Requirements
BEK Communications Cooperative believes that supporting community projects and organizations throughout our service area is just common sense. To formalize this commitment, the BEK Board of Directors created the Community Partnership Program (CPP). This program provides grant funding to tax-exempt, non-profit organizations, addressing both the current and future needs of the communities we serve. To be eligible for CPP grant funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization located within the five-district Cooperative Service area.
Funding must benefit communities within the BEK Cooperative Service area.
Organization must either subscribe to BEK Internet or Phone Services within the Cooperative Service area (or) the organization’s registered address must be a Cooperative customer residing within the Cooperative Service area.
Information
Eligibility
Programs/Projects not eligible
Annual appeals or membership drives
Capital debt reduction
Individuals or for-profit organizations
Political projects
Religious groups for religious purposes
Retroactive funding for any project expense is incurred before the decision date
Project Focus
Community owned or non-profit businesses (café, grocery store, motel, other).
Community facilities (ambulance services, fire districts, recreation, hospital/clinic, community center, senior center, etc.)
Community based or non-profit projects (school/youth projects, other).
Application Deadlines
Applications are due twice each year in March and September.
March 31 for April Board review
September 30 for October Board review
Awards
The Board of Directors may award up to $15,000 in Community Partnership Program grants after each application period.
Grant awards will be announced and dispersed in April and October of each year. Applicants will be notified in writing of the funding decision.
If your application is approved, the grant check will be made out to the organization and will be presented 2–4 weeks after notification. If awarded a grant, you may be asked to have your picture taken for the BEK newsletter and/or local newspaper.
Grant Funding Option 1
Grant applications for less than $1,000 have no matching obligation.
A completed application form detailing the planned use of the grant funds must be submitted for review and approval by the BEK Board of Directors. Requests which do not address the specific information requested will not be considered.
A project cannot receive more than one grant during a 12-month period or for the same project/purpose.
Grant Funding Option 2
Grant applications for $1,000 or less have a matching obligation of $4 for every $1 grant dollar awarded by the board.
