Over $195,000 in Power Grants Awarded to 26 Local Nonprofits

Twenty-six qualifying organizations serving constituencies within Texas-New Mexico Power's territory have been awarded TNMP Power Grants for 2024.

"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 2024 grant

• Over 90 qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations applied for grants.
• $195,000 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.

2024 recipient organizations:

• Alvin ISD Education Foundation, Inc.: will provide electrical generation modules and circuit design kits to students at Alvin High School, JB Hensler College, and Career Academy. This will enhance hands-on learning opportunities in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for high school students. By integrating these advanced tools into the curriculum, the project seeks to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills that are essential for success in today's technology-driven world.
• Angleton ISD Education Foundation: expansion will make Ozobots available to over 2,000 students in grades 2-5 at every elementary campus, starting with our gifted and talented (GT) students in the APAWLO. TNMP’s investment will provide each campus with a complete classroom set of Ozobots, allowing students to engage with this innovative technology and enhance STEM education for all elementary students. 
• Barrow Bots: provide iPads for a 1:1 programming ratio and add two new robots to enhance hands-on STEM learning. This year’s “Under the Sea” challenge inspired students to build LEGO submarines, including one designed to collect ocean trash.
• Blum Youth Association: funding will completely refurbish the batting cages by replacing netting, concrete and metal roof.
• CASA of Hill County, Texas: to provide continuing education to advocates and pre-service training to new, potential advocates to serve as guardian ad litem for children in foster care in Hill County.  This will allow us to train a minimum of 8 new volunteers for 2025, provide 6-8 in person trainings for advocates, provide training materials and books, and to bring in outside trainers to provide training on various topics.
• Galveston County Food Bank: distributes 750,000 pounds of food monthly, serving over 30,000 residents in need. To improve their registration process for the 2,500+ visitors they see each month, GCFB was awarded a Power Grant to fund kiosks that will reduce bottlenecks, provide guest privacy, and streamline volunteer registration.
• Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance: funds will be used for funding of their BackPack Program, which supplies food to at-risk children over weekends and holidays when school lunches are not available. We are excited to support LWMA in their commitment to support those in need in our communities.
• Lewisville Lake Symphony Association: present a “Peter and the Wolf” educational concert followed by hands-on workshops that give children the opportunity to touch and even play real orchestral instruments and to use their imagination to make their own instruments to take home.
• Lilah Smith Safe House: This will support vital needs such as counseling services, food, clothing, cleaning supplies, staff training, vehicle expenses, educational resources, and building maintenance—ensuring families have the support they need to rebuild their lives.
• Longhorn Association: directly impact student needs through proper nutrition and providing experiences these kids may never get to experience otherwise; The rising cost of materials, groceries, equipment, uniforms, textbooks, etc. takes a toll on our annual budget. So, receiving this grant would ensure that we still get to provide these students with the experiences and meals that we have for years, but at the same time help our organization to grow and build our fund balance and plan for those unexpected expenses.
• Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County: will support their amazing work in sending care packages to our troops. These care packages are more than just supplies—they are a reminder to our service members that they are appreciated and remembered.
• Montague VFD: to purchase wireless headsets for (2) trucks. The primary accomplishment is to enhance Safety for both the fireman, community and pre-pare for future growth. MVFD has seen an influx of residents in their respective response area (100 sq. miles) as well as Montague County as a whole for which MVFD is first call for Mutual Aid. This consist of (197) new home steads in MVFD Response area and (27) new structures in Montague County. MFVD also over the past year, MVFD has been diligently working to enhance safety for their volunteers and added a machine that will aid in the help of cancer prevention with a turnout washer for bunker gear.  As well as utilization of the award from TNMP with the wireless headsets for trucks.
• Nocona Lucky Paws Animal Shelter: to pay for additional spay/neuter, vaccinations, and veterinary care for animals within the community.  We will track these funds to ensure they are dedicated to support local pet owners in need. 
