Arlington, Va., (October 15, 2026)— The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, today announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Grants Program, totaling over $151,000. FRS awarded grants to 33 rural-serving organizations nationwide to support projects in public service, education, health and business development.

 

"NTCA member companies are the backbone of their rural communities, and they know best which local organizations are making a difference for their citizens and neighbors," said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. "That local knowledge is key to identifying how to best use the FRS Community Grant resources. We're grateful to NTCA members for bringing these important projects forward, and to FRS donors for making the grants 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.

 

BVT Senior Marketing / Community Relations Specialist, Jada Ackerman, said, "We are thrilled that the Frankfort City Library has been awarded a 2026 Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant to help fund a permanent StoryWalk in Frankfort City Park. Projects like this embody what makes rural communities special by bringing people together while creating opportunities for learning, exploration, and enrichment. At BVT, we're proud to support initiatives that strengthen our communities, and we look forward to seeing families enjoy the StoryWalk for years to come."

Ackerman added, "BVT's Board of Directors is deeply committed to rural community development, as demonstrated by its contribution of 20% of the total grant funds awarded to Frankfort. Supporting projects that enhance quality of life and create lasting benefits for our communities is an important part of that commitment."

 

A complete list of 2026 awardees are below:

 

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dunn County – Menomonie, Wis.

Partnering NTCA member: West Wisconsin Telcom

Awarded $5,000 to purchase Personal Emergency Response System devices for county residents at risk from falls, memory concerns or wandering, helping them remain safe and independent in their homes.

 

Alamogordo Public Schools – Alamogordo, N.M.

Partnering NTCA member: Tularosa Communications

Awarded $5,000 to replace outdated laboratory equipment and instructional technology, restoring STEM and digital media learning opportunities across the district.

 

Anita Public Library – Anita, Iowa

Partnering NTCA member: WesTel Systems

Awarded $5,000 to replace the library circulation desk to improve engagement between staff and patrons.

 

Archer City ISD Education Foundation – Archer City, Texas

Partnering NTCA member: Brazos Communications

Awarded $5,000 to give healthcare and agriculture students access to the Anatomage virtual dissection platform.

 

Brimfield Public Library District – Brimfield, Ill.

Partnering NTCA member: Mid Century Communications

Awarded $5,000 to purchase an assistive listening system so individuals with hearing loss can fully participate in library programs.

 

Camp Knutson – Crosslake, Minn.

Partnering NTCA member: Tremolo Communications

Awarded $4,974 to purchase an AED and iPads to strengthen on-site emergency response and camper information management.

 

City of Jenkins – Jenkins, Minn.

Partnering NTCA member: Tremolo Communications

Awarded $4,983 to install ADA-accessible picnic tables and additional seating in the public park.

 

Coon Creek Fire and Rescue – Coon Valley, Wis.

Partnering NTCA member: Coon Valley Farmers Telephone Company

Awarded $5,000 to purchase firefighting turnout gear fitted for the department’s female firefighters.

 

Cordova Jr./Sr. High School – Cordova, Alaska

Partnering NTCA member: Cordova Telecom Cooperative

Awarded $4,894 to replace aging 3D printers and supply filament for student projects.

 

Decatur Health – Oberlin, Kan.

Partnering NTCA member: Nex-Tech

Awarded $5,000 to purchase a pediatric digital scale for its rural health family practice clinic.

 

Emerson-Hubbