EQUS
Operation Round Up

 

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2020 Funding Recipient - Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey, funding new mini nets which support the town and surrounding rural community.

Operation Round Up in EQUS Communities:

In being dedicated to the communities we serve, EQUS provides funds through Operation Round Up to organizations and initiatives that support and benefit seniors, youth or children in the rural communities that EQUS serves. We are always looking for great projects to support in our communities!

Members Helping Members:

EQUS is also committed to helping our members. As part of EQUS’ "Members Helping Members" initiative, a portion of the funds collected through Operation Round Up are used to support members who may find themselves facing economic hardship or in financial distress.

How Operation Round Up Began:

In 1989, Palmetto Electric Cooperative in Hardeeville, South Carolina created and registered the Operation Round Up® concept. Palmetto has distributed over $3.8 million in the last 19 years with a steady 82% participation rate. Since 1989, more than 225 U.S. electric co-operatives initiated similar programs. Recipients of funding are rural focused charities, organizations and projects that can clearly demonstrate the need for that rural support. EQUS is the first co-operative in Canada to obtain permission to use the trademarked name and implement an Operation Round Up program.

Operation Round Up at EQUS

EQUS is proud to be able to say that 97% of our members participate in Operation Round Up. EQUS members' distribution tariffs are simply ‘rounded up’ to the next highest dollar and the average annual contribution by an EQUS member to the Operation Round Up program is about $6. While it is technically ‘small change’, it can and does build a funding program that can give back to the communities we all call home. As of January 2023, Operation Round Up has disbursed a total of over $400,000 since it began in 2016. Money that will stay in EQUS communities and help to serve our rural members.

How to Apply

The priority areas for applications are projects that positively impact children, youth and seniors living in the rural areas that EQUS serves. Applicants are required to submit an application outlining the project and goals for approval by the Operation Round Up Committee and then complete a report on the project results to obtain the complete funding. The goal of the fund is to provide a one-time or limited-time investment into an initiative that clearly exhibits the benefits of the project. Operation Round Up does not fund day-to-day operating expenses. Applicants must represent organizations, projects or initiatives that will benefit EQUS members in communities within the EQUS Service Area.

Organizations can apply for funding up to $5,000, once each year. Applicants may only apply for funding once each application cycle. Applications not approved in one cycle may be resubmitted for consideration in a subsequent cycle.

For more information please contact Jillian Tabbert-Friendship, Executive Assistant at 403.227.4011 ext.117 or by email at Roundup@equs.ca

 

DOWNLOADS

To begin your funding application, download our application and guideline PDF documents.

Download Application Form OR Apply Online Here
Application Guidelines (PDF)


Operation Round Up funds purchased equipment and activities for kids at ABC Playschool

Funded Programs

Operation Round Up funds are distributed on a quarterly basis. The Operation Round Up Committee allocated a total of $61,954 to 17 organizations serving our communities in 2022.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING RECIPIENTS:

