New Grant Offered Through Midwest Community Fund

Midwest Energy’s Community Fund received a $5,000 “Sharing Success” grant from CoBank on Jan. 23rd. Midwest Energy has matched that grant, and working with the Heartland Community Foundation has created a $10,000 charitable fund to assist non-profit organizations.

Midwest’s Community Fund donates roughly $50,000 twice yearly, in the spring and again each fall. The new fund, administered by the Heartland Community Foundation, will make 10 additional $1,000 grants to local 501c3 organizations in 2013, using the same application and allocation criteria as the Midwest Community Fund.

To apply for one of the grants, an organization must be local, and serve a specific project in Midwest Energy’s service area. Midwest requires that the organization or a third party donor match the grant, thus creating a $2,000 award to the project.“Midwest Energy would like to thank CoBank for making these funds available, and Bob Lowen and the Heartland Community Foundation for their willingness to work with us by establishing this fund,” said Bob Muirhead, Midwest Energy’s Director of Economic and Community Development. “CoBank is one of two lenders used by Midwest Energy, and their generosity helps us support the good work non-profits do in our communities.”

Non-profits are encouraged to submit applications using the existing Midwest Energy Community Fund form, available online at www.mwenergy.com/comm-fund.aspx. The application deadline for the spring 2013 disbursement is March 1, 2013.  Applications are reviewed by one of five local Midwest Energy Community Fund customer committees, with disbursements in April.For more information about the Midwest Energy Community Fund, or questions about the grants, contact Bob Muirhead at 785-650-2502, or via e-mail.