What Alabama Power Foundation does

Alabama Power Foundation is a private corporate foundation founded in 1989 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. It operates as Alabama's largest corporate foundation, funded entirely through resources of Alabama Power Company (a subsidiary of Southern Company) that are independent of customer electricity rates. The Foundation's core offering is a portfolio of grant programs organized across five focus areas: Educational Advancement, Health and Human Services, Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Civic and Community Development, and Environmental Stewardship. Individual grant products include Champion Grants (up to $5,000 for grade 9-11 teachers), Scholar Grants (up to $5,000 for grade 2-8 teachers), Classroom Grants (up to $1,000, priority for Title I schools), Field Trip Grants (up to $2,500), Power to Play Grants (up to $2,500 for athletics/arts/music), Gateway Grants (up to $2,500 for municipalities), Good Roots Grants (up to $1,000 for tree planting), and Students to Stewards Grants (up to $2,500 for environmental education). The Foundation also operates the ABC Trust (Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund, est. 1992) which provides energy assistance and weatherization programs across 60 Alabama counties via Community Action Agencies, and the Impact Investing program launched in 2019 which has deployed more than $5M across 24 projects using Program Related Investments (balloon loans, convertible notes, lines of credit, loan guarantees). A new Community Scholars Program offering 59 scholarships of $2,500 each launches in April 2026.

The Foundation distributes grants through a Blackbaud-based online application portal, seven regional divisions (Birmingham, Southern, Eastern, Southeast, Western, Mobile, and statewide initiatives), and partner channels including Community Action Agencies, ADECA, and Scholarship America. It serves a highly distributed customer base of schools, K-12 teachers, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, faith-based organizations, municipalities, and low-income households (at or below 200% of federal poverty level). Underlying the grantmaking is a volunteer infrastructure of approximately 6,600 members organized through APSO (Alabama Power Service Organization, 5,935+ employee members across nine chapters) and Energizers (673 retiree members across nine chapters), which contributed over 55,800 service hours in 2025. The business model is best understood as an in-perpetuity corporate foundation endowment: the Foundation does not generate revenue from sales, has cumulative giving exceeding $303M since 1989 (including more than $125M to education), and is wholly funded by Alabama Power. The Foundation was not designed as a technology platform and operates no public APIs, proprietary AI systems, or core technology differentiators — its competitive position rests on brand, scale, decades of state-level relationships, and the volunteer ecosystem rather than on technology.

Name

Alabama Power Foundation

Legal name

Alabama Power Foundation

Website

https://powerofgood.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alabama Power Foundation is Alabama's largest corporate foundation, distributing grants across five focus areas (education, health, arts, civic, environmental) to schools, nonprofits, municipalities, and low-income households throughout its 60-county service territory, funded by Alabama Power Company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Foundation / Charitable Grant Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Renewable Energy & Clean Tech Access (Off-grid, Energy Poverty Solutions) (BPAGALAE)

Keywords

• Corporate foundation grants
• Community philanthropy programs
• Education grant funding
• Energy assistance programs
• Charitable impact investing

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grant Disbursements: The Alabama Power Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, and community initiatives across Alabama. Funding comes from resources independent of Alabama Power's customers. The foundation has awarded more than $303M since its founding in 1989, including more than $125M to education.
2. ABC Trust Programs: The Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund (ABC Trust), established by Alabama Power in 1992, provides energy assistance and weatherization programs. Total giving since inception is $37,588,900, including $24,197,709 for energy assistance, $1,505,793 for Efficiency Forward, and $5,158,046 for energy efficiency upgrades.
3. Impact Investing / Program Related Investments: Impact investing allows the Alabama Power Foundation to provide low-cost, mission-driven capital to organizations doing charitable work. Through its Program Related Investment program, the Foundation supports nonprofits and purpose-driven for-profit entities with flexible financing. Launched in 2019, this approach has enabled more than $5 million in investments across 24 projects using tools such as balloon loans, convertible notes, lines of credit, and loan guarantees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Alabama Power Foundation is a private corporate foundation that awards grants to nonprofit organizations, K-12 schools, colleges, municipalities, and low-income Alabama households across five focus areas (Educational Advancement, Health and Human Services, Arts & Cultural Enrichment, Civic & Community Development, Environmental Stewardship). It complements its grantmaking with the ABC Trust energy-assistance program, an Impact Investing / Program Related Investment program launched in 2019, and a volunteer network of more than 6,600 Alabama Power and Southern Company employees and retirees.

