The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) supports local communities through its Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP), which provides grants of up to $50,000 for capital improvement projects. Since its inception, the program has awarded 2,093 grants, investing nearly $294 million into local communities. The CDPP is designed to fund projects that enhance the value of capital assets by building, renovating, or purchasing equipment that benefits an entire community.

Eligible applicants include volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, cities, counties, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. However, projects must be located within LCRA’s wholesale electric or water service area or in areas where the LCRA Transmission Services Corporation provides transmission services. A service area map is available for potential applicants to determine eligibility.

The CDPP operates on a semi-annual basis, accepting applications in January and July. The next application cycle will run from July 1 to July 31, 2025. Applications must be submitted through LCRA’s online submission portal. The application process requires applicants to provide detailed project plans, a budget, financial documentation, vendor quotes or estimates, and IRS tax-exempt status confirmation. For grant requests exceeding $5,000, applicants must supply matching funds covering at least 20% of the total project cost.

Once an application is submitted, the LCRA conducts an eight-week review process. Applicants will receive email updates regarding their proposal status and the final award decision. Successful applicants will be notified at the end of the review process.

Projects eligible for funding must contribute to the improvement of capital assets and provide community-wide benefits. Examples of previously funded projects include the purchase of emergency response equipment, HVAC system upgrades for public venues, and acquiring rescue boats for volunteer fire departments. Projects that do not meet these criteria are ineligible for funding.

For additional guidance, applicants can review CDPP’s FAQ section or contact program representatives. The primary contacts for the grant are Sheila Slagel, Grants Program Manager, and Liz Mundine, Grants Program Administrator. Sheila Slagel can be reached at 800-776-5272, ext. 3140, or via email at grants@lcra.org. Liz Mundine can be reached at 800-776-5272, ext. 1627.