Glen Carbon, Illinois – September 17, 2026 – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois announced today it was awarded an American Water Charitable Foundation STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Education grant, supporting STEM-related curricular and extracurricular programs focused on expanding access to STEM opportunities for girls across Southern Illinois. This grant will be used to help strengthen the organization’s robust STEM and robotics programs throughout the 40 counties it serves.
Pictured are (front row, L to R): Amy Elik – State Representative, General Assembly; Erin Barriger – Director, Human Resources, Illinois American Water; Rebecca Losli – President, Illinois American Water; Loretta Graham – Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois; Heidi Koehl Weaver – Director of Development, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois; (back row, L to R): Sarah Kramer – Director, Communications & External Affairs, Illinois American Water; Dane Thull – Principal, Government Affairs, Illinois American Water
“We are honored to be awarded this grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation,” said Loretta Graham, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “It supports our belief that, by providing STEM experiences to girls throughout Southern Illinois, it empowers them to explore these fields and build skills they may not have the opportunity to do so otherwise. Because of this support, we will be able to build more girls of courage, confidence, and character through the exploration of STEM and robotics.”
The STEM Education grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. The Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., supporting high-impact projects and initiatives that further American Water’s commitment to the communities it serves.
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support initiatives and organizations, like Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, that provide access to high-quality learning students need to be successful,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “We take pride in supporting American Water’s continued efforts to be a responsible neighbor and reliable partner in the community.”
Learn more about our mission and community impact, gsofsi.org.