Surprise FirstEnergy Foundation "Gifts of the Season" Grants Make Spirits Bright for West Virginia and Maryland Nonprofits

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) announced the FirstEnergy Foundation awarded $40,000 in "Gifts of the Season" grants on Dec. 16, 2025 to two nonprofits in West Virginia and Maryland.

The grants — $20,000 each to Ronald McDonald House Morgantown and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Md. — will fund family lodging support for about 42 families and extra learning opportunities for about 150 children. The program will distribute $100,000 to eight nonprofits across five states in 2025 and has delivered $1.2 million since 2016.

Key Figures

Grant to each nonprofit $20,000 FirstEnergy Foundation Gifts of the Season 2025

Total WV/MD grants $40,000 Two nonprofits in West Virginia and Maryland

Program-wide grants 2025 $100,000 Eight nonprofits across five states in 2025

Families supported About 42 families Ronald McDonald House Morgantown lodging support

Annual families served More than 200 families Ronald McDonald House Morgantown per year

Children supported Approximately 150 children Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Md.

Program-to-date grants $1.2 million Gifts of the Season grants since 2016

Program duration 10 years Gifts of the Season program history

Market Reality Check

$44.61 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,564,986 vs 20-day average 4,921,038 (relative volume 0.72x). normal

Technical Price at 44.61, trading above 200-day MA of 42.81.

Peers on Argus

FE gained 0.79% with mixed peer moves: AEE +1.05%, WEC +1.09%, EIX +0.39%, PPL +0.35%, ES -0.03%. No broad sector momentum flagged.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 05	Debt exchange offer	Neutral	-0.5%	Administrative exchange of existing 4.750% 2033 senior notes.
Dec 01	Grid investment	Positive	-2.7%	Announced $368M LTIIP III grid upgrades under Energize365 program.
Dec 01	Education grant	Positive	-2.7%	FirstEnergy Foundation $10,000 grant to York College engineering program.
Dec 01	Customer assistance	Neutral	-2.7%	JCP&L outreach to help customers apply for Universal Service Fund aid.
Nov 20	Solar operations	Positive	+0.7%	Solar grazing with 350 sheep at 18.9 MW site using 50,000 panels.

Pattern Detected

Recent FE news has often been operational or community-focused; positive or neutral headlines sometimes coincided with short-term price declines.

Recent Company History

Over the last month, FE news included a $450 million senior notes exchange, a $368 million grid upgrade under the $28 billion Energize365 program, multiple customer and community-support initiatives, and an 80-acre solar grazing project with 30 MW of solar capacity across sites. Several community and infrastructure positives saw near-term price pressure, while the solar initiative aligned with a modest 0.71% gain. Today’s foundation grants continue the community-support theme.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights FirstEnergy Foundation’s role in community support, directing $40,000 to two nonprofits and $100,000 across eight organizations in 2025, with $1.2 million granted since 2016. It extends a series of customer, infrastructure and sustainability initiatives seen in recent months. Investors tracking FE may watch how such ESG-oriented commitments relate to regulatory developments, capital plans and longer-term customer relationships alongside the company’s existing infrastructure investment programs.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Awards of $20,000 each will help provide food, shelter and essential services

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, the FirstEnergy Foundation is sharing the spirit of giving by awarding $40,000 in "Gifts of the Season" grants to two nonprofit organizations making a positive impact in West Virginia and Maryland communities served by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric companies. Altogether, the Gifts of the Season program will provide a total of $100,000 to eight nonprofits across five states in FirstEnergy's service area in 2025.

As part of a commitment to help address housing insecurity and youth development, the Foundation awarded grants to organizations that meet critical needs of families in FirstEnergy's West Virginia and Maryland service area:

• Ronald McDonald House Morgantown ($20,000): The grant will help about 42 families stay comfortably at Ronald McDonald House Morgantown through the Jacob Johnson Family Lodging Fund. Since opening in 1990, Ronald McDonald House Morgantown has provided comfort and support to out-of-town families of children receiving medical care in the area. More than 200 families stay at Ronald McDonald House Morgantown annually, and many more are served through its day guest services.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Md. ($20,000): This grant will fund extra learning opportunities for approximately 150 children served by the organization. Since 1956, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County has paired adult mentors with children, helping them build strong, positive relationships that shape young lives.

Jim Myers, FirstEnergy's President of West Virginia and Maryland: "This season reminds us how important it is to come together and support our neighbors in ways that have an impact. By supporting organizations that provide food, shelter and life-changing opportunities, we're helping families find comfort in times of need and empowering our youth to thrive."

Marking 10 Years of Impact and Inclusion
Since 2016, the FirstEnergy Foundation's "Gifts of the Season" program has supported local nonprofits and community initiatives that bring people together and make our neighborhoods stronger. Now celebrating its 10th year, the program continues to grow and adapt to meet community needs, reflecting FirstEnergy's commitment to inclusion and care. The Foundation has been able to provide $1.2 million in grants since the "Gifts of the Season" program began.

About the FirstEnergy Foundation
The FirstEnergy Foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits that serve and meet the critical needs of customers in communities served by FirstEnergy's electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business. To date in 2025, the Foundation has distributed more than $5.5 million in community support across FirstEnergy's operational area.

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. For more information about grant opportunities or corporate sponsorships, visit the FirstEnergy Foundation webpage or email inquiries to FirstEnergy's Community Involvement team.

FirstEnergy Corp. is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surprise-firstenergy-foundation-gifts-of-the-season-grants-make-spirits-bright-for-west-virginia-and-maryland-nonprofits-302643622.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What grants did FirstEnergy Foundation announce on Dec. 16, 2025 for FE service areas?

The foundation awarded $40,000 total — two $20,000 grants to Ronald McDonald House Morgantown and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Md.

How will the $20,000 grant to Ronald McDonald House Morgantown be used?

The grant supports the Jacob Johnson Family Lodging Fund and will help about 42 families stay at the house.

What impact will the $20,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Md. have?

It will fund extra learning opportunities for approximately 150 children served by the mentoring program.

How much did the Gifts of the Season program allocate across 2025 and historically?

The program will provide $100,000 to eight nonprofits in 2025 and has provided $1.2 million since 2016.

Which states benefit from FirstEnergy Foundation's Gifts of the Season in 2025?

The program supports nonprofits across five states within FirstEnergy's service area in 2025.

Does FirstEnergy describe strategic priorities for these grants in West Virginia and Maryland?

The foundation said the grants focus on addressing housing insecurity and youth development in the local service area.