PEC Community Grants
Overview
PEC Community Grants were established in 2010 after the Board of Directors adopted PEC's Community Giving Program Policy. The grants of up to $1,000 are awarded through an open and competitive application process to non-profit organizations within the PEC service territory. Emphasis will be placed on awards that support life-saving, conservation and educational projects or equipment.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a community grant, an applicant:
- Must be a non-profit organization organized under the laws of the state of Texas, currently in good standing with the Texas Secretary of State;
- Must not be a lobbying, political, fraternal or labor organization, trade or professional association;
- If federally tax-exempt, must provide a current IRS letter confirming tax-exempt status, and the most recent version of the entity’s Form 990, Form 990-N or Form 990-EZ;
- Must not within the 12 months preceding the scheduled grant award date have received a PEC Community Grant or funds through the PEC Light the Way, Partners in Learning, Youth Livestock, or Project Graduation programs; organizations that have received a United Charities contribution are eligible to apply;
- Must not exist solely to help fund organizations that already receive funding through the PEC Light the Way, Partners in Learning, Youth Livestock or Project Graduation programs;
- If a PEC member, must be in good standing , with no past due balance;
- If not a PEC member, must have an address within the PEC service territory registered with the Texas Secretary of State or the Internal Revenue Service; and
- Must complete and deliver by the deadline an application that conforms with the program criteria stated below.
Criteria
PEC Community Grants can be used for the following:
- Capital improvement projects;
- Equipment needs;
- Program implementation; and
- Special projects — any project that doesn’t fall under one of the other criteria categories listed and still meets all other eligibility requirements.
PEC Community Grants cannot be used to/for:
- Political lobbying, religious or legislative activities;
- Benefit any other organization — funds must be used by and for the organization granted the award;
- Operating expenses related to utility and maintenance costs;
- Fundraising dinners, raffles and other events;
- Building an endowment;
- Personal use — funds must benefit the organization, not an individual;
- Organizations that raise funds to help PEC low-income members pay their electric bills; and
- Sponsorships or advertising
Applications
Applications are available here or can be provided upon request by calling 830-868-4921. Submit your completed application and IRS letter confirming non-profit status by mail, fax or email.
- Mailing address:
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Attn: Community Relations Department – Community Grants
P.O. Box 346
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620 - E-Fax:
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Attn: Community Relations Department – Community Grants
512-853-8014 - E-mail Address:
- communitygivingprogram@peci.com
Deadlines
Grants will generally be awarded within three months after the application deadline.
- Application deadlines for budget year 2012:
- April 1, 2012
- October 1, 2012
All applications, along with the organization’s IRS non-profit determination letter, must be received by PEC no later than 5 p.m. on the deadline. If the deadline falls on a holiday or over the weekend, it will be extended to 5 p.m. on the next regular business day.
Any application that does not include an IRS letter confirming non-profit status or is received after the deadline will not be considered and will be required to re-apply for the next available deadline.
Questions?
To learn more about PEC’s Community Grants program, call 830-868-4921 and ask to speak with a Community Development Representative, or email inquiries to communitygivingprogram@peci.com.