Operation Round Up

Operation Round Up is a simple, low-cost way Cass County Electric Cooperative members can give back to the community.

Since 1993, Operation Round Up has donated over $4.5 million to local individuals in need and nonprofit organizations right here in southeastern North Dakota through our members' generosity. Members' contributions go towards improving the lives of others.

Members helping members.

For less than $1 per month, you can make a difference in your community. Participation is voluntary: your monthly electric bill is rounded up to the nearest dollar, an estimated average of $6 per year. You will see a summary of contributions on your January electric bill.

A volunteer board meets quarterly to distribute the funds, which are used primarily within Cass County Electric Cooperative's service area for charitable, educational, environmental, and emergency assistance purposes. The funds will never be used for political purposes or utility bills.

33

years of donations

More than

$ 4

million dollars donated

65

organizations awarded funds in 2025

Application

Service Area Map

2025 Recipient List

Director Application

Grant Guidelines

Geographical Eligibility

Individual/Family and emergency applications – primary residence address must be within the geographic area served by Cass County Electric Cooperative Inc.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit organizations – providing services or programs to residents and communities within the geographic area served by Cass County Electric Cooperative Inc.

General Eligibility

The request should fit in one or more of these categories:

• Individual/family with an emphasis on health care, self-sufficiency.

• Nonprofit organizations (community, civic, educational) that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the area.

• Nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or public charitable status.

• The organization's services must be non-discriminatory.

• Community service programs/projects emphasize the overall quality of life, public safety, health care, and general welfare.

• Education and youth programs with an emphasis on leadership/math/science/arts, training opportunities, reading programs, promotion of wellness/well-being, and combating critical social problems.

• Expenses related to a specific program, project, or equipment needs with predictable results and can be evaluated.

• Grant dollars will be distributed primarily in the local area served by the Cooperative and adjacent regions. Organizations that provide programs and benefits to people who live in this geographic area are eligible for funding consideration, even though the organization is located elsewhere.

• Funding can not be used for on-going operational expenses such as internal payroll expenses (wages, insurances, taxes), building rent, utility bills, etc.

• Maximum grant: $7,500

Emergency assistance with emphasis on food, clothing, shelter, and medical needs:

• Maximum grant: $1,000

Individual/family:

• Specific use of funds

• Other forms of assistance or aid requested, whether received or denied

• References

• Financial need/condition

• Maximum grant: $2,500-$7,500 depending on the number of individuals in the household

Requirements

• A cover letter summarizing the purpose of the request, impact of activities, and brief organization information (limited to two (2) pages)

• Completed application form (all sections of the application form must be completed) Note: applications received with attached sheets in lieu of completing any section will not be accepted

• Submit a copy of the IRS tax-exempt letter, if appropriate

• Additional information (limited to 2 pages)

• Each application will be considered quarterly. Board meetings are held in March, June, September, and December. Funds are disbursed a few days after the meetings are held. (A check will be mailed) Emergency assistance applications for individuals will be processed as received.

• An organization is allowed approved expenditure every 12 months.

Limitations

Contributions will generally not be made for:
• Lobbying, political, and religious organizations
o Religious organizations, unless the project benefits the community at large (such as all youth or all elderly residents), is not limited to members of that denomination, and have no political focus. Example: meals provided to all people regardless of religious beliefs.
• Fraternal and labor organizations
• National or capital fund drives
• Community foundations, unless funding is designated for a specific project
• Organizations: on-going operational expenses.
o Operating costs may include, but are not limited to: employee wages and benefits, rent, utilities, and facility expenses, general office and administrative expenses, technology and software, insurance, professional services, vehicle and transportation expenses, general program administration, fundraising and marketing expenses, training and professional development, banking and financial fees, organizational memberships and dues, and other routine expenses associated with maintaining and operating the organization.
• Individuals/families/organizations: electric utility bills (defined as conflict of interest)

Evaluation Factors

The following factors will be considered when evaluating funding requests:
• Availability of funds
• Potential benefit to area residents and the community
• Geographic area served
• Level of community support for the program or project of the organization requesting the grant
o Additional fundraising efforts
• Administrative capability of the organization to deliver quality service or programming
• Results that are predictable and can be evaluated
• Local scout and youth programs will receive priority over state or national funding
o Lower priority is given to applicants with taxing authority.
• Priority given to organizations with low administrative costs
• Individual/family:
o specific use of funds
o other forms of assistance or aid requested, whether received or denied
o references
o financial need/condition
Foundation directors are responsible for evaluating funding requests and allocating contributions in alignment with the purpose and intent of these guidelines.

Program Questions

Nonprofit organizations can apply by filling out the form found in the application link above. There are dropboxes within the form to upload the required documents.
Deadline to apply: Applications must be submitted by the 15th of the month prior to the next meeting for consideration. The Operation Round Up board meetings are held in March, June, September, and December.
Completed applications will be reviewed by the volunteer Operation Round Up board, and funding decisions will be made based on project needs and availability of funds.
Individual and emergency funding applications may be requested by contacting us.

The geographic area is defined as Cass County Electric Cooperative, Inc. service area, including all or part of Cass, Barnes, Traill, Richland, Ransom, Sargent, Dickey, LaMoure, Steele, and Stutsman counties of North Dakota.

The volunteer board is made up of 7 members- one member from district 1, one member from district 2, one member from district 3, three members from district 4, and one member at large. They meet quarterly to review applications and distribute funds.

Qualifications for board members—at least 18 years of age, a permanent resident of the county they are applying for, good moral character, and a member of Cass County Electric Cooperative.

If you are interested in joining our board, please fill out this application and submit it here.

Operation Round Up