Gulf Power Company is designating $1 million of its 2002 State Income Tax Payment to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Northwest Florida.

The electric utility has partnered with Children First America, a national organization that provides financial aid for low income children to attend private or charter schools.

The program allows companies in the state to designate a portion of their corporate income tax to the organization.

The $1 million represents about 25 percent of Gulf Power's total state income tax bill.

The remaining 75 percent will go into the state general fund.