How to Apply

Application requirements
Attaching budget file
Save and complete later
Confirmation
Deadline
Notification

The online application consists of seven fill-in-the-blank screens and a mandatory attachment of the project budget on the last screen. NOTE: Pages may be missing in Safari Web browser; use of Explorer or Netscape browser is highly recommended. If you are not comfortable filling out an online application, contact your organization's computer technician for assistance. The First Choice Power Fund is not able to provide technical assistance.

Application requirements

1. In order to access the online application, you will be required to set up an account with your e-mail address and a password. The next step is the eligibility quiz. If you fail the eligibility quiz, you do not meet grant qualifications. Please check the Web site for grant criteria. Once the eligibility quiz is complete, the seven-page application will appear. After reading the directions, if you have questions, please send an e-mail to fund@FirstChoicePower.com. E-mails will be answered within 24 hours. If you still have questions after receiving the response to your e-mail, then call (505) 241- 2747 or (505) 241-2284. Please read the entire application prior to entering fields and print a hard copy for your review. To print a copy of the application, select the "Printer-Friendly Version" option at the top of any page.
2. Complete all the boxes on each of the seven screens. Required information is noted with an asterisk. If you are lacking one of the required fields, the page will refresh and inform you that required information is missing. You will not be allowed to submit your application until all required information is supplied.
3. Provide the school's federal identification number or EIN in the application if your school is a private school or not a public school.

Attaching budget file

1. A project budget must be attached electronically to your application (please see last screen of the application). Label the budget with your last name and school name. If you do not attach a budget with your application, your application will not be considered for funding.
2. The budget must be in Microsoft Word or Excel. Provide a detailed budget for the total cost of the project and the amount requested. Please limit to one page. Your document must be named with your last name and school name. To attach the budget file, place your cursor in the box next to the File Name. Click on the "Browse" button. You will see files that are on your computer system. Select the file you wish to attach. Click "Open" and the file name will appear in the "File Name" box in the application. Then click the "Upload" button. NOTE: If you are not comfortable uploading attachments, contact your organization's computer technician for assistance. The First Choice Power Fund is not able to provide technical assistance.

Save and complete later

1. To save and complete later, click on the "save and finish later" button. NOTE: It is critical that you remember your user ID and password for future access to your application. NOTE: If your e-mail provider does not accept messages from contacts not in your address book, please add fund@FirstChoicePower.com to your address book or "safe list." If you do not do this, you will not receive your confirmation e-mail.
2. Once the application is completed, print a hard copy for your files using the "printer-friendly" feature at the top of the page, then select the submit button. NOTE: After the "submit" button is entered, the application can no longer be accessed. You will not be able to add attachments or edit your application once it is submitted.
3. If you are unable to complete your application, you may save your work and finish it later. To return to your incomplete application, select the "save and finish later" button. All the information entered will be saved, and you will be able to return to the application through a link that will be sent to the e-mail account set up. Applicants must check their e-mail to access this link.

Confirmation

1. You will receive an electronic acknowledgement after you submit your application. The e-mail will come from fund@FirstChoicePower.com. If you have a SPAM blocker or firewall, this e-mail may be sent to your SPAM folder. Please check that folder in order to receive your application acknowledgement. It is your responsibility to see if your computer will block this e-mail. The First Choice Power Fund is unable to retrieve the acknowledgement e-mail for you.
2. If you have not successfully attached your budget file, you will be contacted by the First Choice Power Fund and given the option to reapply, otherwise the application will be rejected. A copy of your application is included in the confirmation e-mail. Check the application to ensure the name of the budget file is listed in the application.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by March 5 at 6 pm CST. The application will shut down at this time and information that you have not submitted will not be sent to the First Choice Power Fund. You must submit your application using the "submit" button in order for it to be considered.

Notification

Applicants will be notified by mid-April on the status of their application through the e-mail address provided.