Community Grant Program

The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working in partnership with NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, administers the Community Grant Program to support rural communities across the United States. The program is designed to enhance quality of life in rural areas by funding projects that leverage broadband and technology while fostering long-term sustainability and community engagement. Through its collaboration with NTCA member companies, FRS distributes grant funding annually to local organizations that are positioned to address community-specific challenges. The primary purpose of the Community Grant Program is to provide financial assistance to projects that improve rural living conditions, expand access to services, and strengthen local economies. Grants are awarded to initiatives that align with one of four categories: Business and Economic Development, Education and Workforce, Health and Well-being, and Public Service and First Responders. The program prioritizes projects that are technology- or broadband-enabled, demonstrate measurable long-term community impact, and encourage participation from local residents. Funding for this program ranges from 250 to 5000 dollars per award. A required 20 percent match must be provided by the partnering NTCA member company, meaning that FRS contributes up to 80 percent of the total grant amount. Projects are expected either to be fully fundable within the 5000 dollar cap or to have at least 75 percent of total project funding already secured. Funds may be used for project-specific expenses but cannot be applied to overhead costs such as salaries, rent, utilities, or insurance, nor to restricted categories such as capital campaigns, infrastructure construction, or debt repayment. Eligibility for the program includes nonprofit organizations, schools, local government entities such as fire or police departments, and other community-based organizations operating within areas served by NTCA members. Individuals, for-profit businesses, and organizations that have received FRS funding within the past two years are not eligible. Additional restrictions apply to certain types of activities, including political programming, religious activities, conferences, and pass-through funding mechanisms such as scholarships or regranting programs. The application process requires applicants to work directly with an NTCA member partner, typically a local broadband provider. Applicants must complete a detailed proposal that includes organizational information, a project description, funding request details, budget justification, timeline, impact metrics, and sustainability plans. Completed applications are submitted to the NTCA member partner by a locally determined deadline. The NTCA member then selects up to three proposals to submit to FRS through its Member Central system. The program operates on an annual cycle. Applications typically open in mid-June, with NTCA member submissions due to FRS by early September. Awards are generally announced in November. Evaluation criteria emphasize project readiness, funding completeness, community impact, sustainability, and alignment with program priorities. While no specific individual contact is listed, applicants are directed to coordinate with their NTCA member partner or contact FRS via the general email address provided. Overall, the FRS Community Grant Program represents a structured, partnership-based funding opportunity aimed at empowering rural communities through targeted, technology-enabled initiatives. By requiring local collaboration and partial funding commitments, the program ensures both community investment and project feasibility while maximizing the impact of relatively small grant awards.

Ensure project is at least 75 percent funded or fully fundable within 5000 dollars emphasize broadband or technology integration demonstrate long term community impact and sustainability and align clearly with one of the four funding categories