Round Up For Change

Common Cents
Community Grant Program


At Red River Communications, we believe in the power of working together to improve our communities. In pursuit of our mission to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve, we created the Common Cents Program fifteen years ago. Common Cents provides grants to non-profits that, like us, believe everyone deserves a healthy, fulfilling life.

Since its founding in 2008, Common Cents, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated separately from Red River Communications, has donated $216,246.50 through 410 grant awards to local non-profits throughout our service area. Common Cents is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who meet quarterly to review applications and give out grant awards.

Common Cents is funded by the wonderful customers of Red River Communications when they round up their bills to the next dollar. These tax-deductible contributions average about $0.40 per month per customer. So, for less than $5 a year, hundreds of Red River Communications customers come together and make an enormous difference in our communities.

Donate. Contribute. Volunteer.

If you are unsure if you are contributing to the Common Cents program, call our office, and we’ll let you know your status,  enroll you in the program, or assist you in making a one-time or ongoing donation to Common Cents above your current round-up amount.

If you want to get more involved in the grant awards disbursement, please get in touch with us. When a seat in your exchange opens up, we will contact you about applying for the board of directors.

Grants focus on 7 Key Areas of Giving: Youth/Senior Programs & Services, Public Service & Safety Programs, Public Buildings, Historical Sites, Parks and Recreation Departments, Education, and Emergency & Medical Assistance for Local Individuals.

If you want to apply for a Common Cents Grant, download and complete the application and return the form to Red River Communications. The Common Cents Board will review your application at their next quarterly meeting.

Quarterly Applications Due: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1

Common Cents Application

Common Cents History

Since its founding in 2008, Common Cents, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated separately from Red River Communications, has donated $216,246.50 through 410 grant awards to local non-profits throughout our service area. Common Cents is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who meet quarterly to review applications and give out grant awards.

Common Cents is funded by the wonderful customers of Red River Communications when they round up their bills to the next dollar. These tax-deductible contributions average about $0.40 per month per customer. So, for less than $5 a year, hundreds of Red River Communications customers come together and make an enormous difference in our communities.

Focused on doing good work

Terri Tschakert

Chairperson

Kent Exchange

Elizabeth Thiele

Vice-Chairperson

Great Bend Exchange

Andrea Haugen

Secretary

Lidgerwood/Wyndmere Exchanges

Lou Ann Lee

Abercrombie Exchange

Amy Bredman

Barnesville Exchange

Donna Berg

Fairmount/Hankinson Exchanges

Pam Krump

Colfax Exchange

Shelly Wolf

Mooreton Exchange

Julie Hansen

Rollag Exchange

Past Award Winners

Customer support

If you’re having trouble with your services, our customer experience team is always happy to assist you. We have also created some helpful online resources and step-by-step user guides, which you can access here at any time.

Online Resources