About the Program

With the Reduce Your Use Grant™ program, our goal is to ensure that our nonprofit partners maximize their energy potential by using their resources wisely. Here’s how it works—we give a grant of up to $2,000 for the organization to make energy-efficient upgrades. By implementing these energy-efficiency changes, organizations serve as role models in our community while lowering their own energy costs. And the money they save on electricity can be used instead for enhanced programs to aid those most in need. All applicants must complete a preliminary screening prior to gaining access to the application. If the applicant fits within the guidelines by answering all the questions correctly, the application will become available. Requests must be submitted using the online application, and electronic supporting materials may be attached to the application.

Learn more

•  What could a nonprofit purchase with $2,000?
• Types of organizations encouraged to apply
• Funding guidelines
• Applicant and recipient requirements
• Judging/scoring system
• Groups, programs and activities not supported

What could a nonprofit purchase with $2,000?

Stop waste in your break room or on your electric bill. Among other things, a nonprofit could purchase:

• ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator: $1,000
• Programmable thermostat: $60
• Weatherization kit including plastic, door sweeps, caulking and hot water heater blanket:  $120
• 29x41 ENERGY STAR rated window: $160 plus installation
• Energy smart hot water heater: $400 plus installation

All costs listed above are estimates. Exact expenses often depend on size of building, model selected, etc.

First Choice Power accepts grants from:

• Organizations with current or active IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status
• Organizations registered with and in good standing with the appropriate state registration agency.
• Organizations in First Choice Power service territories or communities where the company has business interests. 

Determine if your request fits funding guidelines and focus areas

Competition is increasing for our community investment resources. This means we receive many more requests for support than we can possibly fulfill. We promise to give every appeal fair consideration, but we do ask that you study our guidelines before submitting a project summary. If you have any questions about whether your program fits our guidelines, feel free to contact us at grant@FirstChoicePower.com, and we’ll be happy to help you figure it out.

Applicant and Recipient Requirements

Applicant must fill out all required information on application.

Recipients will be required to provide an annual report regarding grant program as well as share energy-efficient tips with their clients and customers. For help with the application, check out our page of tips for writing grants.

Judging/Scoring System

The scoring system will be executed on a point scheme with various categories and includes extra points for current First Choice Power customers; agencies that focus on serving low-income populations; and agencies where our employees and retirees volunteer.

Great Grant Examples

There are unlimited paths that could be taken to improve a nonprofits’ energy efficiency. Projects could be as simple as basic winter-weather preparation (installing door sweeps, caulking, applying window plastic, etc.) or as extensive as providing a down payment on a solar panel.

Here are some examples of our community partners putting their Reduce Your Use Grants to work:
Second Helpings: A Food Pantry in Fannin County made the most of its grant by purchasing two large energy-efficient freezers, an energy-efficient cooling system, solar reflectors and window insulation. In turn, the Pantry was able to purchase additional no-cost, emergency food for needy citizens.

Daily Double: With its $2,000 grant, an autism foundation in Houston purchased more efficient lighting and two washing machines. By replacing the older and less efficient machines, they were able to gain the double benefit of saving money on both water and electricity.

Cool Digs: A Christian retreat center in Glen Rose bought a radiant barrier and installed energy efficient windows in a dorm-style cabin at its summer-camp facility. The center director reported that the cabin was the most comfortable cabin at the facility, and the windows kept the cabin cool even without the air conditioning turned on.

Groups, Programs and Activities Not Supported

In order to focus First Choice Power funding resources, certain limitations govern our grant-making decisions. Generally, Reduce Your Use Grants do not support:

• Individuals
• Individual schools (First Choice Power alternately supports individual schools through Classroom Energy Innovation Grants)
• Organizations that limit membership and services based on race, religion, color, creed, sex, age or national origin
• Sectarian or religious programs for religious purposes
• Veterans, labor and political organizations or campaigns
• Fraternal, athletic and social clubs
• Organizations that in any way pose a conflict with First Choice Power’s mission, goals, programs, products or employees
• Testimonial dinners, fund-raising events, advertising
• Payments of loans, interest, taxes or debt retirement
• Endowments
• Requests solely for administrative, operating and overhead costs

First Choice Power reserves the right to fund or to deny any request. Grant recipients are required to submit final reports.