Concern for Community is one of the cooperative principles. In July, Fayette Electric Cooperative, in partnership with CoBank, put that principle to work and made $5,000 donations to two area not-for-profit organizations.
These donations were all made possible through CoBanks’s Sharing Success Charitable Contribution Program, through which CoBank matches a one-time annual donation of up to $5,000 that Fayette EC makes to nonprofit organizations.
The two nonprofit organizations chosen to receive funds from the 2017 grant program are the Navidad Valley Community Connections and the Flatonia ISD Education Foundation.
The Navidad Valley Community Connections will utilize the $5,000 donation for printing brochures and marketing materials for their capital campaign to raise money to fund architect fees and construction costs for a new center that will serve the senior populations in Fayette, Colorado and Lavaca Counties.
The Flatonia ISD Education Foundation will purchase two interactive flat panel systems on trolley stands – one for each campus – with their $5,000 grant monies. “These units are mobile and will be able to be shared and utilized for all grade levels. Teachers can “stream in” instructional materials and display them on the large screen for an entire class to view,” said Beverly Mikulenka, FISD superintendent.
CoBank’s Sharing Success Program was started in 2012 as a way to give back to co-ops and the non-profits they support. Under the program, CoBank allocates $3 million annually to match charitable contributions by cooperatives to nonprofit organizations in their local communities, up to $5,000 per customer.
“CoBank’s Sharing Success Matching Grant Program is designed to celebrate the vital role that our customers play in their communities. Partnering with our customers to support the causes and organizations they care about most is a great way for CoBank to make a positive impact and fulfill its mission of service to rural America,” said Ken Gajdos, Vice President, CoBank Electric Distribution Division.
“The construction of the Navidad Valley Community Connections Senior Center in Schulenburg will benefit people in our service territory, age 60 and older, helping them remain mentally and physically active,” said Gary Don Nietsche, FEC’s general manager.
“The Interactive Boards will give all Flatonia ISD students and teachers the opportunity to access advanced technological systems and to further incorporate technology into the student learning environment,” he added.
About Fayette Electric Cooperative
Organized in 1937, Fayette Electric Cooperative provides reliable, cost-effective service to over 9,580 member’s residences, farms, ranches and businesses in portions of Fayette, Bastrop, Lee, Washington, Austin, Colorado and Lavaca counties. FEC owns and operates 2,876 miles of line and serves over 14,500 meters.
About CoBank
CoBank is a national cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation's rural economy. In addition to serving its direct retail borrowers, the bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving approximately 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.