Round UP for Change

IT’S COMMON CENTS!

At Red River Communications, we believe in the power of working together to improve our communities. In pursuit of our mission to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve, we created the Common Cents Program fifteen years ago. Common Cents provides grants to non-profits that, like us, believe everyone deserves a healthy, fulfilling life.

Since its founding in 2008, Common Cents, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated separately from Red River Communications, has donated $216,246.50 through 410 grant awards to local non-profits throughout our service area. Common Cents is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who meet quarterly to review applications and give out grant awards.

Common Cents is funded by the wonderful customers of Red River Communications when they choose to round up their bills to the next dollar. These tax-deductible contributions average about $0.40 per month per customer. So for less than $5 a year, hundreds of Red River Communications customers come together and make an enormous difference in our communities. In fact, 63% of our customers contribute to Common Cents. Our current goal is to see that number climb to 75%!

CONTRIBUTE OR DONATE:

Are you interested in contributing to Common Cents? Just give our office a call, and we would be happy to enroll you in the Round Up program or assist you in making a onetime or on-going donation to Common Cents above your current round-up amount.

SERVE ON THE BOARD:

If you want to get more involved in the disbursement of grant awards, please get in touch with Donna Thiel at 701-553-8243. When a seat in your exchange opens up, she will contact you about applying for the board of directors.

APPLY FOR A GRANT:

Grants focus on 7 Key Areas of Giving: Youth/Senior Programs & Services, Public Service & Safety Programs, Public Buildings, Historical Sites, Parks and Recreation Departments, Education, and Emergency & Medical Assistance for Local Individuals.

If you are interested in applying for a Common Cents grant, download, complete the application and return the form to Red River Communications. The Common Cents Board will review your application at their next quarterly meeting! redrivercomm.com/about/common-cents

Quarterly Applications Due: March 1, June 1, Sept. 1 and Dec. 1

Common Cents Board of Directors

Terri Tschakert Chairperson, Kent Exchange

Elizabeth Thiele Vice-Chairperson, Great Bend Exchange

Andrea Haugen Secretary, Lidgerwood/Wyndmere Exchanges

Lou Ann Lee, Abercrombie Exchange

Amy Bredman, Barnesville Exchange

Donna Berg, Fairmount/Hankinson Exchanges

Pam Krump, Colfax Exchange

Shelly Wolf, Mooreton Exchange

Julie Hansen, Rollag Exchange

If you have any questions regarding grant eligibility, please contact Donna Thiel or any of the Common Cents Board Members.

Q4 Common Cents Grant Awards

Congratulations to these deserving organizations who were awarded Common Cents grant funds for programs and projects that significantly improve the lives of those in our communities.

Milton C. Stevenson VFW Post 106 - $1,000

Abercrombie Park Museum - $750

BIO Girls (Abercrombie/Colfax) - $500

Friends of the Leach Public Library - $1,000

BW Bolts Swim Team/Wahpeton Park Board - $1,000

Lou Ann Lee (ABER Exchange) presents a $750 grant to the Aber Park Museum for Park Bench Repairs

Shelly Wolf (Mooreton exchange) Presents a Grant $1,000 to the Friends of the Leach Public Library to digitize microfilm of local newspapers.

Pam Krump (Colfax Exchange) presents a $500 grant to Bio Girls Aber/Colfax.

Shelly Wolf (Mooreton exchange) awards The BW Bolts Swim Team a $1,000 grant For practice equipment

Milton C. Stevenson - VFW Post 106 - Fairmount was awarded $1,000 for color guard clothing