CenterPoint Energy Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $20+ million (2024)
Total Assets: $74+ million
Grant Range: $40,000 - $100,000 (typical awards)
Geographic Focus: Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas (CenterPoint Energy service areas)
Application Method: Two fixed annual cycles with online application
Decision Time: Minimum 90 days from submission

Contact Details

Email: CNPGives@CenterPointEnergy.com
Website: www.centerpointenergy.com/foundation
Application Portal: Available through CenterPoint Energy website
Physical Address: 1111 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002-5230

Overview

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Inc was established in 2000 and is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by CenterPoint Energy shareholders (with no impact on customer rates). With assets totaling over $74 million, the Foundation awarded more than $20 million in grants in 2024 to 577 nonprofit organizations. The Foundation's mission is to be "a catalyst in communities by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to achieve extraordinary outcomes," investing in initiatives that improve stakeholders' lives today while building a strong foundation for tomorrow. The Foundation operates on a competitive evaluation model, prioritizing programs with strong impact and measurable outcomes within two strategic funding areas: Community Vitality and Education. According to Foundation President Amanda Schmitt, "The CenterPoint Energy Foundation continues to invest in initiatives that not only improve our stakeholders' lives today, but also build a strong foundation for tomorrow."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates two grant cycles annually, each focused on specific priority areas:

Cycle 1 (January 12 – February 13):

Focus: Education proposals
Programs: Literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and workforce development
Application Method: Online portal, fixed deadline at 11:59 p.m. CST
Decision Timeline: End of April

Cycle 2 (June 15 – July 17):

Focus: Community Vitality proposals
Programs: Environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, and affordable housing
Application Method: Online portal, fixed deadline at 11:59 p.m. CST
Decision Timeline: End of September

Note: The Foundation explicitly states that "funds are available in each cycle," encouraging organizations to apply during their preferred timeframe.

Priority Areas

Community Vitality:

Affordable housing and homeownership support programs
Initiatives improving community outdoor spaces and quality of place
Environmental stewardship projects
Sustainable community development
Home repair and modification for underserved populations (seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, low-income individuals)

Education:

Improving literacy rates across all age groups
Expanding access to STEM programs
Workforce development and job training
Adult education and high school completion programs
Mobile and accessible educational opportunities

Target Populations: Priority consideration given to programs that:

Serve low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities
Provide increased access to nonprofit programs and services
Demonstrate strong community impact and measurable outcomes

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not fund:

General operating expenditures
Salaries, fringe benefits, and overhead on a standalone basis (most competitive applications are capital or programmatic in nature)
Tuition assistance programs
Energy assistance (Foundation finances are separate from company operations)
Organizations outside Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas service areas
Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Officers:

Amanda Schmitt, MPA - Foundation President: Oversees the Foundation from both strategic and financial perspectives, is active in grant management, and seeks innovative ways for the Foundation to participate in communities
Mark DeBoer - Treasurer
Brett A. Jerasa - Assistant Treasurer

All officers serve on a voluntary basis and receive no compensation for their Foundation roles.

Leadership Philosophy:

Amanda Schmitt has emphasized the Foundation's commitment to community investment, stating: "The CenterPoint Energy Foundation supports projects contributing to thriving, flourishing communities and the Love Community Center does exactly that and we are proud to be part of the ongoing sustainability of the project." This quote reflects the Foundation's focus on long-term community sustainability and partnership with organizations making lasting impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the CenterPoint Energy Foundation grants portal. The Foundation operates on a fixed cycle schedule with two application periods annually.

Application Requirements:

Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Primary business address must be in CenterPoint Energy's service area (Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, or Texas - complete county list available in Foundation Guidelines)
Programs must align with Foundation priorities (Community Vitality or Education)
Applications must be submitted by the cycle deadline to be considered

Application Portal: Access at www.centerpointenergy.com/foundation

Decision Timeline

Timeline by Cycle:

Cycle 1: Applications due February 13 → Board review → Decisions communicated end of April
Cycle 2: Applications due July 17 → Board review → Decisions communicated end of September

Standard Processing Time: Minimum 90 days from submission to final decision

Notification Method: Applicants are notified of decisions (specific method not publicly disclosed; contact CNPGives@CenterPointEnergy.com for details)

Board Process: The Foundation board meets after the end of each cycle to review applications and make grant decisions.

Success Rates

In 2024, the Foundation awarded 577 grants totaling more than $24 million. While specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation evaluates all proposals "on a competitive basis" and notes they receive "substantial application volume."

