For the 11th consecutive year, Continental Divide will award a charitable grant of up to $5,000 to a qualifying nonprofit organization.
The grant is made possible by the co-op’s governing board of trustees, in partnership with CoBank – a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. Annually, Continental Divide contributes up to $2,500 toward the “Sharing Success” grant. CoBank matches it dollarfor-dollar, to bring the total available up to $5,000. Continental Divide has participated in the “Sharing Success” grant program since 2012. This year, Sharing Success applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on Fri., July 1, 2022.
Last year, Continental Divide awarded $5,000 to the Cibola County Historical Society in Grants. The Society purchased display towers, panels and cases to store, display and preserve historical artifacts in its Grants museum.
In general, 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to apply. Select organizations that are not designated a 501(c)(3) may also be eligible. These organizations include schools and government organizations such as counties or municipalities and their agencies or departments, as long as the grant will be used to serve a public purpose consistent with program guidelines listed on the application. Organizations that are political in nature, limit their activities based on religious affiliation, or discriminate do not qualify. Continental Divide and CoBank reserve the right to review and determine whether requests are eligible.
Applicants must provide a narrative that sufficiently describes how the grant funds will be used to benefit a Continental Divide community or communities in one or more of the following categories:
• Energy Efficiency and or Renewable Energy – Grant funds can be used for an organization’s project that promotes the efficient use of energy efficiency, such as weatherization. Funds can be used for planning, developing or constructing a renewable energy source.
Education – • Grant funds can be used for an organization’s project that benefits students in grades K-12 or students enrolled in an accredited New Mexico college or university within Continental Divide’s service territory.
• Environment – Grant funds can be used for an organization’s project that benefits the environment.
• Economic Development – Grant funds can be used for an organization’s project that promotes or creates economic development. Applications are re
Applications are reviewed to ensure all conditions are met. Continental Divide’s board of trustees selects a winner based on recommendations from a committee, which ranks applications by lasting impact and overall strength. The grant application chosen is then forwarded to CoBank for its review. Upon CoBank’s approval, the co-op notifies the recipient, and full payment is made within 60 days.
Because the CoBank matching-grant money is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, Continental Divide reserves the right to bump up the dead line to ensure full funding is available for the grant recipient selected. “It is essential applicants inform us of their intention to apply. We can then attempt to notify them, if the deadline changes,” Continental Divide Member Services Manager Mac Juarez said. This year’s Sharing
This year’s Sharing Success grant recipient will be announced in September or October. Applications can be downloaded at www.CDEC.coop and are due no later than 5 p.m. on Fri., July 1, 2022. For more information, contact the co-op’s Juarez at (505) 285-6656 or mjuarez@cdec.coop