Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/292122
Who we are: ALABAMA POWER CHARITABLE GIVING PROGRAMS The Alabama Power Foundation was created in 1989 with an investment by shareholders. It awards more than 1,300 grants every year. Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $140 million in non-ratepayer dollars through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships. In addition to its regular grants, the foundation has in-house grant programs that include: Good Roots, which provides $1,000 per grant to buy trees to plant in communities and at nonprofit organizations across the state; and Gateway, which supplies up to $2,000 per grant to buy materials for signs that greet visitors to cities, towns and communities. The Alabama Business Charitable (ABC) Trust Fund was established in 1992 by Alabama Power Company shareholders. It is a 501(c)(4) organization that provides energy assistance funding to community action agencies and other social service agencies that use the funds to help clients who need help paying their energy bills. The trust covers 60 of Alabama's 67 counties and has provided $38 million in energy assistance, weatheriza- tion and special grants for disaster relief and other support for organizations that aid low- income Alabamians. The Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) is a nonprofit organization that through volunteerism works to improve communities across Alabama Power's service territory. APSO includes more than 5,000 Alabama Power, Southern Nuclear, SouthernLinc and Southern Company Services employees and their families who volunteer in the communi- ties in which they live. APSO members from 10 chapters across the state typically contribute more than 50,000 volunteer hours each year. COVER: Lady Liberty by Bill Snow. GRANT SPOTLIGHT Good Roots The Good Roots grant program is an Alabama Power Foundation initiative in partnership with the Alabama Urban Forestry Association and the Alabama Forestry Commission. Grants of up to $1,000 can be used to buy trees for plant- ing in communities and at nonprofit organizations across the state. Good Roots is designed to keep our communi- ties beautiful and vibrant; trees must be planted in public areas. When to apply: Feb. 3 through April 4 How to apply: Go to PowerofGood.com and under "Funding Success" click on "Good Roots Grants." Gateway The Gateway program, an initiative of the Alabama Power Foundation, will supply up to $2,000 per grant to buy materials for signage upon entry into your community. Well-designed community signs can con- tribute to the economic and cultural well-being of our cities and towns. Applicants may also apply to have a sign refurbished. When to apply: April 21 through June 20 How to apply: Go to PowerofGood.com and under "Funding Success" click on "Gateway Program." Students to Stewards The Alabama Power Foundation is marking the 15th year of Renew Our Rivers with the launch of the "Students to Stewards" program. Designed to teach youths about the importance of the state's unique ecosystems, the program encour- ages them to become better stewards of the environment. Fifteen teacher grants and several larger classroom grants will be awarded to educators focused on teaching future generations about main- taining and improving Alabama's abundant resources. Application deadline and submission information will be posted in coming weeks; visit PowerofGood.com for more information. good Power of 2014 Alabama Power Foundation Board Meetings June 10 (Grant application deadline: May 9) Sept. 16 (Grant application deadline: Aug. 22) Dec. 1 (Grant application deadline: Oct. 31) Power of Good staff Bob Blalock Allison Westlake Katie Kilcoyne Staff contributors Donna Cope Brandon Glover Guest writer Carolanne Roberts Photographers Dan Anderson Nik Layman Bill Snow Joe DeSciose