2024 Statistics:

577 grants awarded
$24,344,310 total awarded
Average grant size: approximately $42,000
CenterPoint employees contributed 55,000+ volunteer hours alongside financial support

Recent Cycle Examples:

First grant cycle of 2025: 199 grants awarded totaling $8.6+ million across four states
Minnesota 2025 cycle: 35 grants totaling $825,000+
Indiana 2025 cycle: 55 grants totaling $2.6 million

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Organizations with questions about reapplication should contact CNPGives@CenterPointEnergy.com.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate the following characteristics:

1. Strong Alignment with Funding Priorities:

The Foundation emphasizes that it "strives to fund programs with strong impact and measurable outcomes within our funding priorities." Applications must clearly align with either Community Vitality or Education focus areas for the specific grant cycle.

2. Capital or Programmatic Focus:

The Foundation explicitly states: "The most competitive grant applications will be capital or programmatic in nature." Recent successful grants include:

Capital Projects: $75,000 for The NeighborCare Program (home modification installations), $100,000 for JobSource's Heartland Scholar House expansion
Programmatic Support: $50,000 for Boys & Girls Club STEM Program, $100,000 for The Works Museum mobile STEAM lab

3. Measurable Outcomes and Impact:

Applications are "evaluated on a competitive basis as we strive to fund programs with strong impact and measurable outcomes." The Foundation prioritizes:

Innovative approaches to community challenges
Effective program models with demonstrated results
Clear metrics for success evaluation

4. Service to Underserved Populations:

Priority consideration goes to programs that "serve low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities and provide increased access to nonprofit programs and services." Recent successful grants served:

Seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and low-income homeowners (Neighborhood Strong, $40,000)
Adult learners seeking high school completion (Evansville Goodwill Excel Center, $85,000)
Elementary students across Minnesota (The Works Museum mobile STEAM lab, $100,000)

5. Community Sustainability Focus:

The Foundation values "projects contributing to thriving, flourishing communities" with emphasis on "ongoing sustainability." Applications should demonstrate long-term community benefit beyond the grant period.

6. Independence from Business Relationships:

The Foundation explicitly notes: "The Foundation may not consider business relationships when making grant-award decisions in order to avoid self-dealing practices." Applications are evaluated purely on merit and alignment with Foundation priorities, not on organizational connections to CenterPoint Energy.

7. Geographic Alignment:

Organizations must operate within CenterPoint Energy's service territory in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, or Texas. The Foundation provides a complete county list in their Guidelines document.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Choose the Right Cycle: Apply during Cycle 1 (January-February) for Education projects or Cycle 2 (June-July) for Community Vitality projects—align your proposal with the cycle's focus area for best results.
Emphasize Capital/Programmatic Needs: The Foundation explicitly prefers capital projects and programmatic support over general operating expenses. Frame your request around specific projects, equipment, expansion, or program delivery rather than salaries and overhead.
Demonstrate Measurable Outcomes: Applications are evaluated on "strong impact and measurable outcomes." Include clear metrics, evaluation plans, and evidence of program effectiveness to stand out in the competitive review process.
Target Underserved Populations: Priority goes to programs serving low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities. Clearly articulate how your program increases access for these populations.
Plan for 90+ Day Timeline: With minimum 90-day review periods, plan your project timeline and cash flow accordingly. Decisions come in late April (Cycle 1) or late September (Cycle 2).
Don't Rely on Business Connections: The Foundation cannot consider business relationships with CenterPoint Energy when making grant decisions. Your application will be evaluated solely on its merits and alignment with Foundation priorities.
Grant Amounts Typically Range $40,000-$100,000: Recent awards show most grants fall within this range, though amounts vary based on project scope and impact. Budget your request accordingly and ensure it's proportionate to your organization's capacity and the project's measurable outcomes.

References

CenterPoint Energy Foundation - Official Website - Accessed December 24, 2024
Corporate Giving - Application Process - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation Inc - Candid Foundation Directory - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation Inc - GuideStar Profile - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation Inc - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards grants to various organizations - Voice of Alexandria - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation accepting applications for first grant cycle of 2025 - The Record Newspapers - Accessed December 24, 2024
Amanda Schmitt, MPA - Foundation President LinkedIn Profile - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards grants to nearly 200 nonprofit organizations - The Gilmer Mirror - Accessed December 24, 2024
CenterPoint Energy Foundation Invests $50,000 in Love Community Center - Rush County Community Foundation - Accessed December 24, 2024