KCCF Operation Round-Up Grant

The KREMC Operation Round Up program is a charitable grantmaking initiative administered jointly by Kosciusko REMC and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Funded by voluntary contributions from Kosciusko REMC members who choose to round up their electric bills, this program pools small donations into a fund used to support a wide range of community-oriented efforts across the utility's service area. The purpose of the Operation Round Up program is to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and agencies that serve residents within this defined service region, with a strong emphasis on meeting pressing local needs through targeted programmatic support. The program operates on a quarterly cycle, accepting applications in four rounds each year. Application deadlines fall on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1, with a required Pre-Grant Inquiry due two weeks prior to each application deadline (January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15, respectively). Pre-Grant Inquiries are used by the Foundation’s program staff to conduct a preliminary review and approve applicants to proceed with the full application process. Organizations that have not applied in the past two years are required to initiate a discussion with Foundation staff prior to beginning their application. The application process is fully online and requires a login to the Community Foundation’s portal, which must be requested in advance for first-time users. Operation Round Up grants prioritize programs that reach broad segments of the community, with a particular focus on initiatives supporting low-income individuals and families, seniors, youth development, mental health, public safety, and local agriculture. Programs that directly provide food assistance, mentoring, educational enrichment, or support agricultural education such as 4-H and FFA are highly favored. Grant funds must be used for programmatic expenses; operational infrastructure such as office equipment, technology, and capital campaign contributions are generally deprioritized or ineligible. The fund does not support grants to individuals, political or legislative initiatives, religious programming focused solely on advancing religious doctrine, or utility bill payments. Grants typically range from approximately $2,500 up to a maximum of $5,000, with lower awards possible for applicants new to the program or for lower-priority requests. Applications are reviewed by the Operation Round Up Committee, composed of Kosciusko REMC customers and non-customers selected by the REMC Board of Directors. The review process begins shortly after each deadline and includes staff review, committee deliberations, and funding decisions issued roughly six weeks following each application date. Notifications are sent via email, and grant agreements are then distributed through the online portal for signature and compliance review. Required application materials include a completed Authorization Signature Form, and depending on the organization’s size and type, additional documentation may include an IRS determination letter, lists of board and staff with locations, and financial statements. Organizations with operating budgets exceeding $100,000 must submit a recent Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activities. Government entities such as public schools are exempt from submitting financials. Once approved, grants are distributed via mailed check following completion of the grant agreement. A final report is required one year after funding, documenting outcomes and including receipts or invoices for approved expenses. For further information, applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation’s Vice President of Programs, Alex Hall, via email at [email protected]. The Community Foundation is located at 102 East Market Street in Warsaw, Indiana. The program provides consistent quarterly funding opportunities and is expected to continue its current schedule of February, May, August, and November deadlines annually.

Support programs with community impact and avoid low-priority items like office furniture or past expenses.