Jackson EMC Foundation Grant

The Jackson EMC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created to serve members of the Jackson Electric Membership Corporation through the allocation of funds collected from the Operation Round Up program. This initiative allows members to round up their monthly electric bills, and the aggregated donations are redistributed in the form of grants to support charitable activities. The Foundation's governance includes a Board of Directors made up of local community leaders responsible for reviewing applications and awarding funds. The Foundation operates with transparency and has received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid for its open reporting practices. The Foundation's primary objective is to provide grants to nonprofit and community-based organizations that address a variety of social, health, and economic needs in the Jackson EMC service region, which includes Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, and Oglethorpe counties in Georgia. Grants may also be awarded to individuals in those counties for essential needs. Organizations are eligible to receive one grant per year of up to $20,000, while individuals may receive a one-time grant of up to $5,000. To qualify, organizations must have either filed an IRS Form 990 within the past year or submitted audited financial statements from the last 18 months. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate that their programs serve residents within the Jackson EMC service area. An eligibility quiz is the first step in the application process and helps screen applicants to ensure alignment with the Foundation's goals. After passing the quiz, eligible applicants complete an online grant application, which includes providing financial documentation and details about the organization’s mission, staff, leadership, and program strategy. The Foundation reserves the right to request additional clarifications during the review phase, which can take up to four months. The grant application cycle is organized by program category, each with a designated submission window. Applications for Healthcare, Human Services, Mental Health, Crisis Intervention, Crime Prevention, and Legal Services are accepted from August 1 to September 15, with funding decisions announced in December or February. Applications related to Recreation and Camps are accepted between December 1 and January 15, with decisions in April. For Education, Youth Development, and Arts and Culture programs, the application window is February 1 to March 15, with notifications in June. Programs focused on Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition can apply from April 1 to May 15, with responses in August. Lastly, grants for Housing, Shelter, Public Safety, and Disaster Preparedness and Relief must be submitted from June 1 to July 15, with decisions in October. Individual assistance applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Grant funding cannot be used for purposes such as political advocacy, animal welfare, utility payments, or for events and activities that fall within an organization's standard operating budget, such as those provided by schools or preschools. However, school-affiliated programs that go beyond the traditional educational budget may be eligible. National organizations are also excluded unless they directly serve residents within the Jackson EMC area. Applications and all communications must be completed online, and applicants are encouraged to save email correspondence throughout the process for reference. For further assistance or questions about the online application process, applicants can reach out via email to jemcfoundation@jacksonemc.com. The structured review and defined category windows help ensure thoughtful funding decisions while encouraging early submissions within each application window.

Complete eligibility quiz before applying. Submit early within application windows. Save all application-related emails.