Operation Round Up®: Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the program work?
2. If I have several accounts, will each one be rounded up?
3. What if I can't or don't want to participate in this program?
4. What are some possible uses for this fund?
5. Who decides who gets the funding?
6. Who can apply for funding?
7. How does the application process work?
8. How much money can our organization request?

1) How does the program work?
Each month, members who wish to participate will allow LaGrange County REMC to automatically round up electric bills to the next highest dollar. For example, if the is $68.20, this amount would be rounded up to $69.00. The extra 80¢ would be put in the LaGrange County REMC Operation Round Up® Fund. The cost to you, the member, will be less than $1.00 per month and will average $6.00 a year per member. Now that doesn't sound like a lot of money, but if all our members participated it would be over $35,000 per year. Think about the good we could do, for just a few cents per month.

2) If I have several accounts, will each one be rounded up?
Any participation from our members is appreciated. However, if you would like only one of your accounts rounded up, just give us a call and let us know.

3) What if I can't or don't want to participate in this program?
We realize not everyone will be able to or have a desire to participate in this program. If this is the case, simply contact LaGrange County REMC at (260) 463-7165 and we will no longer collect Operation Round Up® funds from your account(s).

4) What are some possible uses for this fund?
Projects that Operation Round Up® can help with include volunteer organizations, charitable groups, or community projects. This fund is designed to meet the needs of people, which aren't being met through other agencies.

5) Who decides who gets the funding?
Operation Round Up® will have its own seven member Advisory Board. The Board will be made up of a LaGrange County REMC Board Member, three community members and three LaGrange County REMC employees. These individuals will be selected by the Board of Directors of LaGrange County REMC. The Advisory Board will receive no compensation for their service. The primary duties of the Advisory Board are to evaluate applications made to the program and make recommendations to the LaGrange County REMC Board of Directors on how to best distribute the money.

6) Who can apply for funding?
Any organization that is seeking to fulfill a need to the residents of LaGrange County may apply for funding. Funding will not be considered for the support of a candidate for political office or any other political purpose.

7) How does the application process work?
An application can be picked up at the LaGrange County REMC office or one can be requested by phone or email or downloaded from the LaGrange County REMC website. The basic information required by the application are financial statements for the organization, a list of references, and a cover letter detailing the reasons for the request and the proposed use of funds. The Advisory Board will meet quarterly to review funding requests. The respective due dates for applications for the quarterly meetings are January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st. The Advisory Board will review applications and make recommendations for funding based on merit and whether the proposal is receiving any other sources of funding. Based on those recommendations, the LaGrange County REMC Board of Directors will then authorize checks to be issued to the organization. Also, LaGrange County REMC may request follow-up information demonstrating how the money was used.

8) How much money can our organization request?
LaGrange County REMC will give no more than $5,000 to any single organization in one calendar year. Additionally, an application to request funding may only be submitted once a year.