Operation Round Up FAQ

No, an applicant/recipient does not have to be an MEC member to qualify to receive funds from ORU.

However, the bylaws do stipulate that they should at least reside and/or do business in MEC’s service territory. Applications are approved by the ORU Board of Directors based on how the requested funds will directly impact and support the communities MEC serves.

Navigate to the ORU webpage on McKenzie Electric’s website (Operation Round Up | McKenzie Electric Cooperative) and scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the online applications.

Several ways to apply:

• Fill out and submit the application online.
• Download, print, fill out, scan, and then email the application to ORU@mckenzieelectric.com.
• Mail your filled application to P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854.
• Drop off your filled application in person to McKenzie’s front office located at 3817 23rd Ave NE, Watford City, ND 58854.

Navigate to the bottom of the ORU webpage to the applications section and select the Organization for an Individual application.

Charitable organizations such as churches and other charities can nominate an individual to receive grant funding from ORU. It should be noted that only charitable organizations can nominate individuals to receive grant funding; individuals cannot nominate other individuals.

The Board of Directors reviews applications and makes approval determinations based on a set list of criteria.

Individual donors do not select recipients of Operation Roundup funds.

Yes. Organizations requesting funding from ORU must be 501(c)3 charitable organizations or otherwise IRS Tax-exempt and the additional submission of the organization’s IRS 501(c)3 verification letter or Tax-Exempt Status letter as well as income and financial statements from the organization are required in order for the application to be eligible for consideration.

In order for the Board to review all relevant information and make an informed decision, the following additional documents are required for each application type.

• Individual Application: Additional income and financial statements are required.
• Organization Application: A copy of the IRS 501(c)3 verification letter or other IRS Tax Exempt Status letter as well as the organization’s income and financial statements are required.
• Organization for an Individual Application: No additional documents are required.

These items can be emailed to ORU@mckenzieelectric.com or mail copies to the office at P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854, ATTN: Operation Roundup, c/o Mandee Jacob. These items are always kept confidential.

Not providing the required additional documentation with your application will result in a non-approval.

Yes! Most applications for funds submitted in between review sessions will be saved, to be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled ORU Board meeting.

However, in the event of an emergency such as a medical incident or disaster, such as a house fire, or flood, etc., emergency applications will be reviewed and considered for immediate funds disbursal in between sessions.

ORU supports causes that benefit members of our community individually, as well as community events and organizations that elevate and benefit the communities within our service territory.

ORU has historically given funds to help support various schooling, language classes, other educational efforts, community events, first responders, individual medical expenses, individual disaster relief, assisted living and nursing home residents, daycare facilities, churches, parks, youth programs, veterans, hospitals, and food banks, just to name a few.

ORU does not grant funding for rental fees of any kind.

Yes. The ORU Board may approve up to $2,500 in grant funds per application, per calendar year.

In emergency application cases, applicants may request up to $1,000 in immediate funds disbursal to help cover emergencies, as detailed above. Applicants may submit another request at the next regularly scheduled board meeting for the remainder of the annual limit in the amount of $1,500, if they so choose.

The ORU Board does not support funding rental fees of any kind but prefers to fund requests that have a more direct impact on MEC members, individuals, and organizations that support the communities in MEC’s service territory more personally.

Applications requesting grant funding for rental fees will not be approved.

No. ORU does not financially support political campaigns of any kind, for any public office, public service person, or political purpose whatsoever.

Applications requesting funds for this purpose will not be considered for review.

The ORU Board meets and reviews applications twice per year: Spring and Fall.

Spring Board Meeting typically takes place in May and Fall Board Meeting typically takes place in October, but these dates can vary according to the Board’s availability.

If you submit an application, the ORU liaison will confirm receipt and keep you informed of your application status.

Deadlines are selected by the ORU Board of Directors for the next session at the previous Board meeting (i.e. Spring deadline is scheduled during the Fall meeting and Fall deadline is scheduled during the Spring meeting.)

A typical schedule looks very similar to: May 1 for Spring session and October 1 for Fall session but is subject to variation.

From time to time, the ORU Board may decide to table an application until the next review session for a multitude of reasons. This may occur due to funds availability, event date being too far out, more details or documentation are needed, or any number of other factors under the Board’s discretion.

The applicant will be kept notified on the progress of their application until a final review and decision is made. The applicant is always welcome to reach out to ORU at any time via phone at (701) 444-9288 or email at ORU@mckenzieelectric.com for status updates.

Not necessarily. If an applicant receives a non-approval notification on their application, the letter will state exactly why it was not approved. Most non-approved applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines and apply again for a future session.

If an application does not meet the guidelines, isn’t approved, and does not qualify to re-apply, the applicant will be notified of such information.

Yes! ORU has a history of accepting and approving repeat applications as long as they meet all the approval guidelines, each time.

To opt-in on your monthly power bill, mail a request in writing to McKenzie Electric at P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854 or email our main inbox at MEC@mckenzieelectric.com, and request to opt-in to Operation Roundup.

The maximum a member would donate to Operation Roundup funds per year by rounding up their power bill is no more than $11.88. The average amount for most members is around $6.00/year.

Yes. Submit a request in writing to opt-out of Operation Roundup either by mail to McKenzie Electric at P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854 or via email at MEC@mckenzieelectric.com.

Interested parties must be a member of McKenzie Electric in good standing to be eligible to serve on Operation Roundup’s Board of Directors.

To express your interest in serving on the Operation Roundup Board of Directors, reach out to the McKenzie Electric Board member for your district. This information can be found on McKenzie Electric’s website here: Board of Directors | McKenzie Electric Cooperative.

If no board seat for your district is open at the time of your inquiry, your director will keep you in mind when/if the seat for your district opens up.