates is used to advance the common good of the communities where we operate.
4. Our regulators review all charitable donations.
Kansas Gas Service provides a full accounting of donations and expenses to the Kansas Corporation Commission in rate case proceedings. This review includes membership dues to organizations like the American Gas Association, Southern Gas Association and others.
Our participation in professional organizations benefits our customers by allowing us to connect to other local distribution companies across the U.S. to share industry-wide best practices on safety, reliability, affordability and how to best use natural gas and our delivery systems as part of a cleaner energy future.
5. Kansas Gas Service employees help to energize our communities.
At Kansas Gas Service, we understand the importance of giving back to those we serve.
We have a dedicated Community Relations team situated throughout the state who keep their hands on the pulse of local communities and help to identify areas where we can make a difference. In addition, many of our employees, their families and friends volunteer for organizations and events where they live and work.
“The work we do in the community is about making a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people around us,” said Lindsay Freeman, state manager of Kansas Gas Service Community Relations. “Even with the constraints of the pandemic, our employees search out unique ways to raise money to donate to organizations and continue to be generous supporters of our United Way campaigns.”
Whether it’s ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas or providing financial relief and emergency resources where it’s needed most, we’re here to support our communities.
For us, it’s about building a better tomorrow for everyone.
Click here for an overview of ONE Gas Foundation grants, United Way contributions, public school funding and employee volunteer hours.
