Community Empowerment Program

Eligible Organizations:

• Local governments
• Civic organizations
• Volunteer fire departments
• Emergency medical services
• Schools
• Libraries
• Museums/Historical associations
• Other non-profits

Eligible Projects:

• The organization and project must operate within one or more of the 17 counties served by Medina EC.
• Projects must be for capital improvements, which includes vehicles.
• Organization must be the property owner where the project is located.
• The project must be maintained for the public purpose of which the grant was awarded.
• The application must be signed by the chief executive officer or administrator of the organization requesting the grant, such as a city manager, executive director, general manager, board president or school superintendent.

Ineligible Organizations:

• For-profit organizations
• Individuals
• Professional associations
• Non-profit organizations limited to group membership

Ineligible Projects or Expenses:

• Completed projects
• Program operating costs
• Seminars and conference fees
• Appliances
• Office equipment
• Members-only facilities
• Land acquisition projects
• Debt-reduction campaigns
• Involving direct distribution of funds or items
• One-time events
• Most functions carried out by a taxing entity

Apply Here!

Applications and all required paperwork are due on April 1, 2026.

2026 Applications are due on April 1*.

Apply Here

* Technical support will not be available outside of normal business hours. Encountering technical issues turning in the application on the last day will not be grounds for an extension.

Organizations that are awarded CEP grant monies must adhere to the following:

• The project must be completed within 12 months of the date the grant is awarded. Upon completion of the project, the grant recipient must submit a final report with a photograph of the completed project.
• For grants above $1,999, the grant recipient must post signage that clearly, permanently and publicly acknowledges the sponsorship of Medina EC at the site of the project.
• Grant recipients must allow Medina EC to take and publicly post pictures of the grant being awarded.

Failure to complete the project on schedule or abide by the terms of the agreement may result in Medina EC requiring the recipient to return the grant.

Be prepared to provide the following information on your application:

Organization Information

• The year the organization was founded
• The goal or purpose of the organization
• Whether or not the organization is a 501(c) and if so which type
• A list of the elected body or board of directors for the organization
• A copy of the organization's State of Texas or IRS determination letter, if applicable
• A copy of the most recent IRS Form 990, if applicable

Project Information

• An overview of the project and how the Medina EC grant will be used
• When the project is anticipated to start and be completed
• How the project will impact the community
• The project's economic impact on the community
• Who will maintain the project, both during and completion
• Whether or not the requested funds will enable completion for the project or if additional funding is needed (and how that funding will be obtained)
• Any photos, if applicable

A detailed budget summary with itemized costs and funding sources is required. Be sure to include:

• A breakdown of project costs (include vendor quotes or estimates)
• A financial statement (a copy of balance sheet or current bank statement)
• *Applicant's contribution or matching funds
• *Federal, state or municipal funding
• *Local Funding
• *In-kind contributions - Goods or services offered free or at less than the usual charge result in an in-kind contribution.
• *Other funding

*Indicate whether funds are projected, requested, already committed or raised. Include documentation

Budget Summary Sample

Budget summary must be broken out in the format below.
CEP funds column = amount you are requesting that the CEP Grant funds from Medina EC will cover.

Organization Funds column = amount your organization will contribute. This includes in-kind contributions and documentation is required.

Staff can review draft applications and provide feedback if submitted at least three weeks before the deadline.

Applications that meet the minimum requirements are reviewed by the CEP committee. The committee determines grant awards and amounts. Grants may be awarded for less than the amount requested, depending on the number of applications received. Grant decisions will be announced in June.

Decisions regarding grants are within the sole discretion of the CEP committee and may not be appealed. Communicating with members of the CEP committee about a pending grant application is not allowed.

An entity receiving a grant must wait 24 months following the official close out of the previous grant before it is eligible to submit another project.

If you have any questions please send an email to MyCoop@MedinaEC.org or call 1-866-MEC-ELEC (632-3532).

Since 2021, the average grant awarded by the CEP committee is $400-$1,000. The most common grant amount is $500.

We encourage organizations to have or find additional funding sources to complete their projects.