Grant applications for Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program are due Nov. 1, 2023. Through Operation Round-Up, funds are awarded biannually to organizations that benefit rural residents and area communities.

Applicants do not need to be members of Central Electric. Eligible projects should have a positive impact in Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner or Sanborn County.

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

"If you are working on a project that enhances safety or quality of life, we want to hear about it," said Tara Miller, Central Electric's manager of communications. "Groups can request up to $5,000 with a short application process."

Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which cooperative members round their electric bill up to the next whole dollar, and the extra cents are used to fund grants. Cooperative employees and board members also contribute to the fund. Since 2015, Central Electric members, employees and board members have invested more than $180,000 to support local projects.

Funding guidelines and a fillable application can be found online at www.centralec.coop/operation-round-up or by contacting Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892.