Funded Organizations in 2022

Funds Allocated

Sundre Municipal Library

$5,000

Interlake Golden Age Society

$2,245

Rosebud Community Centre

$1,500

Didsbury Elks

$2,649

Mountain View Community Adult Learning Services

$3,000

Linn Valley Community Association

$4,750

Alberta Beach and District Ag Society $5,000
Sundre Aquaplex $5,000
ABC Playschool $1,790
Etzikom Recreation Association $5,000
Innisfail Community Facility Enhancement Association $5,000
Camp Nakamun $5,000
Innisfail Curling Club $4,880
PAST RECIPIENTS OF OPERATION ROUND UP FUNDING INCLUDE:
  • ABC Playschool
  • Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre
  • Barrhead District 4-H Club
  • Barrons Eureka Warner FCSS
  • Blindman Valley Lions Club
  • Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie
  • Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer
  • Busby School
  • Butt Ugly Anti-Tobacco Program Society
  • Calgary Reads
  • Camp HeHoHa
  • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Southern Alberta
  • Carstairs Library
  • Cherhill Gold and Silver Seniors Club
  • Chinook's Edge School Division
  • Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce Society
  • Cottonwood-Gordon Ag Society
  • Cremona School Enhancement Society
  • Crossroads Ag Society
  • Dare to Care
  • Darwell Betterment Association
  • Didsbury Library
  • Dunstable School Council Society
  • Easter Seals Alberta
  • The Educational Partnership Society
  • Etzikom Museum and Historical Windmill Interpretive Centre
  • Foothills Special Needs Association for Parents and Siblings
  • Fort Macleod Kids First Family Centre
  • Forty Mile Regional Family and Community Services
  • Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society
  • Gull Lake Centre
  • Hays Community Centre
  • Innisfail Curling Club
  • Innisfail Public Library
  • Innisfail Seniors Drop-in Society
  • Interlake Golden Age Society
  • Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta
  • Joslyn Snow Memorial Committee
  • Journeys Therapeutic Riding Society
  • kcs Association
  • Kids Help Phone
  • Lake Isle Farmer's Association
  • Lakewell 4-H Club
  • Magnolia Community Club
  • Manyberries Community Association
  • Nanton Curling Club
  • Nanton Quality of Life Program
  • Oklahoma Community Association
  • Olds High School
  • Onoway and District Agricultural Society
  • Onoway Ball and Soccer Association
  • Onoway Curling Association
  • Onoway Golden Club
  • Parkland Brain Injury Association
  • Penhold Seniors Drop-In Centre
  • Ponoka Youth Centre Association
  • Poplar Ridge School
  • Raymond and District Futures Society
  • Red Deer College
  • Relay Education
  • Rimbey Family Community Support Services
  • Rimbey Jr./Sr. High School
  • Rimbey Ladies Auxilliary
  • Rimbey Municipal Library
  • Rowan House Society
  • Sheep River Health Trust
  • Stettin Nakamun Hall
  • Sundre Municipal Library
  • Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Association
  • Taber Child Care Society
  • Taber Exhibition Association
  • The Town of Sylvan Lake FCSS
  • The Lending Cupboard
  • Town of Didsbury
  • Town of Innisfail
  • Wabamun and Area Medical Society
  • W.A. Day School
  • Westglen School
  • West Sturgeon Agricultural Society
  • Youth Empowerment and Support (YES) Program

Frequently Asked Questions

For members:

 
Operation Round Up funds helped Boys and Girls Club purchase a trailer to bring equipment and programs into rural communities.

 

 
Operation Round Up funds helped Sundre Family and Community Services bring art to seniors.

How do I participate?
If you are an EQUS member, no action is required on your part. Effective April 2016, EQUS members (current and new) are automatically enrolled in Operation Round Up. Operation Round Up contributions will be listed as a separate line item on your EQUS electric bills. For example, if your distribution tariff (your distribution rate plus your transmission rate) is $90.55, your bill will be rounded up to $91. The monthly member contribution averages around $6 per year.

Why did EQUS decide to do this?
Based on the numerous success stories in the U.S. and recognizing that rural Alberta residents and organizations have unique needs; EQUS determined Operation Round Up would be an efficient way to engage members and the organization to provide support for rural initiatives. If all EQUS members participate in Operation Round Up, we have the potential to contribute over $65,000 annually to rural initiatives that help children, youth and seniors.

What happens to the money that is collected?
The collected funds are put into an independent account and disbursed through a grant process. A committee meets quarterly to review and approve applications. All administration for Operation Round Up is performed by designated EQUS employees and only out-of-pocket expenses by committee members are covered by the fund (e.g., travel cost to a meeting or to review a project’s progress). All successful recipients will be required to complete a report at the end of their project to confirm objectives were achieved. Annually, a report on Operation Round Up will be provided to EQUS members.

Who is on the committee?
The committee is comprised of five individuals: the EQUS CEO, one Director and three EQUS members in good standing who have some demonstrated experience in working with charitable organizations.

What if I don’t want to participate?
If you decide that you wish to be excluded from participation in Operation Round Up, simply contact our Corporate Office and let us know. Within five days of receipt of your request to be excluded, your participation will be cancelled.

What if I decide to re-join?
If you feel you opted out of Operation Round Up too soon, simply contact our Corporate Office and we will confirm you participation.

 

 

 

The Operation Round Up Committee is made up of EQUS members!

 

Operation Round Up requires EQUS members as volunteers for two-year terms. Committee members are responsible for the quarterly review of funding requests and distribution of funds. To be eligible to sit on the Operation Round Up Committee applicants must:

  • Be an EQUS member in good standing
  • Have some previous experience with reviewing projects and applications 
  • Possess the ability to provide un-biased representation for the entire EQUS Service Area

 

If you are interested in becoming a committee member, download the application PDF document below.

Operation Round Up Committee Member Application (PDF)

Members are free to purchase electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit http://www.ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310.4822 (toll free in Alberta).

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