Champion Grants

The Champion Grant, administered by the Alabama Power Foundation, is a funding opportunity designed to support public high school teachers in grades nine through eleven in Alabama. The foundation, a philanthropic arm of Alabama Power, seeks to strengthen educational outcomes and equip students for future academic and professional success. Through this grant, the foundation underscores its commitment to STEM education by enhancing instructional capabilities in math and science. This initiative reflects the foundation’s broader mission to improve communities across Alabama, particularly those within its utility service areas, through targeted investments in education and capacity building. Champion Grants are tailored to provide up to $5,000 per application cycle to teams of teachers who collaboratively work to enhance college and career readiness among students. Emphasis is placed on professional development (PD) that elevates student achievement in math and/or science. Teachers have autonomy in selecting PD programs, which must be incorporated into their proposals. These may include workshops, classes, conferences, instructional coaching, peer review sessions, or professional learning teams. If PD programs are offered at no cost, funds may be redirected to instructional resources or classroom technology—both of which must be justified in terms of how they enhance student engagement, scaffold instruction, or improve academic outcomes. Grant usage is flexible within the context of supporting student learning in math and science. Approved expenditures include manipulatives, measurement tools, assessment platforms (such as clicker apps and whiteboards), ACT prep materials, and standards-aligned STEM kits. Additionally, applicants may request technology such as laptops, tablets, projectors, SMART Boards, and software that supports interactive or differentiated instruction. All proposals must articulate how selected tools and PD activities will collectively impact student achievement and describe the metrics used to assess this impact. Applicants must be public school teachers collaborating in subject or grade-level teams, with preference given to those from Title I schools and institutions where 50% or more of students receive free or reduced lunch. Schools located within Alabama Power’s service area are prioritized. Proposals must focus on a single student grade level and show evidence of teacher collaboration and professional growth. Applications from non-school organizations, private schools, or proposals not aligned with math or science education are ineligible. The Champion Grant operates on a biannual cycle. For 2026, two submission windows are scheduled: Cycle 1 opens on February 23 and closes on March 13, while Cycle 2 opens on August 3 and closes on September 4. Applications must be submitted during these windows; late applications may not be eligible for revision or reconsideration. Required submission components include school and principal information, team background, PD details (topic, provider, cost, and schedule), a clear project narrative, budget, and evaluation methods. All funds are disbursed to the recipient schools—not individuals or nonprofit organizations. Schools must possess IRS-recognized tax-exempt status and must not discriminate based on race, gender, creed, or nationality. Each submission is reviewed for compliance with grant guidelines, and schools may be contacted for revisions if issues are identified prior to the deadline. Awards are contingent on alignment with grant goals and demonstrated financial need.

Priority is given to Title I schools and those with 50%+ of students on free/reduced lunch; clear articulation of student achievement goals and how they will be measured is essential.