Operation Round-Up Grant

The Operation Round-Up® Grant is a community funding initiative administered by the Johnson County REMC (JCREMC) Community Fund, in partnership with the Johnson County Community Foundation. The program was launched in May 2019 and is designed to improve the quality of life in communities served by JCREMC in Indiana. This initiative allows JCREMC electric consumers to voluntarily contribute small amounts by rounding up their utility bills to the nearest dollar. These cumulative micro-donations fund charitable and non-profit organizations through a formal grantmaking process overseen by an independent advisory board. The Operation Round-Up® program accepts applications from non-profit organizations, school districts, colleges, and governmental entities that have received tax-exempt status from the IRS. Eligible applicants must operate within JCREMC’s service area or its surrounding communities. Applications are accepted twice annually, during two fixed windows: April 1–30 for the Spring cycle, and October 1–31 for the Fall cycle. The advisory board typically reviews applications in the months following each cycle—May and November respectively—and awards are made shortly thereafter. Each applicant may request up to $5,000 in grant funding per cycle. Funds awarded through the Operation Round-Up® program may be used for a variety of projects falling into three core funding categories: Community Service, Education and Youth, and Environment. Examples of eligible initiatives include programs addressing public safety, health, and basic human needs; school enrichment and youth wellness programs; and community-based environmental education or recycling efforts. All proposed programs must serve the broader community’s welfare in a non-discriminatory manner. Evaluation of submitted proposals is based on multiple criteria, including the potential benefit to residents within the JCREMC service area, the number of individuals impacted, the degree of community support for the project, and the organizational and fiscal capacity of the applicant. Emphasis is also placed on projects that can provide measurable and predictable results. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with several supporting documents. These include the organization’s current fiscal year budget, the prior year’s financial statements (preferably an audit if available), proof of IRS non-profit status, and a project-specific one-page budget. If the request involves purchasing specific items, a written vendor quote detailing the items is required. Applications can be submitted electronically via the JCREMC portal or in hard copy by mail or in-person delivery to the JCREMC office in Franklin, Indiana. Questions related to the grant or the application process may be directed to [email protected] or by phone at 317-736-6174. The program is not recurring on a rolling basis but operates on a biannual fixed deadline cycle. All applications must be received by the final working day of April or October for consideration in the respective funding round.