Community Education Grants - Flathead Electric Cooperative

What are Community Education Grants?

Occasionally, Flathead Electric Cooperative becomes aware of educational projects on a scale that may positively impact many members. If your organization has an idea for an education project with a significant community impact, please reach out to the Community Education Grants liaison to share an overview.

If you are aware of a community safety project in need of funding, please explore our Roundup for Safety grants.

If you are seeking general sponsorship support or a small donation, please visit our Donations & Sponsorships page.

How are Community Education Grants funded?

As a not-for-profit, member-owned co-op, Flathead Electric’s business model means that when it generates more revenue than is needed to operate, that excess money is allocated back to its members as ‘capital credits.’ Each year, some of these capital credits go unclaimed, usually because members move away without updating their mailing addresses. When capital credits remain unclaimed for five years, Montana law permits the funds to be used for educational purposes.

Over the years, unclaimed capital credit dollars have provided education-related opportunities for thousands of members. Some projects include funding over $117,000 in scholarships to local students attending Montana colleges, providing opportunities for students to participate in the annual Washington D.C. Youth Tour, and offering support for large-scale community education projects via Community Education Grants.