Chevron Corporation announced the California Partnership, an initiative to invest in education and economic development in its home state. Under the new initiative, Chevron will expand and deepen its partnerships with nonprofits focused on supporting underserved communities, including relationships with 18 new nonprofit partners providing programs for education, entrepreneurs and job training. Additional partners will be introduced throughout the remainder of 2009.

The California Partnership represents a $7 million enhancement to Chevron’s community engagement investments in the state, bringing Chevron`s total investments in 2009 to approximately $28 million. Nonprofit partners receiving funds from the California Partnership have demonstrated innovative approaches with proven track records for delivering economic and educational benefits to those in need.

Among the organizations that are part of Chevron’s California Partnership is Project Lead the Way, the nation`s leading provider of science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) education programs for middle school and high school students. Project Lead the Way provides students with a foundation and proven path to college and career success in STEM fields. With Chevron`s contributions, Project Lead the Way – which currently reaches nearly 350,000 students – will be able to expand existing programs or introduce new opportunities in the Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley and the Los Angeles Basin, where Chevron’s major business is concentrated.

Chevron’s California Partnership will also be supporting Kiva.org, the world`s first person-to-person micro-lending website that allows individuals to make small loans to entrepreneurs online. Chevron is making a contribution to Kiva.org to assist in funding the organization`s operations as they continue to build their innovative microfinancing platform, which is already available to California small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Other nonprofits supported through the California Partnership include Teach for America, which will target new programs for Richmond schools, and WE Invest, which provides tools and resources that help women become more financially self-sufficient.

Chevron announced the California Partnership at an event in San Francisco on Wednesday morning. As part of the event, Chevron hosted a panel discussing innovative approaches to public-private partnerships featuring Chevron nonprofit partners Kiva.org, DonorsChoose.org, Project Lead the Way and Teach for America.

A video of the discussion will be available online at: www.chevron.com/CA.

Chevron California Partnership Nonprofit & Community Partners for 2009

Education

• California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) – REVS-UP program for STEM education in local middle and high schools, and creation of a new STEM
• Activities Center at CSUB
• Contra Costa County Office of Education – online media services to local districts and schools
• DonorsChoose.org – providing grants to teachers to purchase tools for STEM education
• Project Lead the Way – preparing middle and high school students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
• Project SEED – teaching high-level mathematics to increase education options for urban youth
• Science Buddies – online resource for science fair projects and content for class assignments
• Teach For America – places high-achieving college graduates as teachers in low-performing schools
• Techbridge – a hands-on after school science program for young girls

Economic Development

• AnewAmerica – business incubation, asset-building and social responsibility for entrepreneurs
• THE BREAD PROJECT- career training program for low-income people with barriers to employment
• EARN – asset-building services to help low-wage workers to escape poverty permanently
• GoodwillAcademy – post-secondary vocational education and help for those with little work experience
• Jewish Vocational Services – vocational training and employment services
• Kiva.org – person-to-person microlending website for small businesses and entrepreneurs
• Opportunity Fund – provides loans to low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Opportunity Junction – helping low-income adults build sustainable economic self-sufficiency
• WE Invest – provides tools and resources to help women achieve financial self-sufficiency
• Women`s Initiative for Self Employment – training, resources and support for women entrepreneurs

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