The Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation recently awarded ten grants totaling $54,000 to various organizations within Watauga County for the 2026 grant cycle. These funds are designated to support local community projects focusing on key areas such as economic and community development, health and wellness, education and youth programs, and other initiatives designed to enhance the overall quality of life across the region.
The grants in Watauga County represent a significant portion of the Foundation's broader efforts for 2026. Across the entire Blue Ridge Energy service area, a grand total of $120,000 was distributed to 27 organizations. This widespread support underscores the Foundation's commitment to fostering robust and thriving communities throughout its operational footprint.
Beyond the allocation of community grants, the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation also extended crucial support in 2026 through crisis energy bill assistance. This program provided emergency financial aid to over 760 Blue Ridge Energy members and customers who required help paying their electric and fuel bills, demonstrating a direct impact on the immediate needs of residents.
The funding for these grants and the crisis assistance programs originates primarily from the generous participation of Blue Ridge Energy members. Through the cooperative’s Operation Round Up® and Operation Round Up Plus® programs, members contribute by either rounding up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar or by adding a dollar or more to their payments. Over 23,500 members actively participate in these initiatives. Further contributions come from an annual allocation of profits from the cooperative’s subsidiaries, which include Blue Ridge Energy, LLC, and RidgeLink, LLC. Members also have the option to donate some or all of their annual capital credits, providing an additional avenue of support for the Foundation's work.
Blue Ridge Energy established the Members Foundation in 2007 with the specific aim of supporting community organizations that provide vital services, ultimately benefiting the quality of life for the cooperative's members. Since its inception, the Foundation has made a substantial impact, awarding over $2.1 million in community grants. This long-standing commitment highlights its role as a consistent source of support for the high country.
Blue Ridge Energy itself is a member-owned electric cooperative serving approximately 80,000 members. Its service area encompasses Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties, along with parts of Wilkes, Avery, and Alexander counties. The cooperative operates with a diversified structure that also includes a propane heating fuels subsidiary and a business-to-business telecommunications subsidiary, further integrating its services within the communities it serves.
Individuals interested in learning more about the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation or agencies considering applying for future grants are encouraged to reach out to Tasha Rountree. As the director of community relations and economic development, Rountree can be contacted at 828-759-8994 or [email protected] for questions regarding the Foundation and its application process.
