BOYNE CITY — Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund is accepting letters of interest and grant applications from nonprofit organizations for its spring 2026 grant cycle.
Letters of interest are due April 1. Organizations whose submissions are approved will be invited to complete a full application, which is due April 15. Applications must be submitted through the online portal available on the Great Lakes Energy website.
The People Fund supports projects that improve local communities and is funded entirely by Great Lakes Energy members who voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar.
Grants are awarded by three independent boards representing the north, central and south regions of the cooperative’s 26-county service area. Funding is available to nonprofit, charitable organizations that provide humanitarian, educational or community development services.
Since its creation in 1999, the People Fund has awarded more than $5.1 million in grants. More than $100,000 was distributed during the fall 2025 grant cycle.
Eligible organizations serving communities within the Great Lakes Energy service area are encouraged to apply. Another grant cycle will be offered in October.
More information, including eligibility requirements and recent grant recipients, is available on the Great Lakes Energy website.
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