Cook County Co-op announces list of 2024 round-up organizations
Feb 15, 2024 09:55AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Cook County Co-op Facebook Page
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 15, 2024
Since the Cook County Co-op in Grand Marais refreshed the round-up program in April, 2022, they've been able to give back almost $60,000 to the community - thanks to owners and shopper. Each month, the Co-op highlights a pre-selected Cook County non-profit organization. Any time someone checks out, they have the option to "round-up" to the nearest dollar. Amber Richards, Marketing Manager at the Co-op, told Boreal Community Media "Our roundup program has been successful thanks to the generous community we live in... We have a very committed group of folks who want to help our community thrive. "
100% of the round-up proceeds go towards the month's selected non-profit, which is chosen by Cook County Co-op leadership, based on certain criteria. According to the Co-op website, the organization "Considers applications from non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organizations and funds must be used for specific projects, not for general operating costs."
"The Co-op is strictly a conduit and we do our best to be fair by looking at a program's focus, how they are run, how they provide access to services, and how many people they impact," Richards said.
The amount each organization receives depends on a variety of factors, but collectively, over $31,000 was donated in 2023. The impact on select organizations can be two-fold, visibility, and financial support that can be put towards certain goals.
For example, the Arrowhead Animal Rescue (AAR) is one of the 2024 organizations selected for the month of July. Andi Zickrick, AAR volunteer, said: "Being picked for roundup is so awesome and we appreciate it so much. We've been very blessed in our fundraising efforts, however, until we have an actual "building" to call home for AAR we are unable to access grant funding. But it's in the works: we have a lot in the business park that was officially turned over to the city in January, and are planning to purchase a GES trailer once school is out this summer. This will help, so thanks on behalf of our volunteers!"
To see the full list of 2024 organizations, visit the Cook County Co-op website here.
For more information about applying, visit the Co-op website here. Applications for 2025 will be reviewed near the end of the year.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 15, 2024
Since the Cook County Co-op in Grand Marais refreshed the round-up program in April, 2022, they've been able to give back almost $60,000 to the community - thanks to owners and shopper. Each month, the Co-op highlights a pre-selected Cook County non-profit organization. Any time someone checks out, they have the option to "round-up" to the nearest dollar. Amber Richards, Marketing Manager at the Co-op, told Boreal Community Media "Our roundup program has been successful thanks to the generous community we live in... We have a very committed group of folks who want to help our community thrive. "
100% of the round-up proceeds go towards the month's selected non-profit, which is chosen by Cook County Co-op leadership, based on certain criteria. According to the Co-op website, the organization "Considers applications from non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organizations and funds must be used for specific projects, not for general operating costs."
"The Co-op is strictly a conduit and we do our best to be fair by looking at a program's focus, how they are run, how they provide access to services, and how many people they impact," Richards said.
The amount each organization receives depends on a variety of factors, but collectively, over $31,000 was donated in 2023. The impact on select organizations can be two-fold, visibility, and financial support that can be put towards certain goals.
For example, the Arrowhead Animal Rescue (AAR) is one of the 2024 organizations selected for the month of July. Andi Zickrick, AAR volunteer, said: "Being picked for roundup is so awesome and we appreciate it so much. We've been very blessed in our fundraising efforts, however, until we have an actual "building" to call home for AAR we are unable to access grant funding. But it's in the works: we have a lot in the business park that was officially turned over to the city in January, and are planning to purchase a GES trailer once school is out this summer. This will help, so thanks on behalf of our volunteers!"
To see the full list of 2024 organizations, visit the Cook County Co-op website here.
For more information about applying, visit the Co-op website here. Applications for 2025 will be reviewed near the end of the year.
