Operation Round Up®

Operation Round Up® Tops $1 Million in Donations

We’re proud to report the special Stearns Electric Association member program called Operation Round Up® has reached a milestone having distributed over $1,000,000 to local
non-profit organizations and community service programs since its inception in 1993.
 

Some of the major categories Operation Round Up has donated to
since its inception in 1993:

  $258,000 to Area Food Shelves
  $147,000 to Health Care Programs
  $125,000 to Community Programs
  $123,000 to Youth Programs
  $101,000 to Fire Departments
  $89,000 to Sports and Recreation
  $59,000 to Emergency Responders
  $46,000 to Parks and Environment
  $32,000 to Senior Citizen Programs
 $32,000 to High School Chemical-free Lock-Ins
              
             Note: Funding numbers are approximate.

Operation Round Up is a charitable giving program unique to electric cooperatives that is designed to provide financial donations to worthwhile community programs. Funds are collected by rounding up member's electric bills to the nearest dollar.

From serving the disabled, to helping area youth and supplying much-needed emergency equipment to volunteer first response medical teams, Operation Round Up has helped enhance the lives of many in the six counties served by Stearns Electric Association.

“The Operation Round Up program shows the Cooperative spirit of members helping members,” said Stearns Electric Association General Manager Rick Banke. “The generosity of Cooperative members has truly made a difference in Central Minnesota.”

The small change that’s gathered from participating members rounding up their electric bills, amounts to big change for community programs and projects. Members who choose not to take part, may withdraw by simply notifying the Cooperative of their decision at any point.

With over 72% of our members participating (each donating an average of 40 cents a month), the trust board is able to donate approximately $95,000 in total grants each year.

The program is operated by the Stearns Electric Association Trust Board, a separate non-profit organization run by nine Stearns Electric Association members who act as trustees. The trust board meets three times a year to review applications and award grants. All decisions for donations are made by the trustees and are totally separate from the Stearns Electric Association Board of Directors. Trustees on the Round Up Board serve a maximum of 6 years.

Operation Round Up Links

Funding guidelines
View grant application
View the most recent Operation Round Up recipients
Current ORU Trust Board Members
Questions? Contact us by e-mail

Additional donations
Members who would like to donate more to the program may do so: checks can be made payable to the “Stearns Electric Association Trust Fund” and can be sent to: Operation Round Up, C/O Michelle Christiansen, 7341 Old Hwy. 52, St. Cloud, MN 56303.