Cloverland Cares

Cloverland Cares logo

Cloverland Cares is a bill round-up program to generate funds to contribute back to the communities served by Cloverland Electric Cooperative. Launched in 2020, Cloverland Cares is a separate non-profit foundation with a mission to support school meal programs, food banks and scholarships. 100% of funds stay local to the Eastern Upper Peninsula and are divided equally among the cooperative’s three districts.

Cloverland members can opt-in to round up their monthly bill payments to contribute in four ways:

  • Round up each bill to the nearest dollar (averages $6 per year)
  • Designate an amount to donate with each monthly bill
  • Designate a one-time donation in the amount of your choice
  • Mail a check made out to “Cloverland Cares” to 725 E. Portage Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Begin Contributing to Cloverland Cares Today

Cloverland Cares Grants and Scholarships

Grant cycles: ongoing – apply anytime
Scholarship deadline: March 1, 2024

We are currently accepting grant requests and scholarship applications. Please review the scholarship guidelines and complete an application.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our communities by contributing to school meal programs, food banks, and scholarships to benefit Cloverland Electric Cooperative members in our five-county service territory.

Grants are awarded to food banks or schools that are non-profit, charitable organizations that provide humanitarian, educational, or community development services within our five-county area. Grants are awarded by an independent board of volunteer directors who evaluate every application. They evaluate each application based on the specific project and unique needs of the organization and how it aligns with the mission of Cloverland Cares.

Grants may be awarded if they:

  • Benefit a large number of people
  • Leverage funds from other sources
  • Distribute funds to organizations that help individuals or families in our service territory
  • Help programs increase their capacity to deliver services
  • Are for a tax-exempt, non-profit, or 501(c)3 organization
  • Enhance cooperation and collaboration among organizations
  • Help deliver services of an organization more effectively

Grants are generally not awarded for:

  • Daily school operations
  • Normal operating expenses
  • Fundraising or political campaigns
  • Loans or deficit spending
  • Endowment funds
  • Retroactive projects
  • Individuals
  • Faith-based organizations*

*Faith-based organizations may receive funding for projects if the project provides services to all community members, regardless of the community member’s religious affiliation or participation, such as a food pantry or other meal program. 

  1. Fill out the application completely, and include any supporting documentation regarding your request such as quotes for work/equipment.
  2. One copy of your IRS 501c3 determination letter, if you check Yes to your organization being a 501(c)3. Please note, this is not a tax license or a W-9, please be sure to include the correct letter from the Department of Treasury if you check yes.
  3. One copy of your organization’s financial statements for previous two years (Do not submit tax returns).
  4. One copy of your organization’s bylaws (not required for tax-funded entities).
  5. Encourage all staff and directors of the organization to enroll in Cloverland Cares either online (through SmartHub) or by phone.

Availability — Up to one scholarship per Cloverland membership district A, B, C.

Award Amount — To be determined based on need and available funds. The scholarship must be used for educational purposes at Lake Superior State University, Bay Mills Community College, Les Cheneaux Culinary School and the Great Lakes Boat Building School. In addition, electrical utility programs offered by Northern Michigan University, Alpena Community College or Lansing Community College are also eligible.

Frequency — One-time, non-renewable

Deadline — Completed applications must be submitted by March 1, 2024. All supporting materials and documentation must be included with the application.

Eligibility — Applicant or student/applicant’s parent or legal guardian must be a member of Cloverland Electric Cooperative and currently receiving electric service from the cooperative. Note – there is no age limit for the applicant. All co-op members are eligible. Applicant must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student for the upcoming fall term.

Evaluation — Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: financial need, grade point average, school involvement and achievements, community service and work experience, personal statement of educational and career goals, essay, and letters of recommendation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Notification & Promotion — Cloverland Electric Cooperative will only notify award recipients and announce to the membership in May. Scholarship recipients may be featured in Cloverland Connections magazine and the cooperative’s social media channels. In addition, scholarship recipients may be featured in future Cloverland Cares promotional materials.

Cloverland Cares Annual Report

2021 Cloverland Cares Annual Report 2022 Cloverland Cares Annual Report

Donate Your Capital Credits to Cloverland Cares

Founded in 2020, Cloverland Cares is Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s non-profit foundation. 100% of donations benefit Eastern Upper Peninsula food banks, scholarships and school meal programs across Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Delta and Schoolcraft counties.

We invite members to donate their capital credits to Cloverland Cares!

I agree to irrevocably donate to Cloverland Cares, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization all of the rights, title and interest in 100% of the patronage capital credits which have been or may in the future be credited to me by Cloverland Electric Cooperative.

Donate Your Capital Credits to Cloverland Cares

You may also download the Cloverland Cares Capital Credit Donation Form (PDF).