Small contributions make a big difference.
In 2004, Cotton Electric Cooperative began the Operation Round Up program and established the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation.
Operation Round Up is a program designed to provide financial assistance to worthwhile individuals and organizations. Under the program, voluntary contributions from participating co-op members are collected when their monthly bills are "rounded up" to the next highest dollar. For example, if a member's bill is $49.77, the bill is rounded up to $50.00. The additional 23 cents is then deposited to the Operation Round Up fund.
The average yearly contribution from each participating cooperative member is about $6. The most a member would contribute each year is $11.88 and the least is 0 cents. Plus, contributions are tax deductible and participation is voluntary. The monthly collection of small change has had a big impact. Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation has awarded or pledged grants totaling $1,654,479.80 since the foundation was established.
The funds collected by the Operation Round Up are administered by the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation and its five directors. The CECF board meets and discusses applications quarterly.
The deadline for fourth quarter applications is December 5, 2025. Applications received after that time will be saved for first quarter of 2026 consideration.
To apply, visit www.cottonelectric.com/grant-applications.
All Operation Round Up funds are placed in trust and administered by the Cotton Electric Charitable Foundation Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of the CEO of Cotton Electric Cooperative, the President of the Board of Trustees of Cotton Electric Cooperative and three individuals from the service area. All five members serve on a voluntary basis. The Board of Directors receives and evaluates all requests for funds and determines how they will be distributed.
Cindy Zelbst serves as the board's president. She lives in Meers.
Carter Waid serves as the board’s vice president. He is a banking executive from Waurika.
Polly Krasser serves as the board's secretary/treasurer. She lives in the Chattanooga area.
Brian DeMarcus, president of the Cotton Electric Board of Trustees, serves as a director. He is a banker who lives in the Meers area.
Jennifer Meason, CEO of Cotton Electric Cooperative, Inc., serves as a director and lives near Walters.