As a cooperative, community involvement is at the core of PIE&G’s business. We are member-owned and member-regulated, and we are working for the sustainable development of our communities through policies accepted by our members. It’s our mission, as your electric and gas co-operative, to be a trusted energy and community partner.

Whether it’s participating in festivals and local events across our service territory, or providing college scholarships to high school graduates, grants to schools and nonprofits through the PIE&G Communities First Fund, our commitment to northeast Michigan communities is strong.

The PIE&G Communities First Fund was created in 1998 to collect and disburse funds for the benevolent and philanthropic needs (i.e., humanitarian, youth, educational, and civic development) of organizations in the service area of Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op as determined by its volunteer, independent Board of Directors.

The PIE&G Communities First Fund assists our local communities with many worthy projects, including those by emergency medical responders, fire departments, youth organizations, law enforcement agencies, local charities, and educational institutions.

Members in the program voluntarily donate the “round up” amount on their utility bills to the next whole dollar. The average contribution is about 50 cents per month, or around $6 annually per meter.  All contributions are tax-deductible.

Please consider participating in the PIE&G Communities First Fund. Print off and complete the enrollment form, or call our Member Services Department at 1-800-423-6634. After completing the enrollment form, you may drop it off at our office or mail it along with your utility payment to PIE&G, P O Box 308, Onaway, MI  49765.

These small donations make a BIG difference in northeast Michigan— over $1.5 million has been returned to help our local communities to date!

• Grants are limited to $10,000 annually for organizations.
• Applicants may not re-apply within 6 months of a previous application.
• Organizations must submit latest financial statements, bylaws, and proof of non-profit status with application.
• Grants are generally intended to benefit youth and for humanitarian, philanthropic, educational, and civic development purposes.
• Funds must be utilized within 6 months of being awarded. Funds not claimed will result in the grant being rescinded.

The Fund does not make grants for:

• Fundraising campaigns.
• Administrative or general operating expenses, i.e. overhead, wages, utility expenses, professional/counsulting fees, etc.
• Organizations strictly serving outside the 9 county service territory of PIE&G (Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego, Oscoda, and Presque Isle).
• Religious activities or programs serving specific religious groups or denominations. However, faith-based organizations may submit inquiries if the project falls within our guidelines and serves a broad segment of the population.
• Individuals.
• Political campaigns.
• Expenditures already incurred.
• Endowment Funding.
• For Profit organizations are excluded.

The PIE&G Communities First Fund board of directors meets quarterly.

The 2025 meeting schedule is:

March 24, 2025

June 23, 2025

September 22, 2025

December 15, 2025

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE FIRST OF THE MONTH WILL BE HELD UNTIL THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING.

Each year, the Presque Isle Electric & Gas Communities First Fund awards the following scholarships:

$1,000 COMMUNITY FIRST FUND SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000 NATHAN W DOUGLAS MECHANICAL/VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000 MURVILLE & CAROLINE DOUGLAS MUSICAL SCHOLARSHIP
$500 A.B. TRAVIS SCHOLARSHIP
$750 PETERSON VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship eligibility is limited to recipients who:

1.  Are graduating seniors and legal dependents of a PIE&G member or residing with a PIE&G member for at least 12 months prior to applying for the scholarship; and
2.  Plan on being a full-time college student (12 or more credit hours per semester/term) at an accredited college or university located in Michigan.

Scholarship applications are accepted between January 1st and March 1st.  The Board reviews all applications and makes their selection in March. Candidates are notified, and a presentation is made at their respective high school awards ceremony, if appropriate.

Documents

Eligibility Information

Application

Please get in touch with Melissa VanSchoten at (800) 423-6634 ext 1011 with questions.

*Presque Isle Electric & Gas Communities First Fund Bylaws (Revised 2014), ARTICLE XXVII

AUDIT: No less than once every two years the Board of Directors of the FUND shall cause the books and records of the FUND to be audited by a certified public accountant and a report in keeping with sound accounting principles shall be issued to the Board of Directors of the FUND and the Board of Directors of Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op.