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Operation Round-Up
In March 2006, the Itasca-Mantrap Board of Directors authorized the formation of Operation Round Up®. Itasca-Mantrap's Operation Round Up Program joins 28 other Minnesota electric cooperatives that participate in this program. These 28 cooperatives have distributed grants to local non-profit organizations totaling nearly $5 million.
Operation Round Up® is funded by voluntary contributions.
Itasca-Mantrap Members are automatically enrolled in the program unless they notify our office that they do not wish to participate in Operation Round Up.
Your monthly billing statement is rounded up to the next whole dollar amount. This amounts to a few cents each month. The most any one account could contribute is three cents per day or $11.88 for the entire year. On the average, most Members will contribute quite a bit less. If you have more than one account, you can choose to have one, all, or none of them on Operation Round Up®.
This contribution is tax deductible, and the amount donated is shown on monthly bills. The money collected from Member contributions will be kept in a separate Trust account.
It’s your choice… If you do not wish to contribute, just call us at 218-732-3377 or toll free at 1-888-713-3377 and tell us that you wish to opt out of Operation Round Up®.
Operation Round Up Trust Board:
The Operation Round Up® Trust Board is separate from the Itasca-Mantrap Board of Directors. Seven local people were appointed to the Operation Round Up Board of Directors. Twice a year, they will review applications for grants and disburse the funds. Trust Board Members are Iva Thielges, John Strom, Karen Andress, Kathy Grell, Dan Paulson, Katherine Kueber, and Arthur D. Yliniemi.
Application Guidelines and Process:
Operation Round Up Grant Application Form
Grants will be awarded to non-profit or community-based organizations that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region. Contributions will be distributed primarily in the local area served by Itasca-Mantrap. Projects should fit one or more of these categories: Community Service, Education, Youth, Community Economic Assistance and the Environment.
Grants will not be made for lobbying, political and religious organizations, veteran, fraternal and labor organizations, fund raising dinners, raffles, capital fund campaigns, advertising or ongoing operational expenses.
Applications for the Trust are available at Itasca-Mantrap's office or may be downloaded here. The application deadline is October 15 and April 15 each year. Shortly after those dates, the Operation Round Up Trust Board will review the applications received and authorize disbursements to organizations that meet the qualifications according to the Bylaws of the Operation Round Up® Trust. After opening the grant application, you can fill it out on the screen, click the print button at the bottom, sign it and mail it to the address at the bottom of the application.