OVERVIEW: The Xcel Energy Foundation supports arts and culture, economic sustainability, education and the environment in the Upper Midwest and Plains states of Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin and Michigan.
IP TAKE: This is an approachable and accessible funder. It also limits grantmaking to geographic areas where its corporate sister has a presence, so first make sure that the foundation conducts work in the geographic areas in which you fulfill yours. Small and mid-sized organizations have a pretty good shot here, but note that grants are competitive. Contact them with general questions, but note that it may take them a while to return your request for information.
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 makes focus area grants in STEM education, economic sustainability, environmental stewardship, and arts and culture.
Grants for Economic Opportunity
Xcel’s economic sustainability initiative supports programs that promote workforce development, workforce readiness, specific job skills training, job placement and job creation. It prioritizes support for programs and groups “that provide case management and supportive services to low-income populations to assist them in attaining and retaining employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency.” Previous grantees include Mesa Youth Services, Inc., Mi Casa Resource Center, Latino Economic Development Center, Cornerstone Advocacy Service, and Goodwill Industries, Inc.
Grants for STEM Education
In the science education space, the foundation supports “specifically interested in the development of students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.” Xcel invests in hands-on learning programs, as well as those focused on increasing the number of students earning post-secondary STEM degrees and pursuing careers in STEM. Past Xcel science education grantees include Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists and the Chippewa Valley Technical College Foundation.
Grants for Environment
In the conservation space, the foundation’s environmental grants program broadly supports organizations “that preserve, restore, conserve and improve wildlife habitat, open lands, wetlands, parks, train systems or recreational areas.” Xcel also invests in natural resource conservation and protection projects including those related to water conservation. Past Xcel conservation grantees include the Colorado Tree Coalitions and the Bayfield Regional Conservancy.
Grants for Arts Education, Arts and Culture
Xcel supports organizations that increase access to arts and culture. In particular, it prioritizes funding for programs that provide opportunity for low-income individuals to attend artistic and cultural activities at free or reduced admission. It also supports “programs or projects that enhance visual, music, or performing arts education in K–12 schools by offering curriculum, after-school programming, concerts, musician or performer visits, and family workshops.” Past grantees of this program include Grand Junction Symphony, High Valley Community Center, Inc., Lake Dillon Foundation for the Performing Arts, and Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra.
Important Grant Details:
Grant amounts can range from $1,000 to $25,000 with most ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. The Xcel Energy Foundation accepts unsolicited requests for funding during its annual grant cycle, but only makes grants in the states in which it has a presence. Apply and read over the application guidelines here. Grantseekers can make general inquiries by emailing the foundation at Foundation@xcelenergy.com.
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