(Cumming, GA ) The Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation is pleased to announce that $55,895 in grants were awarded for the 1st Quarter of 2026. These funds have been designated for local nonprofit organizations as well as the Bright Ideas initiative, and College and Technical School grant request.

The Foundation Board of Trustees approved $41,691 to the following organizations that address needs in local communities.

• Emory University (Emory at Johns Creek Hospital) 
• American Legion, Inc. dba Cumming Post 307
• Theres Hope for the Hungry, Inc.
• Skye Precious Kids, Inc.
• Good Shepard Clinic of Dawson County, Inc.
• Dawson Community Food Bank, Inc.
• The Children’s Center for Hope and Healing, Inc.
• Historical Society of Cumming-Forsyth County, Inc.

Additionally, $6,705 was gifted to several local teachers through the Bright Ideas program to support an educational project in their classroom. The following teachers received a Bright Ideas grant.

• Free Home Elementary School – “Making Ideas Come to Life: 3D Printing in the Media Center”
• Free Home Elementary School - “Launch Pad Learning Kits – Ignite Curiosity at Home!”
• Haw Creek Elementary School - “Building Bright Futures”
• Vickery Creek Elementary School - “Robot Explorers”
• North Forsyth High School - “Current Thinking Real Circuits for Real Learning”

The Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation also extended support to the college and technical education sector with a grant of $7,500 granted to the University of North Georgia. 

Blake House, Sawnee EMC Vice President of Member Services, stated, “The grants approved by the Foundation Board this quarter further emphasize the dedication and support of Sawnee EMC and the Sawnee Electric Foundation to meet the needs of the community we serve. The organizations supported by these grants serve such a great purpose in our community and we are thankful our members believe in the mission of the Foundation.” 

The funds for these grants are made possible by the generous participation of Sawnee EMC members in the Operation Round Up program. Through this initiative, Sawnee EMC members voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, with the additional funds contributing directly to the Foundation. This collective action embodies the spirit of community and illustrates the power that small contributions can achieve a significant impact.

Questions about this program or the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation can be found online at sawnee.coop/round_up or directed to Mandy Love, Associate Vice President of Member Services for Sawnee EMC at 678-455-1579 or via email at mandy.love@sawnee.coop.

About Sawnee EMC and the Sawnee Electric Foundation 
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 203,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia. The Sawnee Electric Foundation was created in 2003 with the mission of providing charitable donations within the Sawnee communities. The Foundation exists to enhance the way of life for those in need, with financial assistance to selected charitable organizations. Sawnee always stands ready to meet the needs of its members/owners. SEMC strives daily to live up to their motto…

“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service”.

_{This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.}