Community Grant Program (Foundation for Rural Service)

Community Grant Program (Foundation for Rural Service) is sponsored by Foundation for Rural Service. This program supports community development, which could encompass projects related to agriculture or performing arts if they demonstrate a clear community benefit.

FRS Homepage | FRS - Foundation for Rural Service × The My NTCA Benefits administrative and participant portals will undergo scheduled maintenance beginning at 8 p. m. ET on Thursday, August 20.

The portals may be unstable during this time. Register for the FRS Rural Run/Walk 5K Registration for the 2026 FRS Rural Run/Walk 5K is now open! This is not just a 5K—it is a nationwide movement to support rural communities.

Can we count on you to lace up and go the distance for FRS? Proceeds directly support FRS programs, including scholarships, community grants, and the Youth Tour. Registration is $40 per person and includes a Rural Run/Walk t-shirt and optional competitions to keep the fun going!

Register by August 1 to receive your t-shirt in time for September. [ Extended shirt sizes are available for an additional fee.] Whether you're racing for the top spot, rallying your colleagues, or simply showing up for a cause that matters to you, there is a reason for everyone to participate.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference for rural America! Let's get active for a great cause! Apply Now for the 2026 FRS Community Grant Program The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) has opened applications for the 2026 FRS Community Grant Program.

In partnership with NTCA members, FRS offers aid to rural communities for special community projects. Each NTCA member company is limited to submitting three applications on behalf of organizations in their service area. The application can be found in Member Central.

Applications are due by September 4, 2026 . Grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 will be awarded in the fall. Learn more about the program: Community Grant Program 2026 Distinguished Service Award: Dee Herman The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) honored Donald L.

Herman, Jr. (Dee) of Herman & Whiteaker, LLC with the 2026 FRS Distinguished Service Award. As the Foundation's pro bono counsel, Dee's expertise and work behind the scenes do not go unnoticed. His commitment to FRS supports our mission and strategic goals.

Not only does Dee support FRS, but he also advocates on behalf of NTCA members. We thank Dee for his continued service, and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition! Pictured from left to right: Pam Becker, FRS Executive Director; Dee Herman, Principal at Herman & Whiteaker, LLC; Andy Isackson, FRS Board Chair and Chief Marketing Officer at Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC).

Shirley Bloomfield Fund for Women’s Advancement Honoring Shirley’s 36 years with NTCA, her many contributions to the rural telecom industry and strong support of women in telecom, the Shirley Bloomfield Fund for Women’s Advancement will endow a scholarship for a woman student who is either a recent high school graduate, a non-traditional student returning to school after/while working, or a current student seeking to complete her degree.

The fund is sponsored by the NTCA Women in Telecom program. Thank you for supporting women's education! 2025 FRS Impact Report: Rural at Heart The Foundation for Rural Service has released its 2025 Impact Report , a celebration of the milestones achieved over the past year.

Thanks to support from NTCA members, FRS empowers the next generation and rural communities through scholarship and community grant awards , providing vital resources to rural students and local initiatives. The report also highlights the transformative experiences of the FRS Youth Tour participants and the vibrant energy of FRS fundraising events at NTCA conferences .

Every dollar raised and every story shared reinforces the FRS commitment to strengthening rural communities. Explore the full report to see how your contributions are creating lasting change. The Tim Owens-Ron Laudner Memorial Fund Our industry lost a true leader with the death of Ron Laudner, Jr. Ron served on the FRS Board of Directors, the NTCA Board of Directors, and chaired the OPASTCO Board during his 40-year career.

Ron was recognized for his passion for FRS with the Distinguished Service Award and was a close friend of another FRS leader, Tim Owens, who passed away several years ago. Both men were passionate about supporting rural youth and communities.

To honor and remember the legacy of both men, FRS has established the Tim Owens-Ron Laudner Memorial Fund , which supports scholarships for students studying the arts and grants for community arts-related projects. Thank you for supporting youth education and artistic expression! Thank You For Your Support We are grateful to our generous FRS donors who make FRS programs possible.

More than $2 million has been awarded by FRS in scholarships since 1994 to invest in the next generation of rural youth. Over $700,000 has been awarded in FRS Community Grants. Over 2,500 students have attended the FRS Youth Tour.

Find FRS Activities and Donors in Your State Bringing Broadband Policy to the Places It Matters Most Future Leaders Explore Washington Through the 2026 FRS Youth Tour Foundation for Rural Service Awards Scholarships in Honor of Tim Owens, Ron Laudner and Shirley Bloomfield Foundation for Rural Service Awards $185,000 in Scholarships to Rural Students Foundation for Rural Service Awards $145,000 In Community Grants Congressional Staff See Impact of Broadband Firsthand The Foundation for Rural Service is rural at heart.

As the philanthropic arm of NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, we’re your foundation, devoted to rural communities and those who live in them. We know NTCA members share this passion and that’s why we love working together. Each year, our Scholarships assist high school graduates attending college or technical school, our annual Youth Tour brings teens to Washington, D.

C. , to learn about our nation’s capital, and the Community Grant Program helps support nonprofit organizations doing important work in your service area. These important FRS activities and other FRS programs wouldn’t be possible without your support so please make a tax-deductible gift today.

Thank you.