To be eligible to receive a grant from the American Electric Power Foundation, an organization must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) public charity, a state or political subdivision, a government-owned or operated college or university, or an exempt operating foundation; and
• Be located within the AEP service territory or be national or regional in scope and have a purpose that is beneficial to the general public, the broad environment or the customers of American Electric Power.

• Individuals. The Foundation does not provide grants directly to any individuals for travel, study, healthcare or any other purpose.
• Religious organizations, although the Foundation may consider grants requested by such an organization if it is an eligible organization and the grant would support non-sectarian social service activities that are available to the broad community.
• Fraternal and veterans organizations
• Programs that are solely athletic in nature and not connected to broader community or developmental goals.
• Certain supporting organizations.