CenterPoint Energy Foundation

CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a US private foundation based in Houston, TX.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation invests in communities served by CenterPoint Energy, focusing on education and community vitality. It targets innovative, effective and measurable programmes that enhance quality of life, with priority consideration for programmes serving low- to moderate-income families and under-represented populations. Community vitality support includes affordable housing, preserving the environment and improving access to parks, trails and green spaces. Education support includes literacy and tutoring from early childhood through adult learners, STEM education in under-resourced areas or for under-represented populations, and workforce development, including credentials for living-wage jobs. Eligible applicants are nonprofit public charities with 501(c)(3) status, in good standing, whose primary address is within the company’s footprint. Requests are reviewed competitively, with preference for close alignment with its priorities, community need, diverse funding sources, effective evaluation, and measurable, sustainable outcomes.

Themes

• Affordable housing
• Environment
• Community outdoor spaces
• Literacy
• STEM education
• Workforce development

Geographic Focus

Indiana; Minnesota; Ohio; Texas.

What They Don't Fund

• School clubs/organizations including but not limited to bands, athletic or academic teams, booster clubs, PTO/PTA
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age or religion
• Meals, tickets, dues, memberships, fees, travel, tuition, subscriptions and other tangible benefits
• Political, labor, military, international or fraternal organizations
• Childcare fees, subsidies or K-12 tuition
• Programs administered by religious organizations for religious purposes
• Sponsorships, fundraisers, races, telethons, marathons, benefits, banquets, galas, golf tournaments, festivals or other events
• Debt retirement or funding of any activity that has already been completed
• Individuals
• Contests, competitions, athletics, pageants or talent contests
• Scholarly or medical research
• A 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organization
• Endowments or scholarships
• Previous grantees who have not submitted required reporting

Organisations submit grant applications through the Foundation’s online grants application system.

Deadlines: Each grant cycle has its own application deadline.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 73% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 1,547 grants to organisations were $15,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• The applicant should demonstrate financial stability.
• Its mission should closely relate to the Foundation’s priorities.
• The organization should demonstrate strong leadership and governance.
• The organization should reflect the community it serves, including through a diverse board and staff and client engagement in programme development, implementation or evaluation.
• Proposals should fit closely with the Foundation’s funding priorities.
• Proposals should address community needs related to its funding priorities.
• The proposal should include financial commitments from a variety of sources.
• The proposal should use an effective evaluation plan specific to the proposed funding opportunity and initiative.
• The proposal should demonstrate measurable, sustainable goals and outcomes.