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.
