Major Funding Categories

A. Community Service:

1. Programs, projects and organizations with emphasis on public safety, health care, self-sufficiency, and basic human needs.
2. Programs and projects that enhance the cultural environment of communities in our local area.

B. Economic Development:

1. Programs and projects designed to promote greater economic stability by helping to expand and diversify local economies, with emphasis on business retention and expansion, new business development and tourism.
2. Programs and projects that encourage cooperation among regional and community economic development organizations.
3. Community leadership programs designed to improve problem solving skills and empower people to become self-reliant in identifying solutions to local economic and social problems.

C. Education and Youth:

1. School programs and projects with an emphasis on math and   science education and cooperative educational programs.
2. Programs that are designed to combat critical social problems affecting our children and youth, with an emphasis on children and teens at risk.
3. Programs and projects that promote wellness and encourage youth participation in athletics and physical fitness activities.

D. Environment:

1. Programs and projects that promote community recycling and natural resource preservation.
2. Community-based environmental quality education programs.
3. Environmentally sensitive agricultural research programs and projects.

E. Disaster Relief:

1. Program and projects to provide disaster relief and food, clothing, shelter, clean-up and repairs and reconstruction in an emergency following an accident, a severe storm or other causes.

Geographic Focus

Contributions can be:

1. Focused geographically within the area served by the Cooperative and adjacent areas. Organizations which provide programs and benefits to people who live in this geographic area are eligible for funding consideration, even though the organization is located elsewhere;
2. Restricted to only organizations served by the cooperative
3. Available to any charitable organization regardless of geographic focus

Funding Restrictions

1. Contributions are generally made to non-profit organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(C) (3).
2. Contributions cannot be used to pay Broad River Electric Cooperative bills. 
3. Contributions can be restricted from:

• Lobbying/ political organizations,
• National fund drives;
• Advertising;
• Individual medical expenses to health care facilities;
• Uniforms, personal athletic equipment or general sponsorships for little league and traveling team

Evaluation Factors

A. The following factors can be considered in the evaluation of all funding requests:

1. Potential benefit to area residents and the entire community;
2. Level of community support for the program or project or the organization requesting the funds;
3. Fiscal and administrative capability of the organization to deliver a quality service or program; and
4. Results that are predictable and can be evaluated.