LCRA Community Grants 2026

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Community Grant Program provides funding support to eligible organizations within its service areas to enhance local community infrastructure through capital improvements. LCRA, a nonprofit public utility based in Texas, supplies wholesale electricity and water to public and private entities, in addition to operating parks and providing various regional services. This community grant initiative aligns with LCRA’s mission of supporting and enriching the quality of life for communities served by its energy and water systems. The Community Grant Program is designed to fund capital projects that improve the value of community assets and provide tangible benefits to residents. Qualifying projects typically involve construction, renovations, or the purchase of equipment that serves an entire community. Examples include emergency response tools, community center upgrades, and infrastructure enhancements. The program emphasizes projects that can demonstrate long-term value and impact within the LCRA’s designated service area. Eligible applicants include a range of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and public entities such as volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, libraries, civic groups, museums, local governments, public schools, and hospitals. All proposed projects must be located within LCRA’s wholesale electric or water service area or in areas served by its Transmission Services Corporation. A geographic service map is available to help applicants determine eligibility based on location. Grant awards typically reach up to $50,000 per project. However, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the program, LCRA will also offer one additional $100,000 grant in both the July 2025 and January 2026 grant cycles. Projects requesting more than $5,000 must include matching funds equal to at least 20% of the total project cost. Applications must include detailed plans, vendor estimates, a full budget, financial statements, and IRS nonprofit determination letters. The grant cycle occurs semiannually with online application windows open from January 1 to January 31 and July 1 to July 31. Applicants are required to create or log into an account on the grant submission portal to complete and submit applications. Upon submission, each applicant will receive an email confirmation. The review period lasts approximately eight weeks, after which applicants will be notified of their funding status via email. Contact for the grant program includes Sheila Slagel, the grants program manager, and Liz Mundine, the program administrator. They can be reached at 800-776-5272, extensions 3140 and 1627 respectively, or via email at grants@lcra.org. This structured process ensures transparency and equitable distribution of funds for projects that align with LCRA’s goals of sustainable and community-oriented development.

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