Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative’s Concern for Community Program

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative administers the Concern for Community Grants program as part of its broader commitment to reinvesting resources back into the local communities it serves. As a member-owned electric cooperative, Heartland operates with a mission that extends beyond energy delivery to include community development and infrastructure support. The funding for this program is derived from unclaimed capital credit retirement checks, which represent funds originally intended for cooperative members. By redirecting these funds into grants, the cooperative ensures that the financial benefits remain within the community and support local improvement efforts without affecting electricity rates or future capital credit allocations. The primary purpose of the Concern for Community Grants program is to support capital improvement projects that enhance community facilities and infrastructure within Heartland’s service area. Eligible projects include tangible, one-time investments such as repairs, renovations, lighting upgrades, and HVAC replacements. The program explicitly excludes funding for ongoing operational expenses, ensuring that awarded funds contribute to long-term physical improvements rather than recurring costs. This focus reinforces the cooperative’s goal of fostering sustainable and visible community enhancements. For the 2026 grant cycle, eligibility is intentionally limited due to high demand. Only county fair boards or associations and 4-H groups located within Heartland’s 12-county service territory are eligible to apply. These counties include Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson. This restriction reflects a strategic decision by the Board of Directors to prioritize organizations that play a central role in agricultural education, youth development, and community engagement. Other organization types may become eligible again in future cycles, but they are excluded from the current funding round. The application process is straightforward and designed to be accessible. Applicants must complete and submit an application form through the cooperative’s designated online portal during the open application window. For the 2026 cycle, applications are accepted beginning July 1 and must be submitted by August 15. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers are specified, and the process appears to consist of a single submission step. While detailed application components are not explicitly outlined, applicants are expected to clearly describe their capital project needs and how the funding will be used. Evaluation and selection of grant recipients are conducted by Heartland’s Board of Directors. Although specific scoring criteria are not publicly detailed, it can be inferred that projects are assessed based on their alignment with community benefit goals, feasibility, and adherence to the capital improvement requirement. Because funding is limited and competition is high, applicants should ensure their proposals demonstrate clear community impact and readiness for implementation. The program operates on an annual cycle, with a defined application period each year. While award notification timelines and project performance periods are not explicitly stated, the structured application window suggests a predictable yearly recurrence. Organizations interested in future funding opportunities should monitor announcements from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative and prepare to apply during similar summer timelines. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Doug Graham via phone at 620 724 5526 or through email communication provided by the cooperative.