At EnerStar, "Concern for Community" isn't just one of our core cooperative principles - it's a promise!
That is why we are proud to partner with CoBank, one of our lending partners, to offer the Sharing Success Grant, which supports 501(c)(3) organizations, school corporations, and governmental entities in the communities we serve.
Since 2012, we have donated $215,000 back to our communities - and we are just getting started.
Know a worthy organization? Give us a call at 1-800-635-4145 or send us an email. We'd love to hear from you.
CoBank Sharing Success Grant Recipients
2025 - Faith in Action, Paris Girls Softball Assoc., Marshall Area Soccer Kids (MASK), Paris Park Board
2024 - Marshall Area Youth Network, Martinsville's Santa's Helpers, Hopes & Dreams, Paris PERK
2023 - Friends of Lincoln Trail and Friends of Walnut Point State Park
2022 - Martinsville Ag Fair - Clark County Fair - Edgar County Fair
2021 - Area Volunteer Fire Departments
2020 - Area Schools - Paris Crestwood, Kansas, Chrisman, Shiloh, Oakland, Martinsville School, Marshall
Funds used to assist schools with government-mandated COVID expenses that were not reimbursed to the schools
2019 - Edgar County Food Pantry - Chrisman Food Pantry - Northern Edgar County Ambulance Service
The food pantry funds were used to purchase food for needy families in Edgar County. The ambulance service, which serves the northern part of the EnerStar service territory, used funds to upgrade a heating system at the ambulance garage
2018 - Clark County Sheriff's Department - Edgar County Sheriff's Department
The Clark County Sheriff's Department purchased ballistic vests for the probation department. In Edgar County, the sheriff's department replaced a fingerprinting system that was well beyond its 10-year lifespan. Prior to this, they used a paper-and-ink method that could not be connected to the state's attorney, the Illinois State Police, or the FBI via the network. The new digital system will also allow for employment and background checks.
2017 - Oakland Food Pantry - Clark County Park District
The Oakland Food Pantry had been gifted a food storage and distribution building. Grant funds were used to replace flooring and install new plumbing in the bathroom to bring it up to code. The electrical service was upgraded because the facilities could not adequately power the food storage freezers. The Fay Pickering Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails, located at Mill Creek Park, are nationally ranked trails. To further enhance the trails, the grant funds were used to develop a bike/footpath across the lake’s dam, connecting the 8 miles of existing trails. The single track, dug out mostly by hand, attracts riders and event participants from all over the Midwest.
2016 - Twin Lakes All-Ability Playground
Assisted with playground construction in the heart of Paris’ Twin Lakes Park, which is specially designed for children of all abilities, where children with physical limitations can play equally with others
2015 - Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties
Donated to HRC’s capital campaign to expand its comprehensive behavioral healthcare in east central Illinois
2014 - University of Illinois Extension - Edgar and Clark counties (4H)
Funds were used to purchase tablets, cooking school kits, and new copiers for the Clark and Edgar County offices to further develop educational programming for youth and adults. The Extension service was able to use the funds to match another grant from the State of Illinois, receiving an additional $7,500.
2013 - Marshall Food Distribution Center & Martinsville Food Pantry
Grant funds for two food pantries to serve residents in Clark County
2012 - Paris High School Construction Fund
During school construction, which EnerStar serves, funds were used to furnish science and math classrooms. On a side note, that same year, EnerStar also secured a $75,000 Power Moves grant from Wabash Valley Power Alliance for energy-efficiency initiatives, including a geothermal heating unit, LED lights, and motion sensors. The cooperative was also instrumental in the school securing a $100,000 Clean Energy grant from the state.