Concern for Community

It’s one of our guiding cooperative principles – Concern for Community – and now, more than ever, the concern for the communities we serve is high. A couple of generous programs have allowed McDonough Power Cooperative to provide financial assistance to organizations in our area.

One of McDonough Power’s most unique and exciting community programs is the CoBank Sharing Success program, a matching grant opportunity which benefits local nonprofit organizations. Aimed at supporting local communities and people, the grant is made possible by our board of directors, in partnership with CoBank – a national nonprofit cooperative bank owned by the rural American cooperatives it services. This year they are providing up to $10,000 in matching grants to four organizations designated by the Cooperative.

Recipients of this year’s Sharing Success grants include Western Illinois Regional Council – Community Action Agency, Jamieson Community Center – Food Pantry, The Crossing Church – Food Pantry, and McDonough Power Cooperative Cares – Coats for Kids. Each organization received $5,000 – that’s $2,500 from CoBank as well as the $2,500 match from McDonough Power.

“Rural communities and cooperatives like McDonough Power are lucky to have the generous support of CoBank and we are thankful for the contributions enabling us to help make our communities a better place to live and work,” said Kelly Hamm, McDonough Power Energy Services Manager.

“CoBank and McDonough Power have partnered in the Sharing Success matching grant program every year since 2012,” says McDonough Power president and CEO Mike Smith. “This grant program is a testament to CoBank and McDonough Power’s commitment to the communities and people that we serve.”

McDonough Power Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up program has also been assisting community organizations since its inception in 2016. This program is funded by you, our members, by simply allowing your bill to be rounded-up to the next dollar each month. That’s less than $12 per year per member, but adds up in a big way.

Recipients of the latest round of Operation Round-Up funding include:

• Warren Achievement Center in Monmouth received $2,500 for their Achiever Medical Fund.
• Western Illinois Regional Council received $1,000 towards a technology upgrade for their new location.
• Mosaic received $2,000 towards a much-needed bathroom remodel in one of their group homes.

Thanks to you Operation Round-Up has provided nearly $110,000 in grants since 2016! Why is this commitment to community so important to us? We know that everyone benefits from a stronger community. Helping our neighbors is part of what McDonough Power has always been. As a member, you can take pride in that.

For more details on the Operation Round-Up program visit us at www.mcdonoughpower.com. The next round of funding is set for July; the application deadline is Monday, July 6.