Operation Round Up Grants

We are excited that in June 2024, we were able to celebrate $1 million in community grants awarded through our Operation Round Up program since its inception in 2006!

We appreciate all our members who contribute to this program and made this milestone possible.

Note to Grant Applicants: To ensure your grant application is received, PLEASE complete the online form by clicking the “Application” button below. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please call us at 800-897-7362 to ensure we’ve received your application.

Since 1936, Boone Power has been committed to improving our members’ quality of life. This tradition continues with our community service program called Operation Round Up. Members participate by agreeing to have their monthly energy bill amount rounded up to the next whole dollar. On average, these individual contributions amount to 50 cents a month, or about $6 a year.

To opt out: Members who do not wish to participate may opt out of the Operation Round Up program through SmartHub. If you have the SmartHub app, tap on Bill & Pay from the home screen menu at the bottom of the screen, then choose Round Up. Select your account, and then choose Unenroll. If you use SmartHub on the web, click on the Bill & Pay drop-down menu from the left side of the screen, then choose Round Up. Under the Action heading, click on the Unenroll button. If you need assistance, give us a call at 800-897-7362.

Yet, taken together, these contributions add up to something pretty remarkable: thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships. The collected funds are placed into an independent 501(c)(3) trust and disbursed through a grant process. An independent board of trustees meets bi-monthly to review grant requests, and Operation Round Up contributions are then used in the local area for charitable and educational purposes.

These grants are awarded in amounts up to $10,000 and make a big impact on our community. Learn more about eligibility and restrictions below.

Grant Application

Grant Application Deadlines

The Operation Round Up board meets quarterly to review grant applications. Grant submission deadlines are:

February 15
May 15
August 15
November 15

The Boone REMC Community Fund will be funded by Operation Round Up voluntary contributions from members of the Cooperative. Operation Round Up contributions will be used primarily in the local area served by the Cooperative for charitable and educational purposes.

Grant availability will be promoted through press releases and social media. The Boone REMC Community Fund Board of Trustees will review and distribute funds quarterly. Grants will be awarded based on the provisions of the Bylaws, and as stipulated in these guidelines.

Non-profit groups and organizations that serve communities located within the Boone REMC service area.

Grant requests should qualify for one or more of these categories:

Community Service
Economic Development
Youth
Environment
Disaster Relief

Operation Round Up funds school projects through corporation education foundations. Any program that directly affects the classroom should apply to the education foundation for funding.

Contributions will generally be made only to non-profit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).

Contributions will generally NOT be made for:

Lobbying, political and religious organizations
Veteran, fraternal and labor organizations
Fundraising dinners, raffles and other events
Individuals
Capital fund campaigns
National fund drives
Advertising
Ongoing operational/administrative expenses

The following factors will be considered in the evaluation of all funding requests:

Potential benefit to area residents and the entire community;
Level of community support for the program or project;
Administrative capability of the organization to deliver sustained quality service or program;
Results that are predictable and can be evaluated.

It shall be the responsibility of all Fund trustees to evaluate funding requests and allocate contributions to accomplish the purposes and intent of these guidelines.

Organizations should complete the application form on the Boone REMC website. Note that it can be started, saved, and continued within 30 days.

Please upload the following to your application:

Detailed budget showing how requested funds will be spent
Copy of the IRS tax-exempt letter if appropriate
Current financial reports, including an Income Statement and Balance Sheet