Arlington, Va., (October 15, 2025)—The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Grants Program, totaling over $145,000. FRS awarded grants to 31 rural-serving organizations nationwide to support projects in public service, education, health and business development.
“Every year, we are inspired by the creativity and dedication of our member companies and their community partners,” said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. “The work each of these organizations does helps improve the lives of those in their communities. FRS is honored to partner with NTCA members to make these projects a reality and is grateful for our generous donors for making it possible.”
NTCA members partnered with FRS in presenting every award, contributing 20% of the total grant amount. Grants range up to $5,000 and fund needs such as safety equipment, educational resources, and community improvements.
A complete list of 2025 awardees is below:
Ashby Public School Agricultural Education Department – Ashby, Minn.
Partnering NTCA member: Park Region Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to build a greenhouse on the school campus, supplying fresh produce to local food shelves and the school lunch program year-round.
Blue River Joint Fire District – Blue River, Wis.
Partnering NTCA member: Richland-Grant Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $4,500 to purchase a portable ground monitor, an essential piece of equipment that can extinguish large volumes of fire quickly.
Boys & Girls Club of Atchison – Atchison, Kan.
Partnering NTCA member: Rainbow Communications
Awarded $5,000 to update the computer lab and STEM Lab.
Boys & Girls Club of Austin County – Bellville, Texas
Partnering NTCA member: Industry Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to construct a community soccer field that promotes youth development and community engagement.
Brain Builders Childcare Center – Stuart, Neb.
Partnering NTCA member: Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to complete a new playground, providing a safe and engaging outdoor space that supports children’s physical, social and emotional development.
Central Christian College of Kansas – McPherson, Kan.
Partnering NTCA member: Mutual Telephone Company
Awarded $4,945 to create a Digital Learning and Academic Support Hub that expands access to broadband-enabled technologies and peer tutoring for rural and first-generation students.
Center for Environmental Health Monitoring and Management – Carlsbad, N.M.
Partnering NTCA member: Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $5,000 to support cleanups and provide education about the effects of illegal dumping in southeast New Mexico.
City of Pierce – Pierce, Neb.
Partnering NTCA member: Pierce Telephone Company, Inc.
Awarded $5,000 to begin “Chilvers Park 2.0” with the construction of a safe, inclusive and eco-friendly splash pad for all ages and abilities.
City of Waterville, Lake Idlewild Trails and Nature Center – Waterville, Kan.
Partnering NTCA member: Blue Valley Technologies
Awarded $5,000 to install directional signage for trails, campsites and the falls area, as well as educational and interpretive displays on natural and cultural history. Student-designed labels will highlight rare geological features.
Cordova Volunteer Fire Department – Cordova, Alaska
Partnering NTCA member: Cordova Telecom Cooperative
Awarded $5,000 to equip fire apparatus with mobile routers for reliable connectivity and provide VR headsets to enhance community fire and life safety education.
Crater Kids Community Daycare – Manson, Iowa
Partnering NTCA member: Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
Awarded $2,176 to purchase a computer, laser printer and QuickBooks software to improve administrative operations.
Dixon School District 9 – Dixon, Mont.
Partnering NTCA member: Blackfoot Communications
Awarded $5,000 to finalize funding for a walk-in freezer.
Eureka Public Schools – Eureka, Mont.
Partnering NTCA member: InterBel Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $5,000 to implement Reflex Math and Frax programs, game-based tools that strengthen math fluency and fraction mastery for 400 students
Friends of Sunset Zoo – Manhattan, Kan.
Partnering NTCA member: WTC
Awarded $5,000 to purchase ten tablets for real-time animal monitoring, medical record access and enhanced community education in wildlife conservation.
Great Bend Public Library – Great Bend, Kan.
Partnering NTCA member: Nex-Tech
Awarded $5,000 to replace outdated childhood digital literacy stations with new touch-screen desktop computers for early learning.
Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce – Mt. Vernon, Ill.
Made possible by a gift from the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund.
Partnering NTCA member: Wabash Communications
Awarded $5,000 to establish the Community Leadership Academy, an eight-month program to develop emerging leaders through education and civic engagement.
Hand in Hand – Bettendorf, Iowa
Partnering NTCA member: Central Scott Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to purchase three AEDs for Tessa’s Place, the People with Purpose Clubhouse and Edwards Church.
J.J. Hands Public Library – Lohrville, Iowa
Partnering NTCA member: Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
Awarded $5,000 to purchase new computers for the library director and patrons.
Lovington Fire Department – Lovington, Ill.
Partnering NTCA member: Shawnee Communications
Awarded $5,000 to purchase a Fol-Da-Tank, a portable water storage system that strengthens emergency response in areas without hydrants.
Napoleon Ambulance District – Napoleon, N.D.
Partnering NTCA member: BEK Communications Cooperative
Awarded $4,230 to upgrade from laptops to tablets, transitioning fully to digital records and eliminating paper use.
Northwest Domestic Crisis Services – Guymon, Okla.
Partnering NTCA member: Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
Awarded $5,000 to provide domestic violence victims with technology designed for covert safety and security, allowing them to quickly and discreetly reach emergency services during a crisis.
Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments – Maryville, Mo.
Partnering NTCA member: GRM Networks
Awarded $5,000 to purchase interactive tools that enhance roadway safety lessons and participant engagement.
O’Donnell Volunteer Fire Department – O’Donnell, Texas
Partnering NTCA member: Poka Lambro Telephone Cooperative
Awarded $3,896 to purchase two AEDs and pediatric pads compatible with Lynn County EMS.
Pirate Youth Athletic Association – Fountain City, Wis.
Partnering NTCA member: Cochrane Cooperative Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to install a new batting cage.
Putnam County Extension Council – Unionville, Mo.
Partnering NTCA member: Northeast Missouri Rural Telephone Company
Awarded $615 to expand the embryology program, allowing students to observe chick hatching as part of agriculture education.
Rice County Early Childhood Coalition – Lyons, Kan.
Partnering NTCA member: Mutual Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to expand the Childcare Resource Lending Library with toys, sensory kits, books and safety items for local providers.
The Community of Butte Development Corporation – Butte, Neb.
Partnering NTCA member: Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company
Awarded $5,000 to purchase a commercial-grade cookstove for the local nursing home.
The Original Pottawattamie County Fair Board Association – Avoca, Iowa
Partnering NTCA member: Marne Elk Horn
Awarded $5,000 to purchase mobile fencing panels and gates for a new facility that safely houses all beef animals in one space accessible to the public.
Tri-Community Center, Incorporated – Cross, S.C.
Partnering NTCA member: Home Telecom
Awarded $5,000 to support health and wellness programming using webinars, demonstrations, and presentations.
Village of New Auburn – New Auburn, Wis.
Partnering NTCA member: Citizens Connected
Awarded $5,000 to complete the Village Park trail system, connecting the Veterans’ Memorial, bathrooms, playground, parking and shelter with expanded recreational access.
Westran Middle School – Clifton Hill, Mo.
Partnering NTCA member: Chariton Valley Telephone Corporation
Awarded $4,872 to upgrade outdated kitchen appliances with energy-efficient, commercial-grade equipment for the Family and Consumer Sciences Program.