Product overview

Alabama Power Foundation operates as a portfolio of grant programs and community investment initiatives, not a unified technology product. The foundation offers targeted grant programs across five focus areas: Educational Advancement (Champion, Scholar, Classroom, Field Trip grants), Environmental Stewardship (Students to Stewards, Good Roots grants), Arts and Cultural Enrichment (Power to Play, Gateway grants), Health and Human Services (Efficiency Forward, Home Forward grants, Emergency Assistance, ABC Trust programs), and Civic and Community Development (Elevate, Foundation grants). Additional offerings include the Dorothy Crosby Legacy Award and an Impact Investing (PRI) program. All programs are accessed through a third-party grant management portal (Blackbaud) with no public API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ABC Trust: Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund - energy assistance and community support programs for low-income Alabamians, providing weatherization, emergency assistance, and grants
• Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO)
• Energizers
• Points of Light Advisory Council

Products and services

• Champion Grant Provides up to $5,000 to Alabama teachers in grades 9-11 for professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology to prepare students for college and career readiness in math and/or science.
• Classroom Grant Provides up to $1,000 to K-12 teachers for classroom materials that strengthen learning environments, with priority given to Title I public schools.
• Scholar Grant Provides up to $5,000 to teachers in grades 2-8 for professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology to raise student achievement in math or English language arts.
• Field Trip Grant Provides up to $2,500 in funding for educational field trips that support student learning and engagement.
• Students to Stewards Grant Awards up to $2,500 to K-12 schools for conservation education programs, outdoor classrooms, and environmental stewardship initiatives.
• Good Roots Grant Provides up to $1,000 to cities, towns, communities, educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) organizations for tree planting and community beautification efforts.
• Gateway Grant Offers up to $2,500 to municipalities for economic and cultural development projects including signage, website development, and marketing materials.
• Foundation Grant The most versatile grant supporting any of the Foundation's five focus areas: Educational Advancement, Civic and Community Development, Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Health and Human Services, and Environmental Stewardship.
• Power to Play Grant Provides up to $2,500 to expand opportunities in athletics, arts, and music for K-12 students, supporting schools and 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Elevate Grant Awards up to $5,000 to Alabama nonprofits providing workforce development and wraparound services.
• Efficiency Forward Grant Provides up to $10,000 to health and human service 501(c)(3) nonprofits for energy efficiency weatherization upgrades including HVAC systems, lighting, and insulation.
• Home Forward Grant Provides up to $6,500 for weatherization improvements to low-income homeowners with household income at or below 200% of federal poverty level, administered through Community Action Agencies in ABC Trust service counties.
• Emergency Assistance Programs Provides emergency support for energy, rent, mortgage, and food to low-income households through Emergency Cooling, Emergency Energy, Emergency Shelter, and Emergency Food Security programs, administered by Community Action Agencies.
• ABC Trust Community Grant Provides up to $500 annually to nonprofits and faith-based organizations serving low-income communities for health, human services, and energy assistance; households must be at or below 200% of federal poverty level.
• Dorothy Crosby Legacy Award Offers up to $10,000 to a nonprofit or community action agency honoring Dorothy Crosby's legacy in energy assistance and community service, covering elderly care, energy assistance, education, and health and human services.
• Impact Investing (Program Related Investment) Provides low-cost, mission-driven capital to nonprofits and purpose-driven for-profit entities using tools such as balloon loans, convertible notes, lines of credit, and loan guarantees.
• Community Scholars Program Offers 59 one-time scholarships of $2,500 each to high school seniors across Alabama Power's service territory (one per eligible county), administered through Scholarship America.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $303M awarded since founding in 1989
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992State agency that partners with ABC Trust to help pay energy bills, conduct weatherization projects, and support basic human needs for Alabama families.
• SAIL (Summer Adventures in Learning)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAIL is a coalition supporting high-quality summer learning programs across Alabama. Founded in 2012, SAIL has invested over $12 million in summer learning and helped more than 25,000 students. The Foundation partners with SAIL Reads to distribute books to students and combat summer slide.
