“With a history spanning more than 110 years, we recognize and take great pride in the essential role we play in everyday life. We are more than just your local utility, at AES Ohio our volunteers, community sponsorships and the AES Ohio Foundation all contribute to the quality of life in West Central Ohio.”
Tom Raga, President
Powering iconic moments in 2024
AES Ohio is dedicated to improving lives and making a difference by empowering communities, amplifying impact and driving sustainable growth where we live, work and play.
AES Ohio does not pass on the cost of its community investments or advertising to customers.
2024 by the numbers:
Total investment dollars: $2 million
Percentage of total investments
Message from the AES Ohio Foundation Board of Trustees
This year, the AES Ohio Foundation celebrates its 39th year of supporting the communities in West Central Ohio with an impressive $47 million in grants since 1985. As the largest corporate foundation in our region, every dollar remains local and in 2024, the Foundation invested $1.4 million in 53 non-profit organizations in West Central Ohio. The Foundation is focused on the following priorities:
- Education & Employment Readiness
- Health & Human Services
- The Arts
Urgent Community Needs is a new priority, identified in 2024, that specifically addresses the challenges affecting our community including eviction and the lack of affordable workforce housing. Our decisions are guided by these strategic priorities and a systematic evaluation of initiatives with the goal of continuing to make a significant impact in our communities where we live, work, and thrive. The cost of these investments is not passed on to our customers.
One example of the Foundation’s impact locally is the Hope Center for Families, which exemplifies the AES Ohio Foundation’s commitment and our Board’s goals of empowering individuals and families in the Miami Valley. Utilizing a two-generational poverty reduction model, the center offers life-skills instruction, employment training and character development to help families achieve self-sufficiency. In 2017, the AES Ohio Foundation invested over $400,000 to establish a poverty reduction center in Northwest Dayton, collaborating with community organizations to address the unique needs of that region. Our investment in The Hope Center has had a transformative impact in our community.
We continue our commitment to enhancing the quality of our customers’ lives, and the AES Ohio Foundation continues to seek new, innovative opportunities to provide support to the communities we serve. Collectively, our investments are transforming the landscape of West Central Ohio by removing barriers, improving health, and fostering a more diverse and inclusive community.
For more information on the work of the AES Ohio Foundation and funding priorities, please visit the AES Ohio Foundation.
AES Ohio Foundation Board of Trustees
Empowering communities
AES Ohio is focused on building long-term and strategic partnerships that fuel economic resilience and empower the communities where we live, work, and play.
Economic growth for AES Ohio
AES Ohio is enhancing the region's infrastructure, paving the way for economic development, advanced manufacturing and community growth. Learn more.
Unique partnership to reduce a local university’s carbon footprint
AES Ohio is enhancing the region's infrastructure, paving the way for economic development, advanced manufacturing and community growth. Learn more.
AES Ohio Foundation has been serving Daybreak since 2009
Daybreak began as an emergency shelter for homeless and vulnerable youth. The organization now operates the Miami Valley’s 24-hour crisis hotline and emergency youth shelter. Learn more.
AES Ohio Foundation awards grant to Clothes That Work
The AES Ohio Foundation grant supports the Workforce Education Initiative to equip job seekers with the knowledge and skills that lead to personal growth and employment success. Learn more.
Amplifying impact
In addition to our financial investments, AES Ohio also commits our time, talents, and resources to help our customers and communities thrive.
The Foodbank Drive-Through Pantry
The Foodbank – the only one of its kind in the area – relieves hunger in the community through a network of partner agencies by acquiring and distributing food. Learn more.
21st Annual Rubber Duck Regatta
United Rehabilitation Services held its 21st annual Rubber Duck Regatta with AES Ohio as the new presenting sponsor. Learn more.
AES Ohio Gift of Power
The AES Ohio Gift of Power program completed its ninth year providing emergency assistance to customers struggling to pay their winter heating bills. Learn more.
AES Ohio Day in the Parks
AES Ohio celebrated its 4th annual Day in the Parks, helping plant trees at Wegerzyn MetroPark replacing those damaged by the 2019 Memorial Day Tornadoes. Learn more.
AES Ohio Volunteers at Shoes 4 the Shoeless
More than 40 AES Ohio volunteers distributed shoes to 200 children at Imagine School in Dayton and collected 350 pairs of socks. Learn more.
Sustainable growth
Our community investments focus on long-term benefits. We want to help create a vibrant, artistic, and culturally rich community.
Dayton Art Institute and AES Ohio Foundation Partnership
The AES Ohio Foundation and Dayton Art Institute have partnered for 39 years, helping to fulfill its mission to enrich lives and serve the community by creating meaningful experiences with art available to all. Learn more.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
Since 2014, the AES Ohio Foundation has supported artistic operations of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. AES Ohio sponsored "The Arts Are For Everyone" $5 Ticket Program. Learn more.
Supporting Art Education for the Muse Machine
The AES Ohio Foundation awarded a grant to support the Summer Institute for Educators, secondary school programs, student performances and preschool and elementary programs. Learn more.