Grant applications are accepted twice a year during the months of February and August, and are reviewed and rewarded by the Community Trust Committee in May and November. 

Coast Electric's Board of Directors select a nine-member Community Trust Committee. Each board member nominates one trust committee member. Trust committee members must be members of Coast Electric and serve three, one-year terms. They are not able to serve more than three consecutive terms. 

The trust fund is set up to represent the members of Coast Electric, and funds are collected through Operation Round Up. The mission of the trust is to award money contributed by Coast Electric members through Operation Round Up to worthwhile, charitable and educational causes that improve the quality of life in our community. Member contributions to the trust are administered by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. 

Based on the Community Trust guidelines, nonprofit, community, volunteer, educational or civic organizations that generally qualify as exempt under 501(c)(3) may apply for grants. Grant applications are available online only in February and August. We cannot accept any applications mailed in or dropped off at any Coast Electric or Gulf Coast Community Foundation location. 

If you have questions about the application process contact the Gulf Coast Community Foundation at (228) 897-4841.

Although there are many worthy charitable and educational projects and community needs in our local area, the limited availability of funds requires us to establish funding priority categories. Funds will be used for the greater good of our communities for organizations or charities who align with Coast Electric’s mission, culture and values.

Funding priorities include but are not limited to projects that focus on the following: 

Community Service:

1. Programs, projects and organizations that are important components of a community’s overall quality of life.
2. Programs and projects that enhance the cultural environment of communities in our local area.

Economic Development:

1. Programs and projects designed to promote greater economic stability by helping to expand and diversify local economies and promote tourism.
2. 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.

Education and Youth:

1. Schools served by Coast Electric may apply for grants for programs/projects that benefit students/teachers.
2. Programs that are designed to combat critical social problems affecting youth.
3. Programs and projects that promote wellness and encourage youth participation in athletics and physical fitness activities.

Environment:

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

Energy Assistance:

Share Your Blessings – an energy assistance program established through Coast Electric to help Coast Electric members in need.

Contributions will only be made to support bona fide charitable, nonprofit organizations and activities that align with Coast Electric's culture and values.

Contributions generally will not be made for:

• Lobbying or political issues or campaigns
• Fund-raising dinners, raffles and other events
• Individuals
• Capital fund campaigns
• National fund drives
• Advertising
• Internal payroll expenses of an organization
• Operating expenses

Organizations that receive grants are required to share information and results with Coast Electric. We will share Operation Round Up success stories on this site, on our social media accounts, in Today in Mississippi magazine, in our annual report and at our Annual Meeting. 

Yes. Share Your Blessings continues to be part of Coast Electric's community outreach programs, with 25% of Operation Round Up contributions funding the Share Your Blessings program. United Way of South Mississippi manages the funds while Catholic Charities of South Mississippi administers the funds to members in need. Learn more here. 

We hope that you see the benefits of Operation Round Up for our communities and will want the program to have as much positive impact as possible. However, if you do not feel this program is to your benefit, we have made opting out simple. Contact a Coast Electric member service representative at 877-769-2372 or complete the opt-out form.

Members who opt out can always decide to contribute again later. New members will be automatically enrolled but will have the opportunity to decline participation.