• Alabama State Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency providing ASAP grants to support SAIL Reads program expansion to 1,400 students in 10 counties. Also partnered on Points of Light Advisory Council initiatives.
• Montgomery Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SAIL Reads program, providing the model for MGM Reads initiative that inspired the statewide expansion. Supports summer learning and literacy efforts.
• Junior League of BirminghamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization that coordinated book distribution for SAIL Reads, with 30 volunteers serving 33 hours to distribute books to SAIL programs around the state.
• Community Action AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent local agencies across Alabama that determine and deliver emergency assistance, weatherization services, and ABC Trust programs to families in need. ABC Trust partners with agencies across 60 counties.
• Scholarship AmericacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTrusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 60+ years of experience administering scholarships and educational grants. Handles Community Scholars Program application review and recipient selection for 59 scholarships.
• Auburn University College of Human SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity has managed the Harris Early Learning Center since 2012 and is a founding partner. Dean Susan Hubbard is a partner in the center's continued operations and legacy.
• St. Michael's Medical ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider serving low-income, uninsured residents of Calhoun County for 36+ years. The Foundation supports the clinic's expansion including a new facility and mental health services.
• UAB HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham hospital that received emergency patient transfers from St. Michael's Medical Clinic, demonstrating collaborative healthcare network serving uninsured patients.
• Points of Light FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit that inspires and activates volunteer service. Alabama Power Foundation's Points of Light Advisory Council connects emerging leaders with volunteer opportunities and grants.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Southern Company Foundation: The parent foundation of Alabama Power's parent company, Southern Company. Operates a parallel grantmaking and volunteer structure across multiple states, providing direct benchmark data on structure, scale, and program design for Alabama Power Foundation.
• NextEra Energy Foundation: Corporate foundation of NextEra Energy (FPL parent), with a sizable grantmaking program focused on education, environment, and disaster relief, as well as large employee volunteer engagement initiatives that mirror Alabama Power Foundation's structure.
• Entergy Charitable Foundation: Corporate foundation of Entergy Corporation operating across the Gulf South, with a similar portfolio of education, low-income energy assistance, environmental, and community development grants, including weatherization programs for low-income customers.
• Duke Energy Foundation: Corporate foundation of one of the largest U.S. investor-owned utilities, with a multi-state grantmaking footprint, large volunteer programs, and significant K-12 education and workforce development focus that closely mirrors Alabama Power Foundation's approach.
• Consolidated Edison Foundation: Corporate foundation of Con Edison, with a comparable multi-program structure spanning education, environment, energy assistance, and arts/culture, plus a robust employee volunteer program in its service territory.
• Georgia Power Foundation: Corporate foundation of Georgia Power, a fellow Southern Company subsidiary operating in the neighboring state. Operates under a near-identical model of grantmaking, volunteer engagement, and impact investing tied to a regulated utility parent, making it the closest direct comparable.
• Edison International Foundation: Corporate foundation of Edison International/Southern California Edison with a large portfolio of education, environmental, and community grants and a substantial employee volunteer network, providing a benchmark for scale and program design at utility foundations.
• Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation: Major U.S. utility corporate foundation with multi-state grant programs in education, environmental stewardship, and energy assistance, and an established volunteer network—directly comparable in structure and program mix to Alabama Power Foundation.
• Consumers Energy Foundation: Corporate foundation of Consumers Energy (Michigan), operating a similar portfolio of K-12 education, environmental stewardship, and community vitality grants, with an active employee volunteer program, providing a strong structural comparable.

Regional players

• TVA Community Engagement: Tennessee Valley Authority's community investment arm serving the broader Tennessee Valley region, with comparable education, environmental, and economic development programs operating in adjacent geography to Alabama Power Foundation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ALPowerFdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alabama Power Foundation