Xcel Energy Foundation

/

OVERVIEW: The Xcel Energy Foundation supports STEM education, community development, sustainability, work and opportunity, and arts and culture. Grantmaking is mainly limited to the Xcel Energy Company’s service areas, spanning the states of Coloado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

IP TAKE: Grantees give the Xcel Energy foundation positive reviews and describe it as being “friendly,” “insightful,” “openminded” and “responsive.” This is an approachable and accessible funder that gives to small- and medium-sized organizations. Grantmaking is limited to its parent company’s service areas in the Western and Midwestern U.S. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals at this time, so reach out to local management for an introduction.

PROFILE: Established in 2001, the Xcel Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Xcel Energy, a company that provides energy services across eight western and Midwestern states. The company is an industry leader in renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. The Xcel Energy Foundation’s mission “is to use the collective knowledge, resources, and skills of our staff and colleagues to make a positive impact.” Its focus areas are STEM Career Pathways, Environmental Sustainability and Community Vitality. Grantmaking prioritizes communities served by the foundation’s parent energy company.  

Grants for STEM Education

The foundation’s giving for STEM Career Pathways aims to “expand STEM education opportunities and connect emerging and existing talent to STEM careers.” Giving prioritizes “diverse STEM learners,” including women, girls and other students from underrepresented groups. The foundation names four specific areas of interest:

  • Programs for K-12 students that are “project-based learning and investigative”;

  • Financial and other support services for post-secondary students pursuing STEM majors;

  • Improving the diversity and inclusiveness of STEM learning environments; and

  • Career education for skills and/or certifications in STEM fields.

Grantees working in these areas include the Community College of Aurora, Colorado; Eastern New Mexico University; Junior Achievement of South Dakota; the Rocky Mountain Butterfly Consortium; Fargo Public Schools and multiple local Boys and Girls Clubs in areas served by the foundation.

Grants for Environment, Marine and Freshwater Conservation

Xcel’s Environmental Sustainability focus area makes grants that work to “[m]inimize impacts among vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by environmental harms and risks, and protect air, water, and land.” Priorities include sustainability, conservation, education and stewardship, and initiatives for public “green space.”

Grantee partners include Colorado’s Foundation Creek Watershed, Urban Roots Minnesota, Friends of the Mississippi River and the Cable National History Museum in Wisconsin.

Grants for Community Development, Housing, Work and Opportunity

Grantmaking from Xcel’s Community Vitality focus area prioritizes “community strength and vibrancy” as well as the advancement of “economic prosperity.” This program prioritizes underserved communities, “local economies” and support for business leaders from underrepresented groups.

Support has gone to organizations including Wisconsin’s Literacy Chippewa Valley; the Minnesota Professional Engineers Foundation; the Tyler Street Resource Center in Amarillo, Texas; the Colorado Enterprise Fund and the Minneapolis-based Jeremiah Program which works to “disrupt the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children.”

Grants for Arts and Culture

A portion of grantmaking from the foundation’s Community Vitality giving area supports “diverse artists and art forms” as well as “[f]ree, reduced-price and community outreach activities.” Arts grants tend to support small and medium-sized organizations that maintain a strong presence in their communities.

Grantees include Colorado’s Alamosa Live Music Association, the Plains Art Museum, the Park Square Theater of St. Paul and the Roswell Museum and Art Center.

Important Grant Details:

Grant amounts mainly range from $1,000 to $25,000.

  • Grantmaking is limited to the areas served by this funder’s parent energy company in the states of Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

  • This funder gives to many small- and medium-sized organizations.

  • Its largest giving area is Community Vitality focus.

  • The Xcel Energy Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.

General inquiries may be submitted to Ashly Ligouri at ashly.d.ligouri@xcelenergy.com.

PEOPLE: 

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

LINKS: