Riverland Energy Cooperative – Community Cares Grants (February 2027 Deadline)
Community Grants Supporting Public Safety, Basic Needs, Healthcare, and Youth Programs in Western Wisconsin
Riverland Energy Cooperative’s Community Cares Program provides grants to nonprofit organizations and community projects that improve quality of life within the cooperative’s western Wisconsin service territory.
Funded through voluntary contributions from Riverland Energy members, the program supports local initiatives addressing public safety, healthcare, self-sufficiency, basic human needs, community leadership, and social challenges affecting young people.
Applications are reviewed twice annually, with confirmed 2027 deadlines of February 11 and August 12.
Next Application Deadline: February 11, 2027
Organization: Riverland Energy Cooperative / Riverland Community Cares Foundation
Support Type: Cooperative-sponsored community foundation grants
Geographic Focus: Riverland Energy Cooperative service territory, western Wisconsin
Funding Amount: Varies by project
About the Funder
Riverland Energy Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility headquartered in Arcadia, Wisconsin, serving approximately 17,500 members across western Wisconsin.
The cooperative operates the Community Cares Program to strengthen the communities where its members live and work.
Through this initiative, participating members voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. The additional contributions are directed to the Riverland Community Cares Foundation, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization that administers local charitable grants.
The program reflects the cooperative principle of Concern for Community and demonstrates how small individual contributions can collectively support meaningful community improvements.
Since the program began in 2014, Riverland Energy members have helped fund local fire departments, first responders, food pantries, youth organizations, and other community initiatives.
What This Program Supports
Community Cares grants support nonprofit programs, projects, and organizations that improve local quality of life.
The program emphasizes six funding priorities.
Public Safety
Projects that strengthen public safety and emergency response capabilities.
Examples may include:
- Volunteer fire departments
- First responder organizations
- Emergency medical services
- Community safety initiatives
- Equipment and resources supporting emergency response
Healthcare
Programs that improve access to healthcare services or address local health-related needs.
Potential projects include:
- Community health initiatives
- Emergency medical services
- Health-related nonprofit programs
- Activities improving community wellbeing
Self-Sufficiency
Initiatives that help individuals and families become more independent and financially stable.
Projects may address barriers to self-sufficiency or provide resources that help residents meet essential needs.
Basic Human Needs
Programs providing essential assistance to individuals and families experiencing hardship.
Examples may include:
- Food pantries and food shelves
- Hunger relief programs
- Essential community services
- Assistance addressing basic living needs
Community Leadership
Initiatives that strengthen community participation, volunteerism, and local leadership.
Projects should demonstrate a meaningful benefit to the broader community.
Youth & Social Issues
Programs addressing social challenges affecting children and young people.
Examples may include:
- Youth mental health awareness
- Youth development programs
- Community-based youth services
- Initiatives addressing social and emotional challenges
The Foundation prioritizes projects that provide tangible benefits to residents within Riverland Energy’s service area.
Eligible Support Types
Community Cares funding may support:
- Community-based nonprofit programs
- Specific local projects
- Public safety and emergency response initiatives
- Healthcare-related community services
- Food security and basic needs programs
- Youth-focused initiatives
- Projects that strengthen local community wellbeing
Grant requests should clearly demonstrate how the proposed activities will benefit the cooperative’s local communities.
Eligibility & Preferences
Funding is generally awarded to organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Applicants should:
- Serve residents within Riverland Energy Cooperative’s service territory
- Demonstrate a clear community benefit
- Address one or more of the program’s funding priorities
- Submit a completed grant application
- Explain how the proposed funding will improve local quality of life
Annual Funding Limitation
An organization may receive only one Community Cares grant per year.
Geographic Preference
The Foundation prioritizes organizations and projects benefiting members and communities within Riverland Energy’s service area in western Wisconsin.
Organizations located outside the service territory should demonstrate how their activities directly benefit eligible communities.
Ineligible Requests
Unless a project provides a broader community benefit, the Foundation generally does not fund:
- Lobbying activities
- Political organizations or activities
- Religious organizations or activities
- Veterans organizations
- Fraternal organizations
- Fundraising dinners, raffles, or events
- Capital fundraising campaigns
- Scholarship programs
- National fundraising drives
- Advertising
- Payment of individual cooperative members’ utility bills
Some requests involving these categories may be considered when they demonstrate a clear benefit to the overall community.
Applicants should review the Foundation’s guidelines before applying.
Funding Amounts
Riverland Energy does not publish a standard minimum or maximum grant amount.
Awards vary depending on available contributions, the number of eligible applications, and community needs.
Examples of previous Community Cares grants include:
- $700 to Arcadia Ambulance Service
- $250 to C-FC Area Food Shelf
- $250 to Trempealeau County Humane Society
- $250 to Friendship First Foundation
These examples illustrate the program’s emphasis on smaller, locally focused grants.
Grant amounts may vary between funding cycles.
Timeline & Review
📅 Spring Application Deadline: February 11, 2027
📅 Spring Funding Decisions: Approximately March 2027
📅 Fall Application Deadline: August 12, 2027
📅 Fall Funding Decisions: Approximately September 2027
Review Period: Approximately one month after each application deadline.
The Riverland Community Cares Foundation reviews applications twice annually.
Decisions regarding grant applications are made within approximately one month after the respective deadline.
Organizations may receive only one Community Cares grant per year.
Applicants who miss the February deadline may apply during the August funding cycle.
Application / Request Process
Organizations must complete the Community Cares Grant Application available through Riverland Energy Cooperative.
Applicants should:
- Review the Foundation’s funding priorities and eligibility guidelines.
- Download the grant application from the Community Cares website.
- Describe the organization, proposed project, and community need.
- Explain how the project benefits residents within Riverland Energy’s service territory.
- Identify the funding requested and intended use of grant funds.
- Submit the completed application according to the instructions provided by Riverland Energy.
Applicants may also contact the cooperative for application assistance.
Apply / Learn More: https://www.riverlandenergy.com/community-cares-program
Application Questions: jlien@riverlandenergy.com
Phone: 800-411-9115
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
The Riverland Community Cares Program is particularly well suited for organizations that:
- Serve communities within Riverland Energy’s western Wisconsin service territory
- Operate food pantries or basic needs programs
- Provide volunteer fire, ambulance, or first responder services
- Address youth mental health and social challenges
- Support community healthcare or safety
- Need modest funding for a specific local project
- Can demonstrate direct benefits to cooperative members and their communities
The program is especially relevant to smaller, community-based nonprofits and volunteer organizations whose projects may not require large grants but can make a meaningful local difference.
Unlike many larger corporate grant programs, Community Cares is funded directly by participating cooperative members, creating a strong connection between local charitable giving and community needs.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Next Application Deadline: February 11, 2027
Second 2027 Deadline: August 12, 2027
Application Frequency: Twice annually
Review Period: Approximately one month after each deadline
Funding Amount: Varies; historically modest awards
Funding Source: Riverland Energy Cooperative member contributions
Grant Administrator: Riverland Community Cares Foundation
Geographic Focus: Western Wisconsin, Riverland Energy service territory
Best Suited For: Local nonprofits, food pantries, first responders, youth programs, and organizations addressing basic community needs