• Nocona Rural VFD, Inc: to install wireless headset communication systems in three of the Department’s brush trucks. Our goal is to increase firefighter safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. These systems allow the firefighters operating on the front bumper platform and/or rear platform to be in constant contact with the apparatus operator.
• Palo Pinto Mountains Senior Center: to convert the historic pump house into a community event space that could be used for meetings, senior center gatherings, club meetings and as a small event space (I.e. wedding & baby showers, birthday parties, etc.)
• PediPlace: Reach Out and Read (ROAR) Program which provides new children's books to children 6 months through 5 years of age. Literacy is a complementary part of PediPlace's program. 
• Petrolia VFD: to renovate the exterior of our department, would greatly influence the Petrolia community and the surrounding communities. The renovations would impact the community in the following ways our building not only stores our equipment and trucks and gives us a place to preform business and training, but also is used for a polling site for voting, it is also is the contingency plan location for a shelter for people in case of a disaster, and is as well a meeting place for other community organizations from time to time.
• Pilot Point Education Foundation: provide Teacher Mini-Grants each year for special projects that the School District and/or State funds will not fund. 
• Ringgold VFD: fund wireless headset communication technology to enhance safety for our brave first responders as they work to keep our community safe.
• S.T.O.P. (Stop. Talk. Overcome. Pain.): hosts school assemblies and S.T.O.P. events that focus on suicide prevention, fentanyl awareness, and anti-cyber bullying education. After each S.T.O.P. assembly held at a school, there is an average of 12-15 students who reach out for help, which is approximately 30-50 per campus. The S.T.O.P. program addresses the stigma associated with mental health, empowering at-risk youth to seek support from trusted adults. The TMNP Power Grant funds will allow S.T.O.P. to conduct 12-15 school assemblies providing mental health resources to students identified as suicidal and reach thousands of students at one time.
• Special Abilities of North Texas: to sustain and expand our comprehensive care and developmental programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). bridging the critical funding gap caused by inadequate state support. With state programs providing as little as $3.66 per hour, there is a significant shortfall between what is funded and the $15,700 it costs annually to provide full-time services to one ACE. This grant will allow us to continue offering individualized care, specialized staff training, and a diverse array of activities that go beyond basic state requirements, such as our Performing Arts, Fitness, and Cooking Clubs.
• Tolar VFD: upgrade several appliances to include a refrigerator, stove, microwave, ice machine, an Extractor and clothes dryer. The current kitchen style appliances are all over 20 years old. With their replacement, the energy efficient rating could be greatly improved upon. The ice machine would allow for the filling of ice chests to be utilized for rehab of fire fighters. The extractor would be utilized to clear fire fighter protective gear and then reduce carcinogenic particles to help protect the firefighter’s health. 
• University of North Texas Foundation, Inc.: To provide $400-$600 to students who require a meal plan for their first time in college. The FGSC could award students who demonstrate a financial need. The FGSC will measure students’ retention and success for those who received TNMP money for the 2025-2026 academic year. Currently, student retention has increased by 9% and GPA increased by 0.27 points. Please see attached for descriptive data. Community Enrichment ($3,000) These programs include opportunities to enhance students’ perspective on the cultural arts, business and industry, and networking opportunities. Goal: To provide visits to local artistries, museums, symphonies, and leadership summits each semester. Measurable: Collect pre-and post- attitudinal data on students’ experiences; this will parallel the increase in student retention and graduation (first-year completion = 86%; retention rate= 84%).
• West of the Pecos Museum: help the museum enhance its exhibits with interactive kiosks, creating more engaging and immersive experiences for visitors. We are thrilled to support their mission of bringing history to life and enriching the community through education and storytelling.
• White Bluff on Lake Whitney VFD, Inc: purchase a Draeger X-am 8000 Multi Gas Detector with calibration equipment, or a similar product.
• Young County Olney Senior Cub Center, Inc.: The Quality-of-Life Program is an activity program for seniors, the disabled, and the underprivileged. The program consists of arts, crafts, dances, educational classes, exercise, and games. A variety of activities are scheduled throughout each month and are free to participants. The expenses included in the project will include planning and implementation to carry out the activities, supplies and refreshments for the activity, and storage containers for organization.