'GIVE' program expanded to U.S. retirees; grant amounts increased The PPG Industries Foundation has expanded its Grant Incentives for Volunteerism by PPG Employees (GIVE) program to include U.S. PPG retirees, doubled the base grant amount from $250 to $500, and increased that grant to $1,000 for participants who serve as board members, effective immediately. With the expanded program, U.S. retirees and employees may apply annually for one $500 grant to an organization for which they volunteer, OR one $1,000 grant to an organization for which they serve on the board of directors. The improvements were approved after carefully considering feedback received in a recent survey of U.S. employees and retirees, according to Sue Sloan, executive director of the foundation. "PPG retirees across the nation are extremely generous with their volunteer efforts, and we want to reward it through GIVE," Sloan said. "GIVE encourages and rewards employees' and retirees' active involvement in volunteerism by supporting the organizations that matter to them. "Our employees and retirees have a rich history of community involvement, and we feel it's important that the foundation link a portion of its grant-making activity to recognizing these efforts." Employees who have already applied for 2008 GIVE grants are automatically eligible for the increased grants of $500 or $1,000 and will be contacted, as appropriate, regarding board membership, Sloan said. Each eligible organization may receive grants through up to 10 different PPG-affiliated volunteers per year. Applications are being accepted beginning April 28 for all volunteer activity in 2008. "We encourage every U.S. employee and retiree to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance our communities by volunteering and participating in the GIVE Program," Sloan said. For more about the GIVE Program or to apply online, visit http://PPGFoundation.ppg.com.