It’s Time to Vote!

Grain Train Owners, it’s time to vote on Cents of Community nominees! Voting is open the month of October. By now you will have received an email from Simply Voting with your login information to cast your vote. If you are an Owner and did not get an email, please reach out to us at ownership@graintrain.coop

What is Cents of Community and How It Works

Cents of Community is our new Grain Train program launching in January 2026! This community-powered, round-up-at-the-register program lets you help decide which local organizations we support by nominating them and, if you’re an Owner (we’d love for you to join if you’re not!), voting for them.

Cents of Community is part of our DNA:

Global Ends Statement: The Grain Train exists so that our community is inspired to make well-informed, healthy choices that support both people and planet.
Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community.
Mission Statement: Making a difference one bite at a time.

Here’s how Cents of Community comes to life each year — and how you can be part of it:

August — Nominate
Nominate your favorite local nonprofit or cooperative organization. If you’re part of — or passionate about — an organization in Northern Michigan that aligns with our mission, we want to hear from you!

September — Refine & Prepare
We gather more information from nominated organizations, ensure they meet our mission and Ends, and finalize the ballot.

October — Vote
It’s Co-op Month — the perfect time to vote! Grain Train Owners vote for the organizations they’d like to see featured. Organizations with the most votes are matched with our biggest sales months.*

January — Round Up Begins
The program kicks off! Each month, you can choose to round up your purchase at the register to support that month’s featured organization — and we send a BIG check on behalf of our community.

* July, our highest sales month, is reserved for The Manna Food Project, which supports more than 32 local food pantries.

Organizations selected must wait two years before being eligible again so we can spread support throughout our community.

Who’s Eligible?

Organizations are chosen based on a few simple guidelines:

Based in Northern Michigan
Tax-exempt (nonprofits and/or cooperatives)
Aligned with the Grain Train’s Mission and Ends Statements
Has not received Cents of Community funds in the last two calendar years

We do not fund:

Organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, age, or sexual orientation
Educational institutions (though programs within schools may be considered)
Political groups or those with a strong political agenda
Religious groups or those with a strong religious agenda
Sporting events or sports teams
Individuals