Alabama Power Foundation – Scholar Grants (2027)

Grants of Up to $5,000 for Grades 2–8 Math and English Language Arts Education in Alabama

The Alabama Power Foundation’s Scholar Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to educator teams working to improve student achievement in mathematics and English language arts (ELA). The program supports professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology that help students achieve grade-level proficiency and beyond.

Scholar Grants are designed for teachers serving grades 2–8 who collaborate to strengthen instruction and improve measurable student outcomes. Priority is given to Title I schools, schools serving students from low-income households, and schools within Alabama Power’s service territory.

The first 2027 application cycle opens February 22 and closes March 12, 2027.

Organization: Alabama Power Foundation
Support Type: Corporate foundation education grants
Geographic Focus: Alabama, with priority for Alabama Power service territory
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000
Application Deadline: March 12, 2027

About the Funder

The Alabama Power Foundation is the charitable foundation associated with Alabama Power, an electric utility serving communities throughout Alabama.

The Foundation invests in education and community development initiatives that strengthen opportunities for Alabama residents.

Its Scholar Grant Program recognizes the importance of supporting educators with professional learning opportunities, instructional materials, and classroom technology that improve academic achievement.

The program emphasizes collaborative teaching practices and measurable improvements in mathematics and English language arts.

What This Program Supports

Scholar Grants fund projects that combine teacher professional development with instructional resources and technology to improve student learning.

Teacher Professional Development

Professional development is a required component of every Scholar Grant proposal.

All participating teachers must select professional learning opportunities focused on improving student achievement in mathematics and/or English language arts.

Examples may include:

• Mathematics instruction workshops
• Literacy and reading instruction training
• Professional learning communities
• Instructional coaching
• Curriculum development training
• Evidence-based teaching strategies
• Collaborative professional development

Professional development may be free or paid, but it must be included in every proposal.

If selected professional development is available at no cost, grant funds may be directed toward other eligible instructional resources and classroom technology.

Mathematics Education

Projects that strengthen mathematics instruction and improve student achievement.

Potential activities include:

• Mathematics instructional materials
• Hands-on learning resources
• Mathematics intervention programs
• Supplemental instructional tools
• Technology supporting mathematics proficiency

English Language Arts & Literacy

Projects that improve reading, writing, comprehension, and other English language arts skills.

Potential activities include:

• Literacy instruction materials
• Reading intervention resources
• Classroom reading collections
• Writing instruction tools
• Language development resources
• Technology supporting reading proficiency

Classroom Technology

Grants may support technology that strengthens mathematics and English language arts instruction.

Potential purchases include:

• Educational software
• Digital learning tools
• Classroom technology
• Interactive instructional resources
• Technology supporting differentiated instruction

Technology requests should demonstrate a clear connection to student engagement and measurable academic outcomes.

Collaborative Teaching & Student Achievement

The program encourages teachers to work together to improve instructional practices.

Projects should demonstrate how professional development, instructional resources, and technology will collectively improve student learning.

Applicants must explain how they will measure progress toward improved student achievement.

Eligible Support Types

Scholar Grants support three connected components.

1. Teacher-Selected Professional Development

Every proposal must include professional development selected by participating teachers and focused on mathematics and/or English language arts.

2. Instructional Resources & Classroom Technology

Funding may support educational materials and technology that improve student engagement, scaffold instruction, and strengthen academic performance.

3. Measuring Student Achievement

Applicants must explain how the proposed activities will improve student outcomes and how success will be evaluated.

Professional development is mandatory, even when it does not require grant funding.

Eligibility & Preferences

Eligible applicants include:

• Educators serving students in grades 2–8
• Grade-level teacher teams
• Subject-area teacher teams focused on mathematics and/or English language arts
• Nonprofit organizations partnering with eligible school systems, subject to the school’s application requirements

Teacher Collaboration Requirements

Teachers must apply as a collaborative team rather than individually.

Teams should demonstrate a commitment to:

• Professional growth
• Peer support
• Collaborative instructional planning
• Improving mathematics and/or English language arts instruction
• Measuring student achievement

Middle school teams may include teachers from multiple grade levels when necessary to support effective collaboration.

Nonprofit Partnerships

Nonprofit organizations partnering with eligible school systems may participate.

However:

• Applications must be submitted in the school’s name.
• Grant funds are distributed directly to the school.
• The proposed project must meet all Scholar Grant requirements.

