What is the Irwin EMC Foundation?
What is Operation Round Up?
How did the program get started?
Why is Irwin EMC automatically enrolling everyone?
Is this reverse check-off procedure legal?
How long am I committed to participate in Operation Round Up?
Who decides how the money is distributed?
What types of things will Operation Round Up funds be used for?
Will Irwin EMC make any money on the funds?
If I have multiple electric bills, will they all be rounded up?
Can I contribute more than the rounded up amount?
Are my contributions tax-deductible?
Can people/organizations apply for funds if they do not live in this area?
What percentage of the money is used to cover administrative cost?
How can I apply for funds?
When will funds be available for distribution?

What is the Irwin EMC Foundation?
An organization established by Irwin EMC for the purpose of accumulation and disbursement of funds for charitable purposes with in the service area of Irwin EMC. (top)

What is Operation Round Up?
It is a program to generate funds for the Irwin EMC Foundation. Members will have their electric bills rounded up to the next highest dollar and the change is placed into the foundation for distribution to worthwhile charitable and educational opportunities in the communities served by Irwin EMC. (top)

How did the program get started?
In 1990, Palmetto EMC in South Carolina created to the program to provide funds to meet benevolent needs in their communities. (top)

Why is Irwin EMC automatically enrolling everyone?
This was a difficult decision that was made only after much consideration. We opted for this method for several reasons, including:

• Members have always contributed to worthwhile charities in our service area through Irwin EMC corporate donations. With the Operation Round Up program, Irwin EMC plans to minimize its corporate donations and instead actively promote the Operation Round Up program. In doing so, individuals will have a more direct opportunity to choose whether or not to participate.
• Cooperatives all over the US are involved in this program and their suggestion was to use the reverse check-off method for reasons of economics and efficiency. Historically, cooperatives have had 80% of their customers to participate, and 20% that chose not to participate. For efficiency reasons, we would prefer to have 20% of the members saying they do not want to participate rather than having 80% calling to say they do want to participate. (top)

Is this reverse check-off procedure legal?
Yes. Palmetto Electric Cooperative in South Carolina had three different teams of attorneys to examine the program before they decided to offer it in 1990. Since then, more than 190 cooperatives have bought into the program, with each co-op’s attorneys, including Irwin EMC’s attorney, examining the legalities. Irwin EMC, nor any of the other participating cooperatives, would jeopardize their credibility and good standing by sponsoring a program that is not legal. (top)

How long am I committed to participate in Operation Round Up?
Participation can be stopped and started at any time. You may stay in the program as long as you like or decide to opt out of the program at any time. There is no specific time commitment. (top)

Who decides how the money is distributed?
The Irwin EMC Foundation, Inc. is governed by a 10-member board of directors comprised of 9 members of the community and one Irwin EMC employee. The Irwin EMC Board of Directors appoints the members of the Foundation Board. (top)

What types of things will Operation Round Up funds be used for?
Funds will be used in accordance with the foundation's bylaws, to help with various need sin our community. Funds will be used for educational and charitable purposes within the Irwin EMC service area. Funds will NOT be used to pay electric bills or for political purposes. Rest assured, 100 percent of the fund stays in your community. (top)

Will Irwin EMC make any money on the funds?
No. All funds contributed will go back to the community. (top)

If I have multiple electric bills, will they all be rounded up?
All accounts are rounded up unless you prefer to have only one rounded up. (top)

Can I contribute more than the rounded up amount?
Yes, at any time. Others who are not Irwin EMC members can also contribute. (top)

Are my contributions tax-deductible?
Yes. You will receive a notice on your January and February bills each year with your contribution amount listed for the previous year. (top)

Can people/organizations apply for funds if they do not live in this area?
No, the funds are for the local communities in our service area of Ben Hill, Berrien, Irwin, Tift, Turner, and Wilcox Counties. (top)

What percentage of the money is used to cover administrative cost?
None. All money contributed will be allocated for worthwhile community needs as decided by the Foundation Board of Directors. Irwin EMC will absorb the small administrative cost associated with the Foundation. (top)

How can I apply for funds?
Contact Hope Paulk for an application. The Board will consider applications for requests at their quarterly meetings in September, December, March and June. Certain requests for a small dollar amount may not need the entire board approval and may be handled on an individual basis. To contact Mrs. Paulk, call 229-468-7415, ext. 2311, or email hpaulk@irwinemc.com. (top)

When will funds be available for distribution?
Funds are available now for distribution. The board will consider applications at each quarterly meeting. Applications are due March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. (top)