The Area Youth Benefit Fund (AYBF) is a 501(c)3 charity created by Farmers’ Electric in 1993. The purpose of this charity is to provide families in our local area with assistance for children’s medical bills in their time of need. We assist families in our ten-county service territory, and assistance is available regardless of whether or not they are insured.
One key point of this charity is that distributions from the Area Youth Benefit Fund stay LOCAL! This charitable fund operates in the counties of Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Harrison, Linn, Livingston, and Ray. A family who receives electricity from Farmers' Electric Cooperative, but resides in a county not listed above, also qualifies for AYBF assistance. A family that resides in one of the counties listed above DOES NOT have to be a member of the Cooperative to receive financial assistance. We just want to help those in our communities in any way that we can!
A separate Board of Directors has been named to administer the AYBF. All applications for assistance will be made to them, and the Directors have been empowered to administer the fund as they so choose.
Overall, Farmers' Electric Cooperative's Area Youth Benefit Fund (AYBF) has distributed more than $1,021,000 to 1,283 families across north Missouri. The fund is supported through annual fundraising events and by Farmers' Electric members who participate in the Operation Round Up program.
In 2026, AYBF successfully hosted its third annual Chances for Children event on March 19 at the Chillicothe Elks Lodge. The evening brought community members together for a fun-filled night featuring raffle prizes, fellowship, and fundraising, all in support of local families facing medical hardships.
AYBF also held its annual Par-Tee for a Purpose Charity Golf Tournament on June 19. The event once again drew strong community support and provided participants with an enjoyable day of golf while raising funds to help children and families throughout the cooperative's service area.
We are grateful for the continued generosity of our members, sponsors, volunteers, and community supporters whose contributions make it possible for AYBF to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of local families.
Operation Round Up
Small Change That Makes Big 'Cents'
Want an easy way to make a real difference every month? With Operation Round Up, you can help local families just by rounding up your electric bill.
Each month, your bill is automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar. For example, if your bill is $83.55, it rounds to $84.00—never more than 99¢ a month.
Those extra cents go directly to the Farmers' Electric Area Youth Benefit Fund, which provides critical financial assistance to local families facing children’s medical expenses.
On average, members give just $6 a year—but together, those small donations add up to life-changing support. Your spare change becomes hope, relief, and healing for neighbors when they need it most.
Ready to Round Up for a reason?
Call us, or enroll online in just minutes:
Log in to your account portal
Click the “More” tab at the top right
Select “Round Up” from the dropdown
Click “Sign Up”—and you’re in!
Thank you for turning your change into change for local kids.
Want to be involved?
Donate any amount you wish right now via PayPal.
Does your employer offer matching donations?
Our EIN # is 43-1636129.
Thanks so much for your help in supporting this worthy cause!
WHERE THE FUNDS GO
Below is the county-by-county breakdown of donations made
since the charity began in 1993.
|
County |
Donation |
|---|---|
|
Caldwell |
$ 110,661.46 |
|
Carroll |
$ 103,050.10 |
|
Chariton |
$ 58,138.98 |
|
Clinton |
$ 75,709.65 |
|
Daviess |
$ 120,857.46 |
|
DeKalb |
$ 63,724.22 |
|
Lafayette |
$ 1,000.00 |
|
Linn |
$ 104,930.90 |
|
Livingston |
$267,797.46 |
|
Ray |
$ 109,429.61 |
|
Gentry |
$ 1,000.00 |
|
Total: |
$1,021,634.84 |