Tucson Electric Power Donates $870,000 to 78 Nonprofits in First Half of 2022

Tucson Electric Power has contributed nearly $870,000 to 78 nonprofit groups during the first half of 2022, with a focus on low-income community assistance, anti-domestic violence efforts and environmental stewardship.

TEP funded a range of organizations and programs, with a focus on basic needs and wildlife protection. The company contributed to groups that provide housing stabilization to keep residents safely in their homes, while also assisting many environmental nonprofit groups with their goals for clean air, water and land resources.

TEP’s philanthropic contributions come from corporate resources and are not recovered through customers’ rates. Its community partners use contributions to sustain programs with measurable success built over many years.

Among the investments during the first six months of the year:

• $300,000 to Wildfire, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides utility bill-payment assistance to low-income residents.
• $50,000 to the University of Arizona for its expertise in taking a proactive approach for TEP’s Raptor Protection Program, which safeguards raptors and other wildlife from electric hazards.
• $15,000 to Old Pueblo Community Services for housing support, including bridge, shelter, transitional and permanent arrangements.
• $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity Tucson to bring affordable housing to Tucson and Southern Arizona through funding and volunteerism.

“Helping low-income seniors and families secure housing and satisfy other basic needs are top philanthropic priorities for TEP,” said Chris Norman, VP of public policy and corporate strategy. “We’re also committed to supporting environmental protection efforts that help improve the quality of life in our region.”

Wildfire Executive Director Cynthia Zwick said TEP’s contribution helps support those who are struggling to make ends meet.

“This helps us work toward our mission to end poverty in Arizona,” Zwick said. “TEP is a critical partner in our collective effort to help families in Tucson and Pima County work through the financial challenges they are facing.”

TEP customers also supported the community through TEP Gives. Every time customers signed up for Budget Billing, e-Bill or Auto Pay in the first half of the year, the company donated to Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse, topping out at $20,000. The Arizona Trail is the TEP Gives partner for the second half of the calendar year.

The company focuses on low-income community support in the first and fourth quarters of the year, environment and sustainability in the second quarter, and education in the third quarter, with a focus on social equity throughout the year.

In 2021, TEP assisted 176 charities through financial donations, in-kind support and the contributions of employee volunteers. Although the pandemic limited the company’s ability to attend in-person events last year, TEP volunteers contributed more than 9,971 hours to support important causes. In a typical year, about 25% of employees volunteer in the community, often while wearing the trademark blue TEP volunteer shirts.

Some of organizations and community projects are chosen by TEP’s Community Action Team, an employee-led committee that organizes volunteer and donation activities to benefit the causes closest to their hearts. Also, employees can earn donations to their favorite nonprofit organizations by tracking their volunteer hours through TEP’s Dollars for Doers program.

Organizations that meet one of the company’s focus area requirements and may be interested in funding, in-kind assistance and volunteers are encouraged to review details at tep.com/community. However, donations are made primarily through an invitation by TEP to apply.