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Columbia REA 2025 Legacy Grant

Columbia REA 2025 Legacy Grant

Columbia REA is currently accepting applications for its Legacy Grant Project

Grant funding will be available to eligible organizations from within the Columbia REA service area. The goal of the Legacy Grant Project will be to make a one-time donation to organizations that serve our communities.  There will be multiple grants awarded. The grant amounts will range from $50,000 to $250,000.

  • Applications will be accepted between September 10, 2025, and October 10, 2025.
  • Applications received after 5:00 pm on October 10 will not be considered.
  • Applications will be accepted via the online application below.

Grant Recipient Criteria

  • Applicants must be legal entities, sole proprietors and or units of government.
  • Applicants must be able to provide detailed plans regarding how grant funds will be spent.
  • Applicants must complete the application process and agree to any terms and conditions established for the grant.
  • The area in which the project that the grant supports must be within the geographic area covered by Columbia REA.
  • The grant provided by Columbia REA must be sufficient to substantially assist the project.
  • Projects for which grants are approved must either create jobs, self-employment, or be of benefit to the community.
  • Projects for which grants are approved must be designed to achieve job creation or business retention, to add or upgrade non-electrical infrastructure, to add or upgrade health and safety facilities, to accomplish energy- and water- use efficiency improvements, including renewable energy development, or to add or upgrade emergency services.

Grant Priority Guidelines

In deciding among applications for grant approval, primary consideration will be given to the following points:

  • Projects that improve facilities, infrastructure, education, technology or health care in rural areas or contribute to quality of life.
  • The commitment of the grant recipient to provide employees with access to insurance and retirement benefits.
  • Projects that add value to locally produced raw materials and/or are producer-owned, thus improving the agriculture economy.
  • The extent to which the proposed project will provide opportunities to rural residents through self-employment, job and payroll retention and creation, and/or community development.
  • The level of other sources of equity investment committed to financing the proposed project, if applicable.

The following types of projects are ineligible for Legacy Grant funding

  • Projects that are for purely speculative purposes or commercial real estate speculation.
  • Projects that will cause excess competition as determined by the board of directors (e.g., a hardware store in a town of 250 people that already has a viable hardware store).
  • Projects that are considered by the community to be morally improper (e.g., gambling).
  • Projects that are deemed personal in nature or for personal expenditures.
  • Projects that are for traditional agriculture purposes (e.g., crops, livestock, feed, generic farm equipment).
  • Projects that are for the installation or extension of infrastructure associated with electrical service and/or internet services.
  • Relocation other than for sound business purposes.
  • Projects that will result solely in a transfer of employment from one location to another.
  • Projects that do not meet environmental guidelines.
  • Projects that are determined to be in conflict of interest with Columbia REA’s Legacy Grant project.
  • Projects that violate state guidelines for use of grant funds.

If you have questions about the Legacy Grant program or the application process, please contact:
Steve Owens – 509-526-4041, or sowens@columbiarea.coop

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Columbia REA Legacy Grant Application

All required fields must be completed. Applications must be received by 5:00 P.M., October 10, 2025. If you have questions about the Legacy grant Project or the application form, please contact Steve Owens at 509-526-4041, or sowens@columbiarea.coop.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Legal Name of Organization(Required)
Address(Required)
Name of Primary Contact Person(Required)
Please attach a brief background of the organization including description of programs, activities, and accomplishments. Include information about formal or informal relationships with other organizations working to meet the same needs or providing similar services. Explain in brief how your organization is different from these other organizations. Supporting documents, such as photos or graphics, will be accepted.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 50 MB.
    Please attach a full description of the project including the problem or opportunity to be addressed, its significance, and the plan you are proposing to address it. Describe who will be affected by the project and estimate how many will benefit. Supporting documents, such as photos or graphics, will be accepted.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.
      Please enter dollar amount requested. You may enter a more detailed budget below.
      Please enter a number from 50000 to 250000.
      Please include a proposed budget for the total cost of the project including amount requested. Indicate other sources of current and potential funding for the project in addition to Columbia REA. If there is intention to continue the project, discuss how it will be sustained beyond the proposed period of funding. Supporting documents, such as photos or graphics, will be accepted.
      Drop files here or
      Max. file size: 50 MB.
        Please attach any letters of recommendation from other organizations or entities in support of your proposal.
        Drop files here or
        Max. file size: 50 MB.