Grants of up to $10,000 to Southwest Oklahoma nonprofit organizations in the funding source's service area and grants of up to $2,500 to individuals in the funding source’s service area to benefit communities and provide financial assistance. Eligible communities are located in Stephens, Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, Tillman, Grady, and Carter Counties. Preference will be given to programmatic requests.
Categories of Assistance:
1. Communities
-Programs, projects and organizations that are important components of a community’s overall quality of life, with emphasis on public safety, health care, self-sufficiency, and basic human needs.
2. Education and Youth
-Programs and projects designed to combat critical social problems affecting youth, particularly children and teens at risk.
-Programs and projects that promote youth wellness.
-Programs and projects that work to provide supplemental materials and equipment for schools.
-Programs and projects to enhance school facilities.
3. Seniors
-Programs and projects to support organizations and the facilities serving senior citizens.
4. Volunteer Fire Departments
-Programs and projects to enhance volunteer fire department facilities and vehicles.
-Equipment and gear purchases and upgrades.
5. Individuals
-An individual or family in need of assistance may request a grant. Examples of need conditions may include the consequences of a disaster, catastrophic illness, or permanent disability.
-Individual applications must include a letter of referral from a sponsoring group such as a church, civic organization or other group wanting to raise funds for the individual.
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
The Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation (the “Foundation”) provides funds for Charitable purposes within the service area of Cotton Electric, Inc. (CEC). More information about CEC's service area may be found here: https://www.cottonelectric.com/content/about-cec
Applicant Eligibility
1. Contributions will generally be made only to not-for-profit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service; and to civic-based entities.
2. The organization must contribute to the community’s health and/or welfare.
3. The organization’s services must be non-discriminatory in nature.
4. Activities affiliated with a religious organization with a secular community designation are eligible for the Foundation’s consideration of support. A secular designation is defined as an organization separate from the church or religious organization that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. (Example: A food bank that is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from a church and provides food and meals to anyone who qualifies for services, regardless of religious belief.)
The Foundation will not consider requests for the benefit of an individual or family unit unless the application includes a letter from a sponsoring group. Grants will be issued to the sponsoring group.
The Foundation will not consider requests for general operating funds, capital campaigns or support for salaries.
Pre-Application Information
New Requirement: All applications for grants benefitting schools require the signature of the school superintendent. This includes applications submitted by booster clubs, parent-teacher organizations and other school-related groups, teachers and principals. This requirement was established to ensure coordinated communication on projects that fit a school district’s priorities.
Individual applications MUST include a letter of referral from a reputable service agency or nonprofit organization.
Grant applications are reviewed quarterly. Applications are to be received in the CEC offices by the close of business 14 days before the quarterly meeting of the Foundation board of directors.
First-quarter applications are due Feb. 28. Second-quarter applications are due May 23.
Estimated Size of Grant
Grants to any group, organization, charity or similar organization will not exceed $10,000 and grants to individuals will not exceed $2,500.
Term of Contract
Whenever possible, requests for funding should be for projects that will be completed within 12 months following the Foundation’s approval of the grant application.
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