The Roundup for Safety Board awarded $23,500 in community safety grants to nonprofit organizations at its August 11 meeting, including a $6,500 grant requested by Bigfork ACES.
The Roundup for Safety Board awarded $23,500 in community safety grants to nonprofit organizations at its August 11 meeting, including a $6,500 grant requested by Bigfork ACES.
Bigfork ACES is an after-school and summer childcare program dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children of Bigfork, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. Director Cathy Hay explained to the Board that free and reduced lunch students in Bigfork Schools qualify for little or no tuition fees at ACES, which is open every day that Bigfork Schools are open, and hosts camps throughout the summer. ACES has been in business for 10 years.
ACES requested assistance in building a fence at its new location. Hay stated, “We recently moved – we purchased the former Bigfork Senior Center building, and we’re thrilled to be there. It’s our forever home! However, the front yard desperately needs fencing to be safe for our kids.”
The grant will help construct a fence around the front yard of the Commerce Street location, directly across the street from the Bigfork Schools. The front yard has a 6-foot drop to the very busy road and currently is unusable because of safety concerns.
Before approaching the Roundup for Safety Board, ACES secured a $1,000 donation in cedar fencing and a commitment for $1,000 in volunteer labor. Parents and community members have also agreed to help construct the new fence. The Board noted the collaborative community approach with approval.
Other projects funded during the August meeting included:
- Bigfork Soccer Club – AEDs, pediatric/adult pads, with storage – $3,500
- Kalispell Student Built Homes – scaffolding – $10,000
- Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation – safety netting – $3,500
Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Flathead Electric Cooperative members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next dollar, with the extra money going into a fund for community safety projects proposed by nonprofit organizations and considered by an independent board.
Since 1997, members of Flathead Electric Cooperative have rounded up their bills to a total of $4,522,592 in community safety project funding.
Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Co-op members who round up their electric bills to the next dollar. This money is managed by an independent board and goes into a fund for community safety projects.
The Roundup for Safety Board will consider May applications through May 31 and vote on them at its June 8 meeting. If your nonprofit is interested in applying for community safety funds, visit our Roundup for Safety page or call the Roundup for Safety Board Liason:
