In partnership with CoBank, Western Cooperative Electric provides grant opportunities for local nonprofit organizations.
Applications for the 2025 cycle will be accepted Jan 1, 2025, through July 1, 2025. The Western Board of Trustees will review the applications and select the winners at the July Board Meeting. Grants will be presented in August/ September.
Those interested in applying for grant funds can submit an electronic application by clicking the 'Apply Now" button found at the bottom of the page.
Contribution Request Amount
Western will award 1-4 grants totaling $20,000. The minimum request is $2,000. The CoBank’s Sharing Success program is competitive on a first-come-first-serve basis, and funds are limited; therefore, Western Cooperative Electric is not guaranteed the full amount of granting dollars.
Eligibility
In general, contributions to any 501(c)(3) charity are eligible. Select organizations that are not designated a 501(c)(3) may also be eligible. These organizations include schools and government organizations such as counties or municipalities and their agencies or departments, as long as the donation serves a public purpose. Organizations that are political in nature, limit their activities based on religious affiliation or discriminate do not qualify.
Organizations in Western Cooperative Electric’s service territory, which includes areas in the counties of Barton, Ellis, Ellsworth, Graham, Lincoln, Gove, Ness, Osborne, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, and Trego, will receive priority.
There is little restriction on the type of projects that can apply. Western just asks that your project be community-oriented and serve a public need.