LCRA Community Grants

The LCRA Community Grants program is a long-standing initiative managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), aimed at supporting rural and economically challenged communities across LCRA’s electric, water, and transmission service areas. Established in 1995, this biannual grant program provides funding for capital improvement projects that enhance the quality of life, increase community safety, and foster economic diversification. With a focus on projects that benefit entire communities, the program offers a vital source of financial support to organizations that often face significant hurdles in accessing other forms of funding. Eligible applicants include a broad spectrum of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, such as museums, civic groups, and historical associations, along with local governments, schools, libraries, hospitals, and volunteer fire departments. The key eligibility criterion is that the project must be physically located within LCRA’s designated service areas. These areas cover numerous Texas counties, including but not limited to Travis, Bastrop, Burnet, Hays, and Matagorda. The program explicitly excludes individuals, for-profit entities, social service projects, and limited-use facilities from eligibility. Projects must involve capital improvements that build, renovate, or purchase equipment and are expected to last at least ten years. Examples include energy-efficient upgrades like LED lighting or solar panel installations, public safety equipment for emergency responders, and water conservation measures. Projects must serve the entire community and cannot be limited to private or restricted use. Ineligible projects include religious sanctuaries, land acquisition, operating costs, software, furniture, office equipment, and others. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the project adds value to a capital asset rather than serving routine maintenance purposes. Each grant cycle offers up to $50,000 in funding per project. However, in celebration of the program's 30th anniversary, LCRA will award one additional grant of up to $100,000 in both the July 2025 and January 2026 cycles. For funding requests exceeding $5,000, applicants are required to provide a minimum 20% match of the total project cost. Matching funds must be available at the time of application and can include monetary contributions, pledged donations, or in-kind services, provided they are properly documented. The application process is fully online and occurs twice a year. Interested organizations must create an account and submit their application through the LCRA submission portal. Application windows open on January 1 and July 1, with strict deadlines on January 31 and July 31. The process includes uploading essential documentation such as IRS determination letters, detailed budgets, vendor quotes, financial statements, and photographs if applicable. Once the application period ends, LCRA conducts an eight-week review process involving internal and external committees. Applicants receive email updates on their proposal status throughout the review. Successful applicants are notified via email, with funding disbursed approximately six to eight weeks after the award notice. Funded projects must be completed within twelve months, and failure to do so could result in the requirement to return the grant funds. Additionally, applicants must wait 24 months after receiving a grant before applying again. The LCRA Community Grants program remains an essential resource for community-led infrastructure improvements in underserved Texas regions.

Strong proposals show community-wide benefit, clear match documentation, and long-term impact.