American Electric Power Foundation

WILMINGTON, DE EIN: 20-3886453

The American Electric Power Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2005 as the corporate foundation of American Electric Power, one of the nation's largest electric utilities. Based in Columbus, Ohio, with a registered address in Wilmington, Delaware, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and serves as a major philanthropic force across the American Electric Power service territory.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$65.2M

-12.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$22.6M

-15.6% YoY

Grant Count

752

-5.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$30K

-11.0% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission is to enhance lives through strategic grantmaking and community engagement. Primary funding areas include:

  • Education: Emphasis on STEM education from early childhood through higher education
  • Basic Human Services: Programs addressing hunger, housing, health, and safety
  • Environmental Protection: Conservation and environmental sustainability initiatives
  • Social and Racial Justice: Programs promoting diversity and inclusion
  • Arts and Culture: Support for arts, music, and cultural heritage to enrich community quality of life

Grantmaking

The foundation does not provide grants to:

Grant Range

$1,000 - $1,000,000

How to Apply

**

Ready to take the next step with American Electric Power Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation operates across an 11-state American Electric Power service territory:

  • Arkansas
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Distribution patterns: Approximately 70% of grants remain in Ohio, with significant funding also directed to Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

Grant Distribution by State

25states
+17 more states

Cities

AbileneAbingdonAguilaresAkronAlbanyAlbuquerqueAlexandriaAliceAlpineAngolaAransas PassArlingtonAshlandAthensAtlantaAuburnAustinAvillaBallingerBaltimore

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets and Revenue (2023):

  • Total assets: $74.3 million
  • Total revenues: $5.86 million
  • Total expenses: $27 million
  • Total liabilities: $0

Historical giving distribution:

  • 37% to Education
  • 19% to Social & Human Services
  • 15% to Community Development
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$22M$44M$66M$88M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$65,226,977$74,342,346$95,988,119
Revenue$13,479,995$5,857,994$79,861,978
Expenses$22,792,145$27,017,873$29,839,850
Qualifying Distributions$22,743,750$26,903,499$32,274,370
Net Investment Income$13,475,550$5,791,216$4,858,156
Distributable Amount$3,913,728$4,929,019$2,286,828

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$9M$18M$27M$36M71 grants20201 grants2021703 grants2022793 grants2023752 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FO…$200KAPPALACHIA SERVICE PROJE…$200KAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY …$100KAMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATI…$80KAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CR…$60KAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CR…$50KBALL STATE UNIVERSITY FO…$50KALVIS INC$40KAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CR…$25KAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CR…$25K

Grant Size Distribution

201 grants across all recorded years

119<$50K18$50–100K35$100–250K17$250–500K4$500K–1M6$1–5M2$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from American Electric Power Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Nick Akins – Chair, Director
  • Christian T Beam – Director, Vice President, Secretary
  • Janelle N Coleman – Director, President
  • Ann P Kelly – Director, Treasurer
  • Peggy I Simmons – Director, Vice President
  • Julie Sloat – Secretary, Treasurer, Director, Chair
  • Charles E Zebula – Treasurer, Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Christian T BeamDir, VP, Sec1
Janelle N ColemanDir, Pres, Chair1
Benjamin FowkeDir, Chair1
Peggy I SimmonsDir, VP, Vice Chair1
Julie SloatDir, Chair1
Charles E ZebulaTreas, Dir1
Kate SturgessDir1

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

Recent grant announcements demonstrate ongoing commitment to STEM education and workforce development:

AEP Ohio announced a $200,000 grant from the AEP Foundation

AEP Ohio Announces $200,000 Grant from the AEP Foundation to ...

AEP Ohio Foundation provided support for STEM outreach in Southeast Ohio through Ohio University's STEMstart program

AEP Ohio Foundation grant supports STEM outreach in Southeast Ohio

AEP Foundation granted $36,000 to technical colleges and provided lineworker program scholarships in Kentucky

AEP Foundation grants $36K to technical colleges, provides lineworker program
2024

PSO (Public Service Company of Oklahoma) announced 2024 AEP Foundation STEM After-School grants

AEP Foundation grants $36K to technical colleges, provides lineworker program

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with American Electric Power Foundation on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities