SharingChange
Change is all it takes
SharingChange is MTE’s charitable foundation, funded by members who add a few cents to their monthly electric bill. Every penny goes to local nonprofits and students in the communities we serve, not to overhead costs. When thousands of members give a little, it makes a significant impact close to home. Signing up is voluntary, and you can stop any time.
Your change at work
- 100% local: Every penny raised supports local charities and organizations in MTE’s service area.
- No overhead: Donations go to nonprofits, not to administrative costs.
- 500+ organizations: More than 500 local nonprofits and charities have received grants.
- $13 million: Given back to our communities since 2003.
Ways SharingChange helps
Round up and make a difference
You can take part in one of three ways: round your bill up to the next whole dollar, add a set amount each month, or do both. Rounding up averages about 50 cents a month, or about $6 a year, and shows as its own line on your bill. Taking part is completely up to you, and you can stop any time.
Funding for local organizations
If your nonprofit serves people in MTE’s service area, a SharingChange grant could help fund your project.
A volunteer board of MTE members meets monthly to review applications. MTE directors and employees can’t serve on the board. You’ll receive a letter with your funding status within a few days of the board meeting.
Grants are awarded to organizations, and some organizations and costs aren’t eligible. Review the full guidelines before you apply.
Related resources:
Gordon Bone Memorial SharingChange Scholarship
Each year, SharingChange funds ten scholarships for students in our service area. Applicants must be an MTE member or a member’s dependent. They can be entering freshmen or current undergraduate or graduate students. Scholarships can be used at a Tennessee-accredited two- or four-year college or trade school.
Applications include a 200- to 300-word essay, judged by volunteer teachers from our area. Applications are due March 15, and winners are notified in late July.
Related resources:
Supporting local agencies year-round
SharingChange provides year-round funding to community energy assistance agencies in the counties we serve. These local agencies run their own programs, take applications, and decide how to help the people who reach out to them.
Related resources:
Why give through SharingChange
Rounding up averages about 50 cents a month. When thousands of members take part, it becomes meaningful support for local causes.
Every penny goes to charities and organizations in the communities MTE serves, not to overhead costs. That means your gift supports the places where you and your neighbors live and work.
A volunteer board of MTE members reviews every grant application. MTE directors and employees can’t serve on the board, so funding decisions stay in members’ hands.
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, MTE is built on members working together. SharingChange puts that idea into action by pooling a little from many members to do what no one member could do alone.
2025 annual grant summary
In 2025, SharingChange awarded $671,696.69 in grants to local organizations. See the full summary to find out which groups in your community received support.
Start giving today
Sign up to round up your bill and support local organizations.
Have questions?
Find answers about giving, grants, and how SharingChange works.
Contact MTE's Community Relations Team
MTE’s Community Relations team works to strengthen connections between MTE and the communities we serve. Whether you're looking for information about community involvement, SharingChange, educational opportunities, events, partnerships, or outreach programs, our team is here to help.
We're here to serve MTE members and community partners through community engagement efforts and programs.
Email: communityrelations@mte.com
Phone: 877-777-9020
Online: mte.com/Community
