The Great Lakes Energy People Fund is a community grant program supported by member contributions through the rounding up of electric bills. Since its inception in 1999, this initiative has awarded over $5 million to charitable causes across a 26-county service region in Michigan. Operated by Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, the fund channels all collected donations directly back to the community without incurring overhead costs, ensuring 100 percent of the contributions support nonprofit and public initiatives.
The People Fund operates through three distinct regional boards—north, central, and south—each responsible for evaluating applications and awarding grants within their respective counties. The program's purpose is to enhance the quality of life in local communities by supporting projects that promote citizenship, self-reliance, and community development. Grants typically prioritize one-time projects over ongoing operational expenses, and they favor proposals that benefit a broad population, help people in crisis, or expand an organization's service capacity.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) and tax-exempt organizations that provide humanitarian, educational, or community development services within the designated counties. Faith-based organizations may also be eligible if their projects serve all members of the community regardless of religious affiliation. Grants are not awarded to individuals, for normal school operations, endowment funds, political campaigns, or organizations promoting religious doctrine.
The application process includes submitting a letter of interest by April 1 or October 1, followed by a full grant application due by April 15 or October 15. Applications are reviewed by regional boards, which consider the specific project needs and potential community impact. There are no required pre-application steps or concept papers. Selected recipients are notified after board deliberations.
Grants are distributed biannually, and while exact award timelines may vary by region and cycle, the process is consistent in its cadence. Examples of funded projects include technology upgrades for libraries, emergency equipment for rescue teams, and infrastructure improvements for community centers. For questions, applicants can contact Great Lakes Energy at glenergy@glenergy.com or 1-888-485-2537. The program continues to foster grassroots community support by encouraging every co-op member to contribute their spare change for meaningful local impact.
Prioritize one-time projects with high community benefit and potential to leverage outside funding; avoid duplicative or ongoing operational expenses.;
