Many people giving a little to help a lot is key to the philanthropic efforts of electric cooperatives across Colorado.
Each of the 22 electric co-ops in Colorado has some type of charitable giving program that best matches the geographic area and membership needs, co-op communication managers said.
The founding mission of electric cooperatives was to provide electrical service where electricity was lacking, so giving back to serve unmet needs in the community is bedrock for not-for-profit electric co-ops. Concern for Community is one of the seven principles of co-ops.
Assistance with a turkey collection drive to support a local food pantry at Thanksgiving is just one example of the many co-op giving programs, in this case at Mountain View Electric Association. Photo courtesy of Mountain View Electric.
“We were formed because people in rural areas needed electricity,” noted Paris Daugherty, communications manager at San Isabel Electric Association. “Our co-op community donation programs are following that original co-op mission. We are bringing services, programs, and events to rural areas that wouldn’t be possible without the help of our community donation program.”
Much of co-op charitable giving is funded from small donations from consumer-members who choose to give pennies a month through a program called Operation RoundUp®. Some co-ops donate using funds remaining in unclaimed capital credits.
The variety of projects, events, or nonprofit organizations supported through the combined charitable giving efforts are as broad as Colorado is wide. At San Isabel Electric alone, during 2023, the co-op donated $83,711 to 63 community projects or groups. Some of the charitable projects included parks or art restoration, town or county fairs, volunteer fire department fundraisers, Santa gift tree programs, rodeos, library programs, school supplies, baseball team uniforms, a community center oyster fry, and a youth fishing derby.
Co-ops not only help with money; employees also donate work hours at community events — including helping at school special events, hosting a BBQ for neighbors at a mobile home park, or reading to elementary school kids in local schools’ classrooms.
Multiple co-ops have unique programs tailored to their communities. The Empower Grant Program in its fourth year at Poudre Valley REA, for example, supports education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math for K-12 classrooms across the co-op’s Northern Colorado service territory.
Grand Junction-based Grand Valley Power employees select a local nonprofit to help through a community impact project, and currently that supports Go Baby Go, a collaborative effort between Colorado Mesa University engineering students and Family Health West. Go Baby Go provides mobility solutions for children with disabilities by modifying small electric cars the youngsters can drive.
Grand Valley Power employees select a nonprofit to help through a community impact project, which currently supports Go Baby Go, a collaborative effort between Colorado Mesa University engineering students and Family Health West. Go Baby Go provides mobility solutions for children with disabilities by modifying small electric cars the children can drive. Photo courtesy GVP.
Other co-ops donate turkeys to a local food pantry at Thanksgiving, collect for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive, or pack bags of oatmeal for hungry families through Spark the Change.
“All of these programs combine to illustrate our concern for our members while being a positive impact for our service territory,” said Erica Meyer, community relations specialist at Mountain View Electric Association near Colorado Springs.
Operation RoundUp allows co-op members to voluntarily opt in to round up their bill to the next highest dollar amount to support co-op charitable giving. The average Operation RoundUp amount is $6 per member per year; yet combined, the program supports hundreds of projects.
“You might not think that’s a lot, but truly when everyone comes together, you really see the ability to bring a bigger force of good to support the community,” said Grant Winger, executive director at grant recipient Fresh Start Center that helps with hunger and poverty in Colorado Springs.
A longstanding Operation RoundUp facilitator, Mountain View Electric has raised more than $3.3 million through the program since 1999; almost 50% of the co-op’s 56,000 members choose to round up, Meyer said. Mountain View members who have suffered from loss, personal disaster, or medical emergencies may apply directly for assistance through Operation RoundUp.
“It just makes a huge impact in our service territory both for members and nonprofits servicing our territory,” Meyer said.
Jessica Quintana, community and member relations administrator at Poudre Valley REA, said Colorado co-ops enjoy spreading love and support to the communities.
“We have a great focus on supporting organizations that make a big impact on our community to benefit our members,” Quintana said. “Each co-op gives in our own ways that are beneficial for the areas we serve, and we take pride in supporting our members.”
Suzie Romig is a degreed, award-winning journalist who lives near Steamboat Springs and has lived, worked, and explored in Colorado since 1990.
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