Our community impact

TEP’s dedication to service extends beyond providing safe, reliable power. For more than 125 years, we’ve remained to true to our vision of improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Making a difference

TEP’s volunteer, in-kind and financial contributions have significant, measurable impact in our community. We focus our philanthropic investments on education, the environment and community assistance to limited-income and at-risk residents. We also lend support to other causes that engage our active employee volunteers.

We help our community partners feed the hungry; provide shelter, direction and hope for homeless teens and adults; and educate youth in science, technology, engineering and math. We also support teachers by providing school supplies, classroom grants and funding for field trips.

We improve the quality of life for the elderly, disabled and limited-income residents by funding critical home repairs that increase their safety and comfort as well as lower their energy bills.

We help protect Arizona’s delicate desert ecosystem by working with environmental and wildlife groups to eradicate invasive buffelgrass and to provide safe nesting sites and veterinary care for birds of prey. We also give schoolchildren the opportunity to visit the Arizona Trail to learn about science and nature.

These are just a few examples of our commitment to community engagement.

Community investment

TEP contributes about $1.5 million annually to local nonprofit groups from corporate resources, not customers’ rates. These contributions are directed to hundreds of local charities through a deliberative process that seeks to maximize benefits in our chosen impact areas: education, the environment and community assistance.

Our investments include $250,000 in competitive Community Impact Grants given each year to local nonprofit agencies to support and expand their programs. TEP also donates resources such as computers, printing services, light banks and generators and many other in-kind or surplus items to local groups.

In celebration of our 125th anniversary in 2017, TEP invited customers to cast votes online to divide $165,000 in contributions among five local charities. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona claimed first prize in our Powerful Choice Challenge, a $125,000 contribution to support its Caridad Kitchen program.

Culture of Volunteerism

Volunteer service forms the heart of our corporate culture. TEP’s 1,500 employees play a direct role in strengthening their communities by donating thousands of volunteer hours to local charities each year.

TEP’s Community Action Team (CAT) volunteers lead nearly 90 community events, drives or causes each year. Since our CAT program began in 1993, TEP volunteers have contributed more than 750,000 volunteer hours to charitable causes.

At least one-third of our employees actively volunteer through CAT events or on their own. Their efforts ensure food pantries are restocked; provide clothing, school supplies and health care for foster children; raise money to combat diseases; and give individuals facing hardships an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

In addition to organizing and funding volunteer activities, TEP also offers grants to support employees who volunteer for youth organizations such as 4H, sports teams, music and special interest clubs or camps.

Tucson Electric Power: Lighting Up Classrooms

Lighting Up Classrooms

TEP has donated $85,000 to Tucson Values Teachers for its Tucson Supplies Teachers program.

Agencies Supported

TEP supports hundreds of local nonprofit groups. Agencies benefitting from our financial and volunteer support include:

  • Habitat for Humanity Tucson
  • Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
  • Girl and Boy Scouts
  • Junior Achievement
  • Primavera Foundation
  • Our Family Services
  • Pima Council on Aging
  • Tucson Values Teachers
  • El Rio Health Center
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson
  • YMCA
Tucson Electric Power: In-Kind Nonprofit Support

In-Kind Nonprofit Support

TEP lends out trucks, lights up community events and even moves zoo animals to help support our community.