Operation Round-Up Grant Deadline May 1

Do you know of a local organization that could use $250 to $3,000? Applications for Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up grant program are due May 1, 2024. Through Operation Round-Up, local groups and non-profit organizations can request funding for projects that benefit cooperative members and their communities.

In recent years, grants have been awarded for senior programs, nutrition programs, emergency services, park improvements, building improvements and educational initiatives. Grant recipients have included non-profit groups, senior citizen organizations, youth clubs, community groups, fire departments, schools and municipalities.

Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which cooperative members round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar, and the extra cents are used to fund grants. Cooperative employees and board members also contribute to the fund. Several electric cooperatives across the United States have similar programs. Since Central Electric's fund started in 2015, nearly $200,000 has been invested to support local projects.

Cooperative members from each county meet twice a year to award funds. Members of the volunteer board of trustees are Julie Dykstra of Aurora County, Clarissa Glaus of Brule County, Yvette Isburg of Buffalo County, David Jorgenson of Davison County, LeAnn Moe of Hanson County, Amber Kolousek of Jerauld County, Tami Moore of Miner County, Dawna VanOverschelde of Sanborn County and Merl Bechen who serves on the cooperative’s board of directors.

Applicants are not required to be members of Central Electric, but eligible projects should have a positive impact within the cooperative's service area. Funding guidelines and a fillable application can be found online at www.centralec. coop/operation-round-up or by contacting Central Electric at 1-800-477-2892.