Beatrice Lang
Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit electric power supplier headquartered in Keystone Heights, Florida. The cooperative has a long history of supporting charitable and community service organizations, including children's programs, food banks, and scouting. In 2016, Clay Electric implemented Operation Round Up, a program that rounds up participating members' bills to the nearest dollar, with the tax-deductible amount going to the Clay Electric Foundation. The foundation uses these funds for charitable purposes, such as providing grants to organizations addressing community needs and improving the quality of life in the counties served by Clay Electric. Operation Round Up is a voluntary program, and members can opt out at any time.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Clay Electric's charitable mission
Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit electric power supplier that is incorporated, member-owned, and democratically organized and controlled by those it serves. It has a long history of supporting charitable and community service organizations, from children's programs and athletic organizations to food banks and scouting.
The Clay Electric Foundation is a charitable organization set up to represent the members of Clay Electric and collect funds through Operation Round Up for charitable purposes. Operation Round Up is a program that rounds up each participating member's bill to the nearest dollar, and that tax-deductible amount is donated to the Clay Electric Foundation. The average amount donated by any given member is just $0.50 per month, with a maximum of $11.88 per year.
The mission of the Clay Electric Foundation is to distribute the money collected through Operation Round Up to worthwhile charitable and educational purposes that will improve lives and respond to immediate needs within the counties where the cooperative provides electric service. This includes the 15 counties served by Clay Electric: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Union, and Volusia counties.
The Foundation approves grant applications from organizations for various purposes, including cemetery restoration, food banks, support for abused and neglected children, school programs and scholarships, disaster relief, and more. By the end of 2024, Clay Electric had helped almost 340 organizations by providing them with $7.32 million in grants through Operation Round Up.
Get Hired as an Instrument Electrical Apprentice
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How Operation Round Up works
Clay Electric has a long history of community involvement and support for charitable and community organizations, including children's programs, shelters for battered women, food banks, and scouting. Operation Round Up is an extension of this commitment. The program "rounds up" each participating member's bill to the nearest dollar, and this tax-deductible amount is donated directly to the Clay Electric Foundation. The average donation is just $0.50 per month, with a maximum of $11.88 per year.
New Clay Electric members are automatically signed up for Operation Round Up but are given the opportunity to decline participation (opt-out). They receive a letter explaining the program and a form to include in their bill if they wish to opt out. This intensive communication campaign ensures members understand what Operation Round Up is and why it is being implemented.
The Clay Electric Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization representing Clay Electric members and the funds collected through Operation Round Up for charitable purposes. The foundation's mission is to distribute money to worthwhile causes that will improve lives and respond to immediate needs within the counties where the cooperative provides electric service. Organizations that seek funding must complete a grant application, which is reviewed by the Foundation board.
The funds collected through Operation Round Up have a significant impact on the community. For example, in December 2023, the Clay Electric Foundation approved six applications totalling $54,800 in grants. This included funding for the Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida, which provides food security across eight counties, and the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, which aim to prevent delinquency and develop lawful, resilient, and productive citizens.
Executioner's Role in Electric Chair Executions Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Opting out of the program
Clay Electric's Operation Round Up is a voluntary program that allows members to contribute to charitable and community service organizations. The program is designed to address charitable needs and provide financial assistance to improve the quality of life in the communities served by Clay Electric. While the program is voluntary, members are automatically enrolled and must opt out if they do not wish to participate.
Opting out of the Operation Round Up program is straightforward. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Contact Clay Electric Cooperative: You can reach out to Clay Electric Cooperative directly to express your desire to opt out of the program. You can contact them through their website, by phone, or by visiting their office during business hours.
- Submit an Opt-Out Request: Clearly state that you no longer wish to participate in the Operation Round Up program and request to be removed from the list of participating members. You can submit this request in writing, via email, or by filling out an online form, depending on the options provided by Clay Electric Cooperative.
- Provide Necessary Information: When submitting your request, ensure you provide your full name, account number, and any other relevant information that can help identify your membership or account details. This will help expedite the process and ensure your request is accurately processed.
- Follow-up: After submitting your request, you may want to follow up with Clay Electric Cooperative to confirm that your opt-out request has been received and processed successfully. This can be done by contacting their customer service or member support team through the available channels.
- Review Your Billing Statements: After opting out, review your subsequent billing statements to ensure that the changes have taken effect and that your bills are no longer being rounded up. This will confirm that your opt-out request has been implemented correctly.
It is important to note that opting out of the Operation Round Up program will not affect your electric service or any other services provided by Clay Electric Cooperative. The program is entirely voluntary, and members have the freedom to choose whether or not to participate.
Understanding Your Electricity Usage: A Calculative Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grant application process
Clay Electric's Operation Round Up is a program that allows members to contribute to their community by rounding up their bills to the nearest dollar, with the additional amount going to the Clay Electric Foundation, a charitable organization. The foundation aims to improve the quality of life in the 15 counties served by Clay Electric by providing grants to various programs and organizations.
