Over $150,000 in Grants Awarded to 28 Local Nonprofits

Texas

Twenty-eight qualifying organizations serving constituencies within Texas-New Mexico Power's territory have been awarded TNMP Power Grants for 2023.

"We were very pleased that the TNMP Fund was able to increase funding again this year to support even more projects across our territory," said TNMP President, Neal Walker. "We look forward to seeing and hearing about the positive outcomes of these projects."

Facts about 2023 grant

  • Over 100 qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations applied for grants.
  • $155,000 was available in amounts between $2,000 and $10,000.
  • Grants are made by the TNMP Fund from shareholder dollars. No rate dollars are used for grants.

Here is what a few of the nonprofits had to say about receiving a TNMP Power Grant:

“We’re super excited and grateful for TNMP’s support! The partnership has been strong for many years and the continued support of teacher innovative programs truly takes education to the next level for our students. Soon the STEM/Reading bus will be rolling out to students all across Clear Creek ISD to bring specialized programs to students where they live. Thank you TNMP for being a part of our success,” said Deborah Laine, Executive Director of Clear Creek Education Foundation.

“Thank you TNMP for being supporters of our team of local Volunteer Fire Fighters. The Kermit Volunteer Fire Department is extremely lucky to have a company that we not only work hand in hand with but is truly invested in our success and safety. With this year’s grant we will be able to knock out a big chunk of our wildland gear project and the team members are extremely thankful,” said Kermit Fire Chief, Zane Croker.

"The Power Grant from TNMP will cover the cost of medical care for children in Brazoria County who have experienced sexual abuse, providing both children and caregivers peace of mind that they are healthy and on the path to healing,” said Kristi Hawkins, Executive Director of Brazoria County Alliance for Children.

"Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is proud to have the support of Texas-New Mexico Power in our journey to provide equitable access to nature.  Through their generous grant, we will be able to create walkways at our A Closer Look at the Overlook area that will make it easier for people of all abilities to explore the natural environment and learn about conservation,” said Jennifer Arledge, Director of Environmental Engagement.

“Sharkarosa Zoo is grateful for the generous donation by TNMP to purchase heaters and evaporator coolers for our lemurs. Lemurs are a critically endangered species and through this generous donation, we can provide better climate control, which helps us keep our lemurs healthy, happy, and available for the public to enjoy and interact with. It also assists as we strive to continue our conservation breeding efforts, so these amazing creatures are around for future generations to love and enjoy,” said Amanda Newman, Chief Financial Officer, Sharkarosa Zoo.

“Montague Volunteer Fire Department requested a Power Grant from TNMP. Hands free results in real time communication and noise cancelling. This can make all the difference for personal safety in an emergency. MVFD has seen an influx of residents in their respective response area, as well as Montague County as a whole. MFVD relies solely on donations, fund raisers and annual fish fry for revenue to cover the cost of truck expense, fuel, insurance, and supplies,” said MVFD.

"TNMP's generous support will help us serve riders experiencing financial hardship with Equine Assisted Therapy scholarships. We are grateful to TNMP for recognizing the value of equine therapy and its powerful benefit for individuals with special needs. Thank you TNMP," said Jennifer Mathis, Program Director of Equiphope.

2023 recipient organizations:

