Electric Co-op Round-Ups Fund 37 Virginia Nonprofits
Nonprofits across REC's service territory can seek recurring grants funded by members rounding up their electric bills.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Rappahannock Electric Cooperative's Power of Change awarded over $122,500 in member-funded grants to 37 nonprofit organizations serving communities across its Virginia service territory. The latest round supports food insecurity, senior and veteran assistance, youth development, emergency crisis support, and health care.
Why it matters
The grants are funded by members rounding up their electric bills, turning small monthly contributions into a pooled pot for local charities. For Virginia nonprofits, the program offers a recurring funding source tied directly to a utility's customer base.
The 37 awards total over $122,500 drawn from member round-up contributions across roughly 185,000 REC connections in 22 counties. Western-region recipients included Discourse for Debbie - Debbie's Lighthouse and Valleys Rise Above at $5,000 each, with Clarke County Education Foundation receiving $4,500.
The players
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
A member-owned electric cooperative serving roughly 185,000 connections across 22 Virginia counties.
CARE Charity, Inc.
A volunteer-governed board that distributes Power of Change donations to 501(c)3 nonprofits twice a year.
The details
Members participate by rounding up their electric bill to the next whole dollar, and the spare change accumulates into the Power of Change fund. CARE Charity, Inc., a volunteer board, distributes the donations twice a year to 501(c)3 nonprofit charities across the REC service territory. Recipients in the latest round include organizations in Winchester, Front Royal, Berryville, Stanley, and Madison.
Timeline
Fall 2026: latest round of Power of Change recipients announced.
Twice a year: CARE Charity distributes donated funds to nonprofits.
Every month: members contribute by rounding up electric bills.
Market Landscape
Rural electric cooperatives increasingly use customer round-up programs as a local philanthropic channel alongside their core utility operations. The Power of Change model routes member contributions through a volunteer board to 501(c)3 charities across a multi-county service area.
Nonprofits in REC's service territory should review the Power of Change application information to assess eligibility for future rounds. Organizations weighing participation should check the cooperative's published grant criteria rather than assume eligibility.
The takeaway
Community round-up programs turn small recurring customer contributions into a dependable local grant pool. Nonprofits should monitor the fall funding cycle and confirm their eligibility criteria before the next application window.
Further reading
Explore more stories on Philanthropy and how community funding programs support local nonprofits.
More information
Review the Power of Change nonprofit funding application information for eligibility details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Winchester Star.
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