LCRA Community Grants

LCRA Community Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Lower Colorado River Authority
Amount: Up to US $50,000
Last Updated: February 07, 2026

Summary

The LCRA Community Grants program supports local communities with financial assistance of up to $50,000 for capital improvement projects aimed at enhancing community assets. Established in 1995, it prioritizes projects that benefit the broader community, particularly in economically challenged areas. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local governments located within LCRA's service area. Noteworthy projects may qualify for additional funding, emphasizing wildfire response and energy conservation.

Overview

Community Grants LCRA supports local communities in its service area with grants of up to $50,000 through the Community Grants program. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply, as well as city and county entities and special districts. The grants are awarded twice a year for capital improvement projects. Grant projects must improve the value of a capital asset by building, renovating or purchasing equipment, and must benefit an entire community. The program was established in 1995 to provide funds to rural, economically challenged communities that have difficulty fundraising for their needed projects. LCRA Community Grants support economic diversification in local communities; contribute to the health, safety and development of a community; or improve the quality or quantity of services essential for the development of viable communities and economic growth. Grant application requirements LCRA awards up to $50,000 for capital improvement projects that benefit an entire community. To celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary, LCRA also will award an additional grant of up to $100,000 in each of the July 2025 and January 2026 grant cycles. Applicants requesting more than $5,000 in grant funding must supply matching funds of at least 20% of the total project cost. Proposals must include plans, detailed budget, financials, vendor quotes or estimates, and IRS determination documentation. See more FAQs.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Who can applyVolunteer fire departments, emergency responders, libraries, civic groups, museums and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, as well as local governments, schools and hospitals, are eligible to apply. Projects must be located within LCRA’s wholesale electric or water service area, or areas in which LCRA Transmission Services Corporation provides transmission servicesProjects eligible for fundingGrant projects must improve the value of a capital asset by building, renovating or purchasing equipment, and must benefit an entire community.Grant-funded projects must have physical addresses located within LCRA’s wholesale electric or water service area, or areas in which LCRA Transmission Services Corporation provides transmission services. View a map of LCRA’s service areas.Organizations in all or part of the following counties are eligible for CDPP grants: Aransas, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Blanco, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Callahan, Cameron, Coke, Coleman, Colorado, Comal, Concho, Coryell, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, DeWitt, Dimmit, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Fayette, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Llano, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, McCulloch, Medina, Menard, Midland, Mills, Nolan, Nueces, Pecos, Real, San Patricio, San Saba, Schleicher, Starr, Sterling, Sutton, Taylor, Terrell, Tom Green, Travis, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Williamson and Zavala.CDPP grants are awarded for capital projects for volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, cities and counties, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. The projects must benefit or be available to an entire community and must improve the value of a capital asset by building, renovating or purchasing equipment.Applicants requesting more than $5,000 in grant funding must supply matching funds of at least 20 percent of the total project cost. Grants larger than $25,000 are intended for particularly impressive and noteworthy projects with a far-reaching impact on a broad community. The larger grant category is extremely competitive, as funding in the $25,000+ category is limited to 30 percent of the grants awarded. There is a minimum request of $1,000.

Ineligibility

What projects are NOT eligible for funding?Religious sanctuaries.Projects that are not available to an entire community.Projects that already are complete or in fundraising mode.Lodging areas/facilities (except for first-responder facilities).Land acquisition, debt-reduction campaigns and capital campaigns projects.Program operating costs, administrative and/or indirect costs, such as personnel and overhead expenses.Social service projects and limited use facilities such as animal shelters/rescues, food pantries, transitional housing and substance abuse facilities.Appliances, unless they are part of a renovation project and are commercial in nature or built-in and would be conveyed with the property if sold.Planning or consultant fees, grant writing fees, training, workshops or seminars (except for public firefighting organizations, including volunteer fire departments).Additional items that are not eligible:Drones.Software.Office equipment.Tree trimming or removal.Animal kennels or enclosures.Computer and/or video equipment.Furniture (including chairs and tables).Body armor and personal defense devices.Two-way radios, repeaters, base units and pagers.