United Power is proud to announce the recipients of its first round of Member Choice Grants for 2021. Let Your Light Shine, located in Brighton, and the Highlandlake & Mead, Historical Society have been selected based on nominations submitted by members throughout the first part of the year.

Member Choice Grants, which were introduced in 2020, give our members a voice in what nonprofit organizations they’d like to see us support. Members may nominate a local nonprofit, within the cooperative’s service territory, to receive grant funds, ensuring we are able to support causes our members truly care about. To nominate a nonprofit for the second round of grants, go to www.unitedpower.com/memberchoice.

Highlandlake & Mead, Historical Society

Established in 1921, Historic Highlandlake has grown over the years into a full-fledged historical society. The society is heavily invested in preserving the history of Highlandlake and the Town of Mead through educational outreach and hands-on community events that revive early pioneer living. Housed in the original Congregational Church, the society’s grounds also display other authentic buildings that have been preserved from the town’s early days.

Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine is a small nonprofit on a mission to empower individuals and families to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. The nonprofit’s typical outreach was halted due to the pandemic in 2020, and it shifted to addressing community needs and the increased number of people facing food insecurity. In 2020, Let Your Light Shine distributed approximately 80,000 pounds of food to its clients, and has distributed nearly 30,000 pounds already this year.