The grant application process for Operation Round Up is as follows:
The grant application process for Operation Round Up appears to be managed by the Clay Electric Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to distribute money collected from Clay Electric members through Operation Round Up to charitable and educational purposes that align with the cooperative's values and improve lives within the served counties.
Eligibility: To be eligible for a grant, organizations must be based in one of the 15 counties served by Clay Electric: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Flagler, Gilchrist, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Union, and Volusia counties. Eligible organizations include nonprofits, community-based or volunteer groups, educational institutions, civic organizations, shelters, and hospitals.
Application Process: Organizations seeking funding must complete a thorough grant application. The applications are reviewed by the Foundation board, which may request additional information or determine if site visits are necessary. The specific application form and guidelines are not publicly available on the Clay Electric website, so interested organizations should contact the Clay Electric Foundation directly to obtain application information.
Grant Decisions: The Clay Electric Foundation approves multiple grants each month, with grant amounts varying based on the needs and scope of the projects. The Foundation has approved grants ranging from $3,000 to $15,000, with monthly totals reaching up to $94,200 in March 2025.
Types of Projects Funded: The types of projects funded by Operation Round Up grants vary but align with the program's goal of improving the quality of life in the community. Examples of funded projects include:
- Supporting children's programs, such as the Snack Pack Child Feeding Program, which provides food for children over the weekend.
- Funding educational initiatives like school bands, athletic programs, and literacy and counseling services.
- Providing disaster relief, food banks, and support for basic human needs, including assistance with bills and rent costs.
- Improving public safety, healthcare, and self-sufficiency within the community.
Setting Up Polytape Electric Fences: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grant recipients
Clay Electric's Operation Round Up program has been in place since 2016. The program "rounds up" each participating member's bill to the nearest dollar, with the tax-deductible amount going directly to the Clay Electric Foundation. The average donation is just $0.50 per month, with a maximum of $11.88 per year. The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to improve the quality of life in the fifteen counties served by Clay Electric Cooperative.
The Clay Electric Foundation has approved numerous grant applications each year, totalling nearly $7.32 million in grants to almost 340 organizations by the end of 2024. The grants support a wide range of programs, projects, and organizations, including:
- Community service organizations: Grants have been awarded to organizations such as the Woman's Club of Keystone Heights, which supports the local community in various ways, including through the revitalization and restoration of its club building.
- Food banks and hunger relief: The Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida received funding for its Snack Pack Child Feeding Program, providing food for children over the weekend. Other grants have supported organizations like God's Kitchen, which provides hot meals to homebound adults, and Hunger Fight, Inc., which works to end hunger and illiteracy by providing meals and books to those in need.
- Children's programs: Grants have supported organizations like Voices for Children of the Suwannee Valley, which provides direct support to abused and neglected children, and the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida, which offers a safe and fun environment for young people to thrive. Funding has also been provided for school scholarships and educational programs, including the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy, which empowers youth through leadership and mentoring.
- Health care: Grants have been awarded to organizations providing health care services, such as the Florida Center for the Blind, which offers rehabilitative training and intervention services to individuals with visual impairments, and Wheelchairs for Kids, which provides wheelchairs and other assistive equipment to children with physical disabilities.
- Housing and homelessness: Organizations like Habitat for Humanity, which helps low-income families obtain affordable housing, and Vineyard Transitional Center, which provides temporary housing and essentials to homeless individuals, have received grants.
- Emergency and disaster relief: The American Red Cross of Northeast Florida received funding for its Home Fire Campaign, providing critical services to those impacted by home fires.
- Arts and culture: The Art League of North Florida, which develops programs and services that serve the needs of artists and promotes visual arts in education, was a grant recipient.
These grants have made a significant impact in the communities served by Clay Electric Cooperative, addressing a range of needs and improving the quality of life for many.
Electric Ripstik: How Fast Can You Go?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Operation Round Up is a program that rounds up each participating member's bill to the nearest dollar, with the tax-deductible amount going to the Clay Electric Foundation. The Clay Electric Foundation then distributes this money to charitable and educational organizations.
The goal of Operation Round Up is to address the charitable needs and provide financial assistance to improve the quality of life in the counties Clay Electric Cooperative serves.
With 89% of Clay Electric's members participating in the program, an average of $75,000-$80,000 a month is contributed to the Clay Electric Foundation, amounting to more than $900,000 annually.
The Clay Electric Foundation supports nonprofits, community-based or volunteer organizations, educational institutions, civic organizations, shelters, and hospitals.
Organizations must complete a thorough grant application, which is reviewed by the Foundation board. The board may request additional information or determine if personal visits are necessary for fact-gathering.
