CITGO invests $1.5 million to support local non-profit organizations that will improve job development, education, health and environment.

CITGO Petroleum Corp. and its Corpus Christi, Texas refinery plan to invest $1.5 million in the Hillcrest, Texas Community to give aid to non-profit organizations that support the neighborhood. 

CITGO executives greeted the community on May 17 to inform them about its grant program.

“CITGO has always given back to Corpus Christi,” said Sonny Loudon, vice president and general manager of the CITGO Corpus Christi refinery. “This new investment takes that commitment one step further to focus on specific programs for the fence line community of Hillcrest.”

CITGO wants to launch a qualitative field study of social issues in the community to figure out how to make Hillcrest a more vibrant community. The study will help to see what programs should receive the most funding.

All qualified Corpus Christi-based organizations who offer services to the Hillcrest Community related to job development, education, health or the environment can apply for grants. Funds will be donated to the organizations over a three-year period. 

The application process is expected to open in June 2012. A seven-member advisory committee of community leaders will assist in reviewing the applications.  More information will be available over the next few weeks.

Loudon said his team supports making investments toward large fundraisers and grant programs, and smaller programs such as the CITGO Cares Team.

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery produces fuel for nearly 6,000 independently owned and operated CITGO branded stations in the U.S.