The Flint Energies Foundation has reached a new milestone in grants to organizations throughout Middle Georgia. The Foundation has given more than $4 million to help people across the region since its founding in 2001.
“It’s rewarding to see our members, especially children, benefit from the grants that the Flint Energies Foundation makes,” said Kathy Waites, Chair of the Foundation. “Participating Flint members who allow the co-op to round up their bills every month are doing much more than they realize. Those few cents can change lives and do extraordinary things in our communities.”
Grants have been donated to numerous volunteer fire departments, police departments, schools, agencies for the disabled, youth programs and charitable organizations like Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Special Olympics and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Bright Ideas teacher grants and college scholarships are also given by the Foundation. In 2016, $80,000 was given for the first time in GED, technical college and 4-year college/university scholarships from the fund. In total 1,025 grants have been given to more than 530 organizations.
“Operation Round Up has made a favorable impact on the communities we serve. It not only benefits Flint members but residents in the 17 counties we serve,” states Marian McLemore, Flint’s Manager of Public Relations.
In 2001, Flint Energies adopted this uniquely simple and rewarding way to enable members to raise money for local charities and service organizations - Operation Round Up®. The electric cooperative’s members contribute nearly $200,000 annually to the Flint Energies Foundation, which supports worthy causes in the 17 counties it serves. Operation Roundup® is a way for members to add voluntarily to those funds in their own unique way.
Participating members allow Flint Energies to “round-up” their bill to the nearest dollar. For example, if a bill is $92.71, a member will pay $93, with all 29 cents going directly to the Flint Energies Foundation. On average, a member will contribute $6 a year, but never more than $11.88. If a member decides not to participate or chooses to discontinue contributions at any time, they may simply contact Flint Energies. Nearly 65% of Flint’s members have chosen to participate. Donations to Operation Round Up® are tax deductible and members receive a summary of contributions in future January and February bills.
The Flint Energies Foundation Board of Directors disburses all contributions to approved, worthy projects. Member contributions are not used for administration costs. The Foundation is a state-chartered, non-profit, 501(c) foundation. Foundation Board members include Chairman Kathy Waites, Fort Valley; Vice Chairman Joanne Hamlin, Lizella; Treasurer Connie McCutchen, Midland; Sara Mitchem, Kathleen; Charles Harrison, Grovania; Pat Bartness, Warner Robins; George West, Kathleen; John Luppino, Warner Robins; Rudy Killingsworth, Buena Vista; Eloise Doty, Butler and Betty Chase, Oglethorpe.
Palmetto Electric Cooperative in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, began Operation Round Up, in 1989. Since that time, more than 200 other electric membership cooperatives nationwide have chosen to adopt the program. Funding applications are available by contacting Flint Energies at 1.800.342.3616 or visiting the My Community section of www.flintenergies.com.