The Power of Change Awards more than $120,000 to 40 Nonprofits Across Virginia

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Power of Change has awarded $122,185.32 in member-funded grants to 40 nonprofit organizations serving communities across Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s 22-county service area.

The spring 2026 grants support programs focused on food insecurity, housing and shelter assistance, health care, education, emergency services and other community needs.

Notable initiatives include The Fairy Godmother Project in Fredericksburg, which received $8,301.60 for its Fighting Food Insecurity for Families Facing Pediatric Cancer program; The Montpelier Center for Arts and Education in Montpelier, which received $4,300 for its Summer Focused Arts Education Initiative to expand access to creative programming for youth and families; and Ramp Access Made Possible by Students, or RampsRVA, which received $2,500 to help build wheelchair-accessible ramps for Hanover County residents with mobility needs.

“The Power of Change shows what can happen when thousands of REC member-owners come together to support their communities,” said Casey Hollins, managing director - communications and public relations at REC. “An average contribution of just 51 cents a month helps fund programs that provide food, shelter, health care, education, emergency services and other critical support across our service area.”

Currently, more than 37,000 member-owners participate by rounding up their electric bill to the next whole dollar.

About The Power of Change

The Power of Change allows REC member-owners to voluntarily support nonprofits serving community needs across REC’s service area. Participating members round up their electric bills to the next whole dollar, with the average monthly contribution totaling 51 cents. Twice a year, these member-funded donations are awarded to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Since 2005, The Power of Change has invested $1.8 million back into the communities REC serves. Learn more at thepowerofchange.org

Spring 2026 The Power of Change Recipients included:

Blue Star Families of Central Virginia, $1,970.50, Charlottesville, (serves Albemarle, Louisa, Goochland, Greene, Madison, Orange and Culpeper counties)

Coven of the Appalachian Mountains, $1,500, Dyke, (serves Albemarle, Louisa, Madison, Greene, Page and Rockingham counties)

Empowerhouse, $5,000, Fredericksburg, (serves Stafford, Spotsylvania and Caroline counties)

The Fairy Godmother Project, $8,301.60, Fredericksburg, (serves Caroline, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties)

Fredericksburg Christian Health Center, $3,500, Fredericksburg, (serves Orange, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Caroline counties)

Germanna Community College Educational Foundation, $2,000, Locust Grove, (serves Stafford, Caroline, Orange, Culpeper and Spotsylvania counties)

Jamestown 4-H Educational Center, $1,600, Williamsburg, (serves Essex, Goochland and Hanover counties)

The Journey Home Inc., $1,500, Mineral, (serves Louisa County)

Let’s Go Services, $2,464.18, Sandston, (serves King William and Hanover counties)

Mental Health America of Fredericksburg Inc., $2,165.15, Fredericksburg, (serves Caroline, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties)

Micah Ecumenical Ministries, $3,000, Fredericksburg, (serves Stafford, Spotsylvania and Caroline counties)

Moments of Hope Outreach, $2,000, Hanover, (serves Hanover, King William and Caroline counties)

Monticello Area Community Action Agency Inc., $3,000, Charlottesville, (serves Louisa and Albemarle counties)

Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, $4,300, Montpelier, (serves Hanover County)

New Vision Community Outreach Association FXBG, $2,000, Fredericksburg, (serves Spotsylvania, Stafford and Orange counties)

Ramp Access Made Possible by Students, $2,500, Richmond, (serves Hanover County)

Servants at Work Virginia, $5,000, Fredericksburg, (serves Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline, Rappahannock, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Culpeper counties)

VilDon Edutainment Inc., $1,000, Tappahannock, (serves Essex County)

About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative 

Serving more than 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Photo: The Fairy Godmother Project received $8,301.60 from The Power of Change. From left are Tracy Woods (REC), Cathleen Pessolano and Gin Schaffer.