Making Brighter Futures Together
At AEP, we aim to support and play an active, positive role in the communities where we live and work. We believe this is foundational to our vision of powering a brighter future.
We have been lighting the way for families to grow and businesses to prosper in communities across Appalachia, the Midwest and Southwest for over a hundred years. We donate our time, our resources and our dollars to organizations across our footprint.
AEP Foundation
The AEP Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and by providing support to help meet basic needs such as emergency shelter, affordable housing and eliminating hunger.
The Foundation also supports organizations whose mission and/or programming is committed to positive social justice outcomes. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, promote healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.
The following focus areas will be eligible for consideration by the Foundation:
- Improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education, with an emphasis in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
- Providing basic human services in the areas of hunger and housing to assure that people have the necessities to build successful lives.
- Embracing change and equity through sustainable programs that move social justice forward.
To qualify for a grant from our Foundation, you must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) public charity, a state or political subdivision, a government–owned or operated college or university, or an exempt operating foundation; and
- Be located within the AEP service territory or be national or regional in scope and have a purpose that is beneficial to the general public, the broad environment or the customers of American Electric Power.
Organizations and activities not eligible:
- The Foundation does not provide grants directly to any individuals for travel, study, healthcare or any other purpose.
- Religious organizations. The Foundation may consider grants requested by such an organization if it is an eligible organization and the grant would support non-sectarian social service activities that are available to the broad community.
- Fraternal and veterans organizations
- Programs that are solely athletic in nature and not connected to broader community or developmental goals.
- Organizations that, either through constitution or written policy, discriminate against others on the basis of political affiliation, religious belief, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race or sexual orientation.
- Certain supporting organizations.
How to Apply
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations must secure an invitation to apply by their local AEP Operating Company. Those organizations accepted for application will be directed to apply online. Requests are accepted throughout the year for consideration at regular meetings of the American Electric Power Foundation board of directors.
*For portions of East Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana
Tax Forms
- AEP Foundation 2023 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2022 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2021 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2020 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2019 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2018 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2017 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation 2015 Form 990–PF
- AEP Foundation – 2013 Form 990-PF
- AEP Foundation – 2012 Form 990–PF
Corporate Giving
AEP's Community Relations goal is: "To support and play an active, positive role in communities where we live and work." Providing financial support to nonprofit organizations within its service territories is just one way AEP works toward this goal.
Eligibility for Charitable Contributions
To be eligible for corporate contributions, organizations must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and benefit communities within AEP's service territory in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma or communities with major AEP facilities. Organizations receiving contributions must be in compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunities Act and other federal, state and local laws and regulations.
American Electric Power Company, Inc., its affiliates and the American Electric Power Foundation provide donations or grants only to organizations that do not, either through constitution or any written policy, discriminate against others on the basis of political affiliation, religious belief, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race or sexual orientation. Each organization applying for support must affirm in its funding request or in the AEP or AEP Foundation on-line grant application that it does not discriminate in this manner.
Corporate Giving Guidelines
Contributions are made principally in the areas of education, the environment and human services, such as hunger, housing, health, and safety.
- Priority is based on the perceived overall benefit to communities in the company's service area.
- In the area of education, preference is given to grades pre-K through 12 in the fields of science, technology and math.
- Multi–year commitments to capital campaigns generally do not exceed five years.
- AEP and its employees provide strong support to many annual United Way campaigns within our service territory; therefore, additional support to United Way agencies is limited.
Organizations and Activities Not Eligible
- Religious, fraternal, service and veteran organizations except for non-sectarian social service activities available to the broader community, such as a senior center or a church-owned housing project.
- Those with a purpose that is solely athletic in nature, not connected to a school or youth group with other developmental goals.
- Individuals.
Proposals and Submitting Requests
Requests for AEP corporate contributions are accepted electronically by invitation only. Written requests for local or statewide projects may be submitted to the appropriate AEP operating unit office:
We are committed to making a lasting and positive impact on our communities, through giving and service. AEP and the AEP Foundation have contributed over $31 million to charitable causes.
We're Neighbors, Let's Connect
We are committed to serving your family and our communities. Our staff of Community/External Affairs professionals throughout our 11-state service territory is here to serve you. Our team lives and works in your community, and connect with local community, governmental and business leaders.
Among other issues, you can contact your nearest Community Affairs manager to ask about the following.
- Franchise agreements
- Right–of–way ordinances
- Local ordinances
- Regulatory and legislative matters
- Related tax matters
- Service quality issues
- Community support programs
- AEP volunteerism and philanthropic efforts
- Educational resources
- Electrical safety information
- Customer Choice information
- Economic Development consultation
- Project siting
