LCRA awards more than $1.1 million in grants to Texas community projects
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Community projects across Texas have been awarded more than $1.1 million in the latest round of grants from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The grants are awarded twice a year to projects across the LCRA's wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. In the latest round, $1,108,679 was awarded to 45 projects, including fire departments, museums, activity centers and youth athletic clubs.
The funds are part of the agency's Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP), which to date has awarded 2,137 grants totaling more than $54 million.
In the latest round, five projects were granted the maximum $50,000 each:
- Columbus Club of Shiner, Texas, to remodel and upgrade a community hall
- Danish Heritage Preservation Society to repair and renovate their museum building which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Beryl
- Restoring Bronte Foundation to repair and upgrade a 50-year-old community center and emergency shelter
- Shive Volunteer Fire Department for a new fire truck
- Zephyr Volunteer Fire Department to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus systems and air cylinders
"Our goal is to help communities continue to thrive by helping with projects such as improving museums and libraries, expanding recreational opportunities and supplying first responders with reliable equipment," LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said. "These grants help support local initiatives and improve the lives of Texans."
Volunteer fire departments, emergency responders, cities and counties, schools, libraries, civic groups, museums and other tax-exempt nonprofits are eligible to receive a grant. Applicants requesting more than $5,000 in grant funding must give matching funds of at least 20% of the total project cost.
The application period for the next round of grants closes at midnight on July 31. You can apply online. The LCRA will award two $100,000 grants — one after the July application period and another after the January 2026 application period — to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the CDPP.