Private foundation · Wilmington, DE (gives in Tennessee from out of state)
American Electric Power Foundation
In 2025 it gave 5 grants worth $264,500 to Tennessee groups, 2 of them in Sullivan County. A typical grant was $15,000 to $25,000.
Invitation only: it picks who to fund. Don't send a proposal. Look for a connection through its board. See its board and officers below: do you or your board know any of them?
Key facts
- Grants in Tennessee
- 5 totaling $264,500 · 2 in Sullivan County
- Typical grant How we figure this
- $15,000 to $25,000 (the middle half of its Tennessee grants)
- A realistic first ask How we figure this
- About $20,000, its middle Tennessee grant. First-time winners usually get less than repeat ones.
- Where it gives
- Washington County, Sullivan County, Carter County · plus 748 grants outside Tennessee
- Buildings & equipment
- None of its Tennessee grants in this filing were for buildings or equipment
- Funds new groups? How we figure this
- Rarely: every Tennessee group it funded in 2025 had also been funded in 2023–2024. Build a relationship before asking.
- Total giving that year
- $23 million
Giving by year
| Tax year | Total grants paid | To Tennessee | Tennessee grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23M | $264K | 5 |
| 2024 | $22.6M | $288K | 6 |
| 2023 | $26.7M | $255K | 3 |
All grants paid To Tennessee
How to apply
The foundation's filing doesn't describe how to apply. Look for a website, or send a short letter asking whether it accepts requests.
Board and officers
Does your board know anyone here?
Checked in your browser only. The names are kept on this device for other foundation pages and are never sent to GrantMe.
- Kamran AliDir, sec
- Steve BakerVp
- Christian T BeamDir, vp, sec
- Janelle N ColemanDir, pres, chair
- Kelly FerneauVp
- Stacey D GabbardDir
- Greg Brian HallVp
- Brett MattisonVp
- Marc ReitterVp
- Leigh Anne StrahlerVp
- Kate DixonDir, treas
- Judith TalaveraVp
- Aaron WalkerVp
- Cynthia WisemanVp
- Charles E ZebulaTreas, dir
As listed in its 2025 IRS filing. Many foundations decide through their board, so a personal connection often matters more than a perfect application.
What it funds most often
- East Kentucky Disaster Recovery fund (1 grant)
- ASP - Warmer, Safer, Drier fund (1 grant)
- Isaiah 117 House Washington County New Build fund (1 grant)
- Foundation support - Santa Train & Fun Fest (1 grant)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee Hunger relief fund (1 grant)
How big its Tennessee grants are
| Grant size | Grants |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | 0 |
| $1,000 to $4,999 | 1 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $24,999 | 2 |
| $25,000 to $99,999 | 1 |
| $100,000 or more | 1 |
From its 2025 IRS filing. Small groups: look at how many grants sit in the bands you'd ask for.
Tennessee organizations it funded
Sullivan County grants are listed first, then the largest. Past winners are good people to ask what the foundation looks for. Select a group to see who else funds it.
| Past winner | Where | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport Chamber Foundation | Kingsport, Sullivan County | Foundation support - Santa Train & Fun Fest | $20K |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee in | Kingsport, Sullivan County | Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee Hunger relief fund | $4,500 |
| Appalachia Service Project Inc. | Johnson City, Washington County | ASP - Warmer, Safer, Drier fund | $200K |
| Appalachia Service Project Inc. | Johnson City, Washington County | East Kentucky Disaster Recovery fund | $25K |
| Isaiah 117 House | Elizabethton, Carter County | Isaiah 117 House Washington County New Build fund | $15K |