Helping Grow Our Community
Get your local project funded by the Next Dollar Foundation
By Garrett Hylton
The Next Dollar Foundation is one of the primary tools used by Wells Rural Electric Co. (WREC) to invest in the communities it serves.
By rounding up each member’s monthly WREC bill to the nearest dollar and matching that amount with unclaimed capital credits, the Next Dollar Foundation can invest in student grants and lasting projects throughout WREC’s service territory.
The Next Dollar Foundation’s Board— made up of members throughout WREC’s service territory—evaluates and approves project applications.
In total to date, 128 projects have been funded by the Next Dollar Foundation.
Do you have an idea for a project? Head to our Next Dollar Foundation page to apply and get your group or organization’s project funded.
Here are a few of the most recent Next Dollar Foundation projects:
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- The Carlin Open Door Senior Center was awarded $3,000 for a new convection oven purchased in 2020 and installed in spring 2021. This oven will help improve the quality of meal preparation and services provided to seniors in the community.
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- Wells Main Street was awarded $5,000 for the downtown beautification project. Funds were used to buy street light signage and an electronic reader board in front of Wells City Hall.
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- The Wells Parent Teacher Organization was awarded $9,344—in addition to the $8,700 it fundraised—and $3,000 from an Elko County School District grant to buy new playground equipment for Wells Elementary School. The equipment was installed this fall.
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- Carlin Junior Football Program received $3,000 for its field beautification project. The plan is to buy metal storage containers to use for equipment storage and a concession stand.
Foundation Facts
In 2019, the WREC Board of Directors determined membership in the Next Dollar Foundation on an opt-out basis, meaning every member is enrolled in the program by default. Your annual contribution will never be more than $11.88 and the average per member gives between $5 and $7 each year. 99% of residential members have chosen to stay enrolled.- Next Dollar funds are granted in the community where they were donated. The money you donate stays in your community.
- While project approval is at the discretion of the Next Dollar Foundation Board, lasting or “brick and mortar” projects are preferred over equipment that quickly deteriorates, one-time events or short-term investments.