  • Alvin Community College Foundation Inc.: $8,000 to supply the Alvin Community College Biotechnology program with the necessary tools to address proper laboratory training and procedures. Centrally located, the Alvin Community College Biotechnology program is within thirty miles of seven biomanufacturing companies.
  • Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding and Respite: $5,000 to install gutters on Adele's Barn, as well as a rainwater collection system.
  • Bosque Emergency Support Team: $4,408 to purchase a generator, refrigerator, rehab vehicle cab a/c, computer for office functions, and printer.
  • Bosque Spay Neuter: $4,500 to fund a program catering to the elderly and military veterans to provide no-cost spay/neuter and food, enabling their pets to stay in their homes and thrive, for the good of both the pet and the owner(s). 
  • Brazoria County Alliance for Children: $8,000 to fund laboratory testing for child sexual abuse victims. The Center is on track to provide 96 sexual assault exams to children who have experienced sexual abuse, with laboratory testing conducted as needed.
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Hood & Somervell Counties, Inc.: $2,000 to fund a robust prevention education program in the schools through an event that will raise awareness and assist in future funding efforts to expand the programs in Somervell County. The event would be scheduled during April - Child Abuse Prevention Month. The funds would provide an opportunity to expand on what they are currently able to offer to the community.
  • Christian Community Action: $5,000 to ensure that every individual and family accessing CCA's Food Pantry receives the necessary hygiene items they require every week. This objective is aimed at eliminating the difficult choices individuals face between hygiene products and other living expenses.
  • Clear Creek Education Foundation: $3,566 to developing a STEAM Makerspace bus to travel to CCISD schools to support STEM and Makerspace activities. 
  • College of Mainland Foundation: $8,000 to fund provide continuing education program students with scholarships ranging between $500 and $1,000 to use toward tuition and supplies. These scholarships will lead to life-changing career opportunities for approximately 10-20 CE students.
  • Dickinson ISD Education Foundation Inc.: $5,000 for the introduction of 3D printers at Dickinson ISD junior high schools that hold immense promise for enhancing the learning experience and exposing students to the world of AutoCAD. This integration fosters hands-on learning, technological literacy, and collaboration while nurturing essential life skills.
  • EquiHope: $5,000 to fund the rider scholarship fund to serve families with this very effective Equine Therapy by providing 40 more scholarship lessons.
  • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: $10,000 to make the Overlook area more accessible to all visitors by connecting sidewalks/paths between Overlook buildings and attractions to be better suited for those with mobility challenges. 
  • Gatesville Fire Department: $5,000 to fund a Land Leveler that will enable the department to leave the land in usable condition. Gatesville Fire Department has an assigned area of 257 square miles plus provides mutual aid to all of Coryell County.
  • Hearts for Homes: $5,000 to be used for building materials still needed to build a home for a Pilot Point family in need.
  • Kermit Volunteer Fire Department: $5,000 to fund additional lightweight, lower temperature gear will allow firefighters to perform duties in extreme weather conditions more efficiently.
  • Leadership Fort Stockton: $2,500 to fund the Youth Leadership and the Adult Leadership programs with the goal of equipping the community with enthusiastic leaders.
  • Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce: $5,000 to enable the Lewisville Area Chamber to support community-led efforts to address issues and make a positive impact on people's lives.
  • Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin: $5,000 to grow their reach with programming and building literacy infrastructure in the most rural and geographically isolated areas of the Permian Basin with more than 75+ partners and stakeholders.
  • Montague Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 to fund wireless headsets for five trucks. The primary accomplishment is to enhance safety for both the fireman, community and prepare for future growth. 
  • Papa’s Pantry: $5,000 to purchase food for distribution to the hungry people in Somervell County during the 4th quarter of 2023 by purchasing basic food items for the many families that are helped monthly. 
  • Pediplace: $5,000 to fund “Reach Out and Read Project” which provides new children's books to children 6 months through 5 years of age. Literacy is a complementary part of PediPlace's program.
  • Peoria Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $5,000 to fund to purchase six new sets of gear for those firefighters with the objective of protecting the firefighter from burns or other injury.
  • Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 to purchase new Bay doors for the station. The current doors are 30 years old, require daily, if not weekly maintenance and repairs, and take time to open and shut. New doors will help secure the department, as well as provide easy access when responding to calls for opening and of shutting doors. These doors would help to better serve the community they protect.
  • Rains County Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: $5,000 to underwrite the cost of books for 370 children at $27.00 per child per year in 2024.
  • Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department: $4,997 to purchase two Tait TP9400 PSAP radios and four 1" spray nozzles. The radios are crucial for effective communication during emergency calls. The 1" spray nozzles are critical to all firefighting operations. The nozzles are needed to upgrade the current leaking/older ones.
  • Sharkarosa Zoo: $9,574 to provide two heaters, two evaporator coolers, and evaporator cooler media replacement pads to aid in controlling the climate in Lemur Lane.
  • Texas Children’s Museum: $2,000 for general funding, helping pay the rent and utilities, and the other part will be used to improve the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) area. Updated to this area will likely have the greatest impact on the greater community of visitors.
  • Whitney Wildcat Football League: $2,975 to purchase the following items: safety mats for cheer, cooling stations for players and volunteers, an ice machine for injuries, additional first aid kits, field maintenance equipment, volleyball net systems, additional water coolers, guardian caps for football helmets, and safer practice equipment.