Education grants (Cycle 1)

Education grants (Cycle 1) is sponsored by CenterPoint Energy Foundation. Supports nonprofit programs and initiatives focused on education, including literacy, science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM), and workforce development. Prioritizes programs serving low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities.

Centerpoint Energy Foundation | CenterPoint Energy CenterPoint Energy Foundation The CenterPoint Energy Foundation invests in the communities we serve by supporting programs that create lasting impact. We focus on education and community vitality to help build a brighter future for all our neighbors.

Apply for a grant (opens in new window) Review guidelines Investing in community vitality and education The CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst for change, turning everyday opportunities into extraordinary outcomes. We invest in initiatives that improve lives today while building a strong foundation for tomorrow. We focus on creating a high quality of life in the communities we serve.

CenterPoint recognizes that our success and the success of our neighbors are linked to the vitality of our communities. From the Gulf Coast of Texas to neighborhoods in Minnesota, our foundation works with local leaders to address the specific needs of the regions we serve. Stable housing and a skilled science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce are the foundation of a resilient energy grid and a thriving economy.

Through strategic grant funding, we aim to strengthen the places where we live and work by investing in resources that help entire communities grow stronger. We direct our resources toward two strategic areas that drive meaningful change in the communities we serve. We support initiatives that make our communities better places to live.

Our focus includes affordable housing programs that help families find stable homes, projects that improve outdoor spaces where people gather and initiatives that help communities become more sustainable. Stable housing creates the foundation for families to thrive and for our energy infrastructure to serve communities effectively. We look for programs that create lasting benefits and support those who need it most.

Impact Model — Community Vitality (PDF) We invest in programs that open doors to learning and opportunity. This includes efforts to improve literacy rates so more people can read and write with confidence, support for STEM programs that prepare students for in-demand careers in the energy sector and beyond, and workforce development initiatives that help people gain valuable job skills.

A skilled STEM workforce strengthens both our communities and the energy industry that serves them. We prioritize programs that expand access to education for under-served and under-resourced populations. Impact Model — Education (PDF) Application resources and guidelines We have created a straightforward process to help organizations apply for funding from the foundation.

Start by reviewing our guidelines to see if your program aligns with our priority areas of community vitality and education. The resources available here include detailed application guidelines, foundation overviews and impact models that show how we measure success. You can also review our foundation impact overviews and fact sheets to understand how we are making a difference in specific locations.

Download these documents to prepare your application and learn more about the types of programs we support: Foundation information overview (PDF) Foundation fact sheet (PDF) Making a measurable difference We believe in accountability and transparency. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation tracks and shares the outcomes of our investments to show the tangible impact we are creating in partnership with community organizations.

Our impact models for education and community vitality outline the specific goals we are working toward and how we measure progress. We publish annual reports that highlight the programs we've funded and the positive changes they've created for people in our service areas. By working with dedicated nonprofits and engaged employees, we are building communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Doubling our impact: Employee matching gifts Easy Match is CenterPoint's matching gift program through the CenterPoint Energy Foundation. This program encourages our full-time employees to become personally involved in the well-being of the communities where they live and work. When employees make financial contributions to qualifying charitable organizations that matter to them, we match those gifts dollar for dollar.

This approach doubles our collective impact and helps the causes you care about receive twice the support. By working together with our employees, we expand the reach of community investments across all four states we serve. CenterPoint employees initiate all Easy Match requests.

Frequently asked questions about the CenterPoint Energy Foundation Who is eligible to apply for foundation grants? Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that operate in our service areas are eligible to apply. Programs should align with our focus areas of community vitality or education and serve under-resourced populations in the communities where we provide energy services.

How do I start the application process? Begin by reviewing the guidelines and review our impact models to understand how we measure success. Then submit your application during our open application period.

We recommend reaching out early if you have questions about eligibility. How does the Easy Match program work for employees? CenterPoint Energy employees can initiate matching gift requests for their personal donations to qualifying charitable organizations.

The foundation matches employee contributions dollar-for-dollar to eligible non-profits. All requests must be initiated by the employee through the Easy Match system. Where does the foundation provide funding?

The CenterPoint Energy Foundation supports programs in the states where we provide energy services, including Ohio, Texas, Minnesota and Indiana. While the foundation is centrally managed, our investments are localized to address the specific needs of each region we serve.