On Wednesday, Meta’s Eagle Mountain Data Center revealed the winners of this year’s community action grants, awarding 27 organizations with the funds to carry out projects intended to make a positive difference in the lives of students and community members.

Meta’s Community Action Grants program has awarded checks to nonprofits and schools in Utah County, as well as given volunteer service through its employees, for three years.

“The Meta team is proud that these are not only monetary grants, they are opportunities to volunteer, mentor and give back to our neighbors — because we don’t just work here, we live here too. Our favorite part is seeing the positive impact in-person, standing alongside the selfless people of Utah County who are dedicated to giving back to others,” said William Marks, Meta’s community development manager.

Centro Hispano, a nonprofit that started 20 years ago as a way to provide resources in Spanish to the Hispanic community, was awarded $8,000 to fund programming classes that will help clients gain workforce skills, such as learning coding, web design, Python and more.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to be recipients of this grant. It’s going to help a community that wants to learn to thrive here in the U.S., and to get those skills that they might need to continue on with their journey here,” said Abraham Hernandez, chief communications officer for Centro Hispano.

Nine schools in the Alpine School District won grants, funding projects involving robotics, coding, technology, 3D printing, gardening, graphic design, woodworking and more. A combined total of $55,020 was awarded to Fox Hollow, Cedar Valley, Pony Express, Parkside and Valley View elementary schools, as well as Orem Junior High, Vista Heights Middle School and the Dan Peterson School.

“As many schools in Alpine School District continue to receive grants from Meta, we thank the many employees and volunteers from their location in Eagle Mountain. As a business partner, they exemplify dedication to making a difference for students throughout the valley,” said David Stephenson, executive director of external relations and communications for Alpine School District.

The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Education Foundation was given $7,500 to purchase assistive technology that will help students with sensory loss learn about science, technology, engineering and math.

The school said in a Facebook post, “Thank you to Meta for awarding a community action grant to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Education Foundation. These funds will help USDB students with assistive technology for their educational and personal development. Meta, we appreciate your support!”

Other recipients included the Salt Lake Community College Foundation, the V School, United Way of Central and Southern Utah, Utah Valley University, Utah 4-H/USU Extension, Just For Kids of Utah County Inc., The Leonardo museum, ACE Mentor Program of Utah Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County, Tech-Moms, Eagle Mountain Art Alliance, Eagle Mountain Performing Arts Coalition, Equality Utah, Forge Forward Project, Provo Bicycle Collective and the Happy Giraffe Co.

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