CenterPoint Energy recognizes that our success – and the success of our neighbors – is inextricably linked to the vibrancy of our communities. We seek to improve the communities we serve by supporting programs encouraging community connections, improving the quality of life and promoting inclusion to help communities thrive.

The Foundation awards grants annually to eligible organizations in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas, where our company has a business presence. A list of counties CenterPoint Energy serves is located in Appendix A of our 2025 Guidelines and FAQs document. 

Key focus areas within the giving pillars include:

-Community Vitality

• Affordable Housing – Initiatives leading to increased access to quality, affordable, and energy-efficient housing

• Environment – Energy Efficiency and conservation efforts as well as environmental education programs

• Thriving Communities – Quality of Place and resident-led initiatives leading to vibrant neighborhoods, cities and states

-Education

• Quality Literacy Programs – Literacy and tutoring programs focused on early childhood through adult learners

• STEM Programs – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education programs targeted to under-resourced areas and/or under-represented populations; Digital device access

• Workforce Development – Programs addressing needs of our communities; credentialing programs providing skills for living wage jobs

Other Charitable Giving Programs

The Community Relations staff administers the following charitable programs, which are detailed below.

Easy Match

Easy Match (the company’s matching gifts program) furthers CenterPoint Energy’s charitable giving by matching employees’ personal donations dollar-for-dollar to non-profit organizations or causes that are important to them. Matching gifts are made to eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

Board Service Grants

The Board Service Grant program provides a grant to an eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for employee board service.

What we look for in an applicant organization:

• Financial stability

• Mission closely related to the Foundation's priorities

• Strong leadership and governance

• Reflective of the community being served (i.e. Diverse board and staff; engaging clients in development, implementation and/or evaluation of programs, etc.)

The Foundation is not accepting applications for general operating expenditures. We will not consider requests for salaries, fringe benefits, and overhead on a standalone basis. The most competitive grant applications will be capital or programmatic in nature.