Tipmont awards grants to six nonprofits

Next applications for Operation Round Up funds due April 1, 2013; open to nonprofits in several Indiana counties

Linden, Indiana – February 7, 2013 – Tipmont REMC’s latest round of grants brings to more than 500 the total number it has awarded since it began two programs, one in 1999 and the other in 2001.

The current round, from its Operation Round Up program, awards $14,359 to six area nonprofit organizations.

The American Red Cross chapter serving Montgomery and Fountain counties is receiving $2,000 to purchase food and supplies for disaster victims. Other Montgomery County agencies receiving funds are the Angel Blankets Chapter of Binky Patrol, $4,000 to purchase batting to make quilts for children in crisis, and Darlington Forever Inc., $2,190 to purchase replacement windows for the Darlington Community Center.

In Tippecanoe County, nonprofits receiving grants are:

·                     Family Promise of Greater Lafayette, $3,015 to purchase baskets of household items for families in transition;

·                     Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers Council, $1,750 to purchase books for the First Book program to give to children enrolled in Head Start;

·                     Wabash Center, $1,404, to purchase benches and planter boxes for a new garden area, where those served by Wabash Center will learn to grow their own vegetables.

“Our Operation Round Up program facilitates giving to worthy community projects,” said Tim McCarthy, chief executive officer. Some 9,000 Tipmont REMC members participate in the program, which rounds up their bills to the next highest dollar, with the overage going to the Operation Round Up fund.

Grants are made to qualifying 501(c)3 groups from any counties served by Tipmont, which primarily include Fountain, Tippecanoe and Montgomery, and also parts of Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clinton and White counties.

Since Tipmont launched Operation Round Up in 1999, it has awarded 403 grants totaling $832,139.50.

A volunteer board administers the funds; Tipmont REMC contributes administrative costs.

Tipmont also contributes to the community through its EnviroWatts green power program, which funds environmental projects. The two funds combined have awarded 502 grants totaling $1,242,863.50 since they began.

The application deadline for the next Operation Round Up giving cycle is Monday, April 1, 2013. Nonprofit organizations in Tipmont’s service area who are interested in applying for funds may obtain an application online at www.tipmont.org or call 1-800-726-3953.

Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Linden, Tipmont REMC is a member-owned cooperative providing electric service to some 21,000 members, primarily in Tippecanoe, Fountain, and Montgomery counties as well as portions of Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clinton and White counties.

Tipmont is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service and dedicated to serving members with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.