Education Improvement Program Grant

The Education Improvement Program provides grants to support educational projects and improvements for schools within Lake Country Power's service territory. The program utilizes unclaimed capital credit funds that remain uncashed for 7 years under Minnesota state law.

Geographic Scope: All independent school districts within Lake Country Power's service territory in northern Minnesota

Funding Source: Unclaimed capital credits and utility refunds that remain uncashed for 7+ years. Minnesota state law allows electric cooperatives to keep these funds local and use them toward educational purposes.

Eligibility:

• All independent school districts in the cooperative's service territory
• Applications must come from school district administration
• Projects can be at any facility within the district
• Repeat awards subject to LCP board discretion

Application Requirements:

• Must use official Education Improvement Program application form
• Applications must come from school district administration (not individual schools)
• Projects must demonstrate clear purpose and measurable outcomes

Evaluation Criteria:

• Potential benefit to area school districts and entire community
• Level of community support for the project
• Administrative and financial capability of school district to complete project
• Results that are predictable and can be evaluated

Application Process

1. Obtain Application Form: Request official Education Improvement Program application form from Lake Country Power
2. School District Administration Submission: Applications must be submitted by school district administration (not individual schools)
3. Complete Application: Fill out official application form with project details and information
4. Board Review: Applications reviewed by Lake Country Power Board of Directors
5. Award Notification: Recipients chosen based on specified criteria

Required Materials

• Official Education Improvement Program application form
• Project proposal and description
• Community support documentation
• Demonstration of school district's administrative and financial capability
• Measurable outcome goals and evaluation plan

Evaluation Criteria

The following factors will be considered:

• a. Potential benefit to area school districts and the entire community
• b. Level of community support for the project or the school district requesting funds
• c. Administrative and financial capability of the school district to execute completion in reasonable and timely manner
• d. Results that are predictable and can be evaluated

Contact

• Phone: 218-742-5757
• Email: jburnes@lcp.coop

Note: Application period is currently CLOSED as of April 3, 2026.