Great Lakes Energy People Fund Grants – April 2027

Up to $10,000 for Community Projects in Great Lakes Energy’s Michigan Service Area

The Great Lakes Energy People Fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations and charitable groups working to improve quality of life in communities served by Great Lakes Energy in Michigan.

Funded through voluntary contributions from Great Lakes Energy members who round their electric bills up to the next dollar, the People Fund supports community projects addressing education, economic development, recreation, health and human services, and other local needs.

Grant requests generally range from $5,000 to $10,000, with a maximum award of $10,000.

Organization: Great Lakes Energy
Program: People Fund
Support Type: Charitable grants
Geographic Focus: Great Lakes Energy service area in Michigan
Typical Funding Range: $5,000–$10,000
Maximum Grant: $10,000
Next Application Deadline: April 1, 2027

About the Funder

Great Lakes Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving communities across Michigan.

The People Fund is supported through Great Lakes Energy’s Operation Round Up program. Participating members voluntarily round their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, with the additional funds pooled to support charitable organizations and community projects.

Grantmaking decisions are made by an independent People Fund Board of Directors.

What This Program Supports

The People Fund considers grants for charitable projects that benefit Great Lakes Energy members and communities.

Priority areas include:

Education

Programs and projects that expand educational opportunities and strengthen learning within local communities.

Economic Development

Projects that support economic opportunity and strengthen the long-term vitality of communities.

Recreation

Community recreation projects and programs that improve access to recreational opportunities and enhance local quality of life.

Health & Human Services

Programs providing healthcare, human services, basic needs, and other support to individuals and families.

Community Development

Projects designed to improve communities and provide broad public benefit.

The People Fund Board evaluates requests based on community need and the potential benefit to Great Lakes Energy members.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants generally include:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Charitable organizations
• Community organizations and groups
• Other eligible organizations proposing projects with a charitable purpose

Projects must benefit individuals and communities within the Great Lakes Energy service area.

Organizations do not necessarily need to receive electric service from Great Lakes Energy themselves, but the people benefiting from the proposed project must reside within Great Lakes Energy’s service territory.

Geographic Focus

This opportunity is limited to projects benefiting people within Great Lakes Energy’s Michigan service area.

Great Lakes Energy serves portions of numerous counties across western and northern Michigan.

Applicants should be prepared to identify:

• The counties served by the proposed project
• The cities, villages, or townships served
• The percentage of beneficiaries who are Great Lakes Energy members

Organizations whose projects serve both Great Lakes Energy members and people outside the service territory should clearly document the portion of the project benefiting eligible communities.

Funding Amount

💰 Typical Request: $5,000–$10,000
💰 Maximum Grant: $10,000

The People Fund generally considers grant requests within this range.

Applicants should provide a detailed project budget and identify other sources of funding supporting the project.

Funding Preferences

Competitive requests should:

• Address an identifiable community need
• Benefit Great Lakes Energy members
• Provide meaningful and measurable community impact
• Demonstrate appropriate planning and budgeting
• Clearly explain how People Fund dollars will be used
• Show support from other funding sources when appropriate

The People Fund may provide partial funding rather than the full amount requested.

Ineligible Requests

The People Fund does not generally provide funding for:

• Political organizations or campaigns
• Religious organizations when funds will primarily benefit members of a particular church or denomination
• Individuals
• Utility bills
• General operating expenses
• Salaries
• Scholarships
• Fundraising events
• Advertising
• Travel expenses

Applicants should review the current program guidelines before submitting a request.

Timeline & Review

Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed quarterly.

📅 Next Application Deadline: April 1, 2027

Additional quarterly deadlines generally occur throughout the year.

Applications received after a quarterly deadline may be held for consideration during the following grant cycle.

Applicants should submit requests well in advance of when funding is needed.

Application / Request Process

Organizations must complete the Great Lakes Energy People Fund grant application.

Applicants should be prepared to provide information including:

• Organization and contact information
• Tax-exempt or charitable status
• Description of the proposed project
• Community need being addressed
• Number of people expected to benefit
• Counties and communities served
• Estimated percentage of beneficiaries who are Great Lakes Energy members
• Amount requested
• Complete project budget
• Other sources of project funding
• Timeline for completing the project

Applicants should clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit Great Lakes Energy members and communities.

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://www.gtlakes.com/people-fund/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity may be particularly relevant for organizations that:

• Serve rural communities in western or northern Michigan
• Have a project benefiting Great Lakes Energy members
• Need between $5,000 and $10,000
• Work in education, economic development, recreation, health, human services, or community development
• Can demonstrate direct and measurable local impact
• Have a defined project rather than a request for ongoing operating expenses

The People Fund’s community-focused structure makes it particularly relevant for local and regional nonprofits serving rural Michigan communities within Great Lakes Energy’s electric service territory.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Next Deadline: April 1, 2027
Typical Grant Range: $5,000–$10,000
Maximum Grant: $10,000
Geography: Great Lakes Energy service area in Michigan
Review Type: Quarterly
Best Suited For: Local and regional nonprofits providing community-based programs and projects benefiting Great Lakes Energy members