As part of its ongoing commitment to rural communities across the country, FRS provides annual grants for rural communities served by NTCA members. The goal of this program is to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. Grant projects vary but are concentrated in four major areas including business, community and economic development, education, and applications of telecommunications.
2019 and 2018 awardee information is available at https://www.frs.org/programs/grant-program/community-grant/recipients
Interest areas include:
Priority is given to projects that can be fully funded with the $5000 award or have 75% or more of the total project cost already in place.
501(c)(3) organizations served by NTCA members are eligible to apply. This program is open nationwide. The Foundation will give priority to proposals that foster collaboration among different community agencies, and local government, reflect a comprehensive approach to community development, promote community participation and engagement, and make rural communities a better place to live and work.
Each spring, FRS begins accepting applications for the current year's grant process. The application window closes in September and awardees are announced in early December. A similar deadline is anticipated annually.
The current deadline to apply is September 30, 2020.
Grants range from $250 to $5,000.