Priority Consideration

Priority is given to:

• Title I schools
• Schools where at least 50% of full-time students receive free or reduced-price meals
• Schools serving students within Alabama Power’s service territory

Geographic Eligibility

Eligible State: Alabama

The program supports eligible educator teams and school partnerships in Alabama.

Schools located within Alabama Power’s electric service territory receive priority consideration.

Applicants outside the utility’s service territory should confirm eligibility before applying.

Ineligible Requests

The Scholar Grant Program is specifically designed to improve mathematics and/or English language arts achievement for students in grades 2–8.

Requests that do not meet the program’s core requirements are not appropriate, including:

• Projects unrelated to mathematics or English language arts
• Proposals that do not include teacher-selected professional development
• Applications from individual teachers rather than collaborative teams
• Projects without a plan to measure student achievement
• Requests that do not directly benefit eligible grade levels

The Foundation does not publish a comprehensive list of other excluded expenses on the Scholar Grant webpage.

Applicants should review the current application materials before finalizing purchases or project budgets.

Funding Amounts

Maximum Grant: $5,000

Scholar Grants provide up to $5,000 per award.

Funding may support:

• Teacher professional development
• Instructional resources
• Classroom technology
• Other eligible expenses directly connected to improving mathematics and/or English language arts achievement

The Foundation does not specify a minimum award amount or a matching funds requirement.

Applicants should develop a budget that clearly connects proposed expenditures to student learning outcomes.

Timeline & Review

📅 First Application Cycle Opens: February 22, 2027

📅 First Application Deadline: March 12, 2027

📅 Second Application Cycle Opens: August 2, 2027

📅 Second Application Deadline: September 3, 2027

The Alabama Power Foundation offers two Scholar Grant application cycles annually.

Applications are reviewed for alignment with program requirements, including educator collaboration, professional development, instructional resources, and measurable student achievement.

Applicants are encouraged to submit before the deadline to allow time to address potential technical or documentation issues.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the Alabama Power Foundation’s online grant application system.

Applicants should prepare the following information.

1. School & Teacher Team Information

Identify the participating school, grade levels, subject areas, and teachers involved in the project.

Describe how the team will collaborate to strengthen instruction.

2. Professional Development Plan

Explain the professional development selected by participating teachers.

Include:

• Training topic
• Professional development provider
• Anticipated costs, if applicable
• Connection to mathematics and/or English language arts instruction
• Expected improvements in teaching practices

3. Instructional Resources & Technology

Describe the instructional materials and classroom technology requested.

Explain how the resources will:

• Improve student engagement
• Support differentiated instruction
• Strengthen academic skills
• Improve student achievement

4. Student Achievement Goals

Identify the academic challenges the project will address.

Describe the expected improvements in student performance and how progress will be measured.

5. Project Budget

Provide a detailed budget identifying how grant funds will be used.

The requested amount must not exceed $5,000.

6. Submit the Application

Complete the online application during the appropriate funding cycle.

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://www.powerofgood.com/grants/scholar

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly well suited for:

• Alabama elementary and middle school teacher teams
• Title I schools seeking additional instructional resources
• Schools serving significant populations of low-income students
• Educators working to improve mathematics proficiency
• Teachers implementing literacy and reading intervention strategies
• Schools seeking classroom technology for math and ELA instruction
• Teacher teams pursuing collaborative professional development
• Nonprofits partnering with schools to improve academic outcomes

The Alabama Power Foundation’s Scholar Grant Program provides targeted funding to help educators strengthen instruction and improve student achievement.

By combining professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology, the program supports both immediate classroom needs and longer-term improvements in teaching effectiveness.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Competitive application review
First 2027 Deadline: March 12, 2027
Second 2027 Deadline: September 3, 2027
Maximum Award: $5,000
Matching Funds: No requirement specified
Geographic Restriction: Alabama, with priority for Alabama Power service territory
Eligible Applicants: Educator teams serving grades 2–8; nonprofit partners may participate through eligible schools
Priority Schools: Title I schools and schools where at least 50% of students receive free or reduced-price meals
Required Component: Teacher-selected professional development focused on mathematics and/or English language arts
Best Suited For: Elementary and middle school educator teams seeking professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology
Application Strategy: Develop a collaborative proposal that connects teacher training, instructional resources, and technology to measurable improvements in student achievement.