1 Partnerships - “A Key to Success” Linda Barnes Entergy Corporation Manager, Low-Income Initiatives Corporate Social Responsibility

2 What Wayne Leonard Found After he Joined Entergy  Three of the nation's 10 counties with the highest child poverty rates are in Louisiana and Mississippi.  11 of the 38 counties with child poverty rates higher than even the poorest U.S. cities are rural counties in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi—all in Entergy's service area.

3 What Wayne Leonard Found After he Joined Entergy  20 to 30 % of Entergy’s customers qualify for federal assistance (Food Stamps, LIHEAP)  The four Entergy served states are the poorest in the nation  Over 40% of the region is very rural with limited social services in these areas

4 Low-Income Customer Assistance: Where it all begins  CEO Wayne Leonard’s vision and commitment: –Effective corporate assistance for the disadvantaged in our service areas. –Most important: No longer view low-income assistance as an expense or a burden. –If accomplished properly through investment rather than handouts, low-income customer assistance is a sound business strategy that can achieve social improvements while strengthening the bottom line.

5 Strategic Focus  Improve the flow of assistance funds to needy customers from all sources.  Provide customers with tools to help manage their bills.  Move low-income customers to self-sufficiency.

6 Building Relationships  Strong Partnerships  Low-income Summits  Quarterly Information Meetings  Grants  Communication

7 Reaching Out to Those in Need “Not a Hand Out But a Hand UP” Traditional, Unique, Old, New - “Any Way That Gets the Message Out”  LIHEAP Awareness Campaign –Direct Mail –Partnership with –LIHEAP Day –Brochures and Posters Distribution channels –Local community action agencies –Payment Centers –Customer Care Offices –Other utilities –Faith-based Organizations and Retirees –Automated Outbound Calls

8 Partnerships Work  Grant Programs Grant Station- Website for potential funding sources –Entergy purchased 64 GrantStation Memberships in Fall 2008 and distributed to nonprofits based in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. –Total purchase price: $14, –Over 220 times return on investment for Entergy. –GrantStation surveyed the 64 nonprofit organizations in July 2009 (14 respondents) and in November 2009 (18 respondents). –Participants in this program reported $3,263, in grants awarded during the one year time period. –Participants applied for over $5 million in grants, of which $832,000 is still pending a decision by the grant maker.

9 Partnerships Work  Mississippi United Way Pilot –Pilot partnership for case management –Special mailing to 350 targeted customers referring to for assistance –EITC and LIHEAP information included in mailing –Impact tracked and results reported

10 Partnerships Work Supporting the Cause –Partnership with IRS to Support EITC Bill inserts VITA sites Media support Posters and brochures –Web-based Support IRS link on Entergy’s Low-Income Web site –The Extra Mile Blast to faith-based partners Automated outbound calls “Interactive Voice Recording” Message Third party partnerships Super tax day support

11 Ally Development & Summit Process Networks for Those in Need  How it works –Annual meeting –Entergy State CEO and Executives –Workshops, speakers, training –Announce new programs  Benefits –Gain feedback on current programs –Identify needs –Face to face communication -- “we are on the same side of the table.” –Nationally recognized program since 1999

12 Grants from Entergy/Entergy Charitable Foundation Funding for Those in Need  Approximately $15,000,000 annually –Entergy Charitable Foundation –Grants directed by Low-Income Champions –Entergy Corporate Giving  Return on Investment: –Increased disposable income for grant program participants –Reduced bill delinquency /non-payment –Economic development –Corporate image

13 Communications Through the Ally Network  Advocate Power Newsletter  Annual Progress Report  Credit Power Program  Fulfillment Center

14 The “Fuller” Partnership  How it all began: –Entergy Arkansas Low-Income Summit Mr. Millard Fuller inspired all but especially John Reddell –First Arkansas Chapter was born –June 2009 Chapter’s first event. “SWEEP” – Sharing Weatherization Efforts with Elderly People Eight homes weatherized 60 volunteers $5000 Entergy grant supported

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