Polk-Burnett is pleased to provide financial support to community programs through Operation Round-Up. Funding for the program is donated by member-owners of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, who round their monthly electric bill up to the next even dollar amount. The monies are combined and grants are awarded quarterly by a committee of Polk-Burnett members.
Operation Round-Up Grant Application & Instructions | Operation Round-Up Grant Winners
How does it work?
Simply put, Operation Round-Up gathers contributions from co-op members by rounding up their monthly electric bill to the next highest dollar. For example, if your July bill is $78.33, Polk-Burnett would round it up to $79.The additional 67¢ would go to the Operation Round-Up fund.
How much do members contribute?
Monthly contributions per member average 50 cents, for a yearly average donation of $6 per member. It's small change, but if all Polk-Burnett members joined, we could round up about $100,000 a year to help our neighbors in need.
What will the money be used for?
Operation Round-Up funds are used for local projects such as fire fighting equipment for volunteer fire departments, life-saving equipment for ambulance or rescue squads, hospice programs, youth programs, food shelves and health services. Donations are not limited to these categories, nor are they limited to members of the electric cooperative. However, Operation Round-Up funds may not be used for political purposes or to pay electric bills. View the grant application for complete details.
How do co-op members participate in Operation Round-Up?
New members of Polk-Burnett Electric Co-op are automatically enrolled in Operation Round-Up and will have their monthly electric bill rounded up to the next even dollar amount. The program is voluntary, so if you’d like to opt out, please call our billing department, 800-421-0283, ext. 335.
Current members, who would like to participate in Operation Round-Up, may call 800-421-0283, ext. 335. Simply ask to join the program, and we’ll begin rounding up your monthly electric bill in support of this community service program.
All contributions are tax deductible.
Who administers the fund?
Nine community residents, they can be members or non-members of the co-op, are appointed to the Operation Round-Up board by Polk-Burnett's board of directors to evaluate requests for Operation Round-Up funds and determine how the money will be distributed.
Citizens appointed to the Operation Round-Up board have a strong concern for their community and possess a desire to see that help is provided where it will do the most good. Operation Round-Up board members volunteer their time and, except for mileage reimbursement, receive no pay or compensation for serving on the board.
More about Operation Round-Up
Electric cooperatives across the United States have been offering this program since 1989 to help co-op members reach out to worthy causes in their community and work together to help others.