People Fund Grants

The People Fund Grant Program is administered by Great Lakes Energy, a member-owned electric cooperative that serves communities across a 26-county service area. The program is funded through voluntary contributions from cooperative members who elect to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. Since its establishment in 1999, the program has generated more than $5 million in funding for local charitable initiatives. The fund operates with no overhead costs, ensuring that all collected contributions are returned directly to communities in the form of grants. Oversight and grantmaking decisions are carried out by three independent boards representing the north, central, and south regions of the service area. The primary purpose of the People Fund Grant Program is to enhance the quality of life for residents within the cooperative’s service area. It supports nonprofit organizations that provide humanitarian, educational, or community development services. The program prioritizes projects that produce tangible community benefits, particularly those that address immediate needs, strengthen local capacity, or improve access to essential services. A portion of funding may also be directed toward organizations assisting individuals or families experiencing crisis situations. Funding is generally intended for one-time projects or initiatives rather than ongoing operational expenses. Eligible uses include projects that benefit a large number of people, leverage additional funding sources, expand organizational capacity, or deliver direct assistance to individuals in need. Conversely, the program does not fund routine operational costs such as salaries, travel, rent, or planning expenses. It also excludes support for fundraising activities, political campaigns, loans, endowments, deficit reduction, retroactive projects, and scholarships. Faith-based organizations may apply only if the funded project serves the broader community without requiring religious participation. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, including those recognized under 501(c)(3) status, operating within the defined service area. Organizations must demonstrate that their proposed project aligns with the program’s goals and provides measurable community impact. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as the extent to which the project promotes good citizenship, enhances self-reliance, supplements existing initiatives, avoids duplication of services, and fosters collaboration among organizations. The application process includes a two-step submission structure. Interested organizations must first submit a letter of interest by April 1 or October 1. Full grant applications and all required supporting documentation must then be submitted by April 15 or October 15. Each regional board reviews applications within its jurisdiction and makes funding decisions based on local priorities and needs. While specific award timelines are not explicitly stated, the structured deadlines indicate a biannual review cycle. The program operates on a recurring basis with two funding cycles annually. Although exact award amounts and the number of grants are not specified, the program’s emphasis on community impact and efficient use of funds suggests a competitive review process. Applicants are encouraged to present clearly defined, high-impact projects that demonstrate community benefit, financial leverage, and organizational readiness. For additional information or application access, organizations may contact Great Lakes Energy directly via email or phone as listed on the program website.

Focus on one-time high-impact projects that benefit large populations, demonstrate collaboration, and avoid duplication of services