Florida · Private / Regional Grant

Tampa Electric (TECO): STEM Education

Tampa Electric (TECO) and its parent Emera fund STEM education programs in the Tampa Bay area, supporting hands-on science, technology, and energy literacy for K-12 students in their service communities.

Funding

$1,000–$15,000

Eligibility

Schools and nonprofits in TECO service territory (Tampa Bay area)

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / Energy Literacy

Deadline

Rolling

Type

Private / Regional Grant

About This Grant

Tampa Electric has been part of the Tampa Bay community for over a century, and its charitable giving program reflects deep roots in the region. TECO education grants fund STEM programs at Tampa Bay-area schools, with a particular interest in energy literacy, environmental stewardship, and workforce preparation in technology and engineering fields.

TECO grants are especially accessible for Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas county schools. The utility has supported robotics teams, science fairs, after-school STEM clubs, and classroom technology purchases at schools throughout the Tampa Bay metro area. Relationship-based giving is a hallmark of TECO's approach — local program officers engage with schools before and after grants are made.

Tampa Bay is a growing tech hub, and TECO's STEM investments reflect the region's ambitions for a stronger technology workforce. Programs that connect classroom CS learning to Tampa Bay career opportunities — in energy, IT, engineering, or data science — align well with TECO's community development goals.

View Tampa Electric (TECO): STEM Education →

Eligibility

K-12 schools in TECO's Tampa Bay area service territory
Nonprofits serving students in Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, or Pinellas counties
Programs with a clear STEM education focus and measurable student outcomes
Preference for programs serving Title I or underserved student populations

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Energy education activities, STEM career exploration, and lab supplies

Forward Education Products for This Grant

Forward Education offers classroom-ready kits that align with Florida CS standards and fit cleanly into grant budgets. All kits include teacher guides and curriculum.

micro:bit Starter Kit — Entry-level physical computing, perfect for introducing coding and computational thinking.
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit — Hands-on AI literacy curriculum covering machine learning concepts for K-12 classrooms.
Coding for Good Kit — Project-based learning kit connecting coding skills to real-world community challenges.
micro:bit Robotics Kit — Advanced robotics and engineering challenges for deeper CS exploration.

Keep in Mind

TECO is very locally focused — emphasize your connection to the Tampa Bay community and the students you serve.
Energy literacy, sustainability, and environmental topics are natural fits for a utility funder; weave these themes into your CS program narrative.
Visit the TECO community page and look for event sponsorship and small grant opportunities beyond standard education grants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What area does TECO serve?

Tampa Electric serves the Tampa Bay metro area including Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, and parts of Pinellas counties.

How large are typical TECO education grants?

Most TECO education grants range from $1,000 to $15,000. Larger multi-year partnerships are possible for established programs with strong community relationships.

Can a school apply if they also received FPL funding?

Yes, provided your school is in TECO territory (not FPL territory). The two utilities serve different parts of Florida.

Does TECO require matching funds?

Matching is not always required but is viewed favorably. Showing community investment and partner support strengthens TECO applications.

How can Forward Education help?

We provide curriculum alignment documents mapped to Florida CS standards, pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for qualifying applications. Reach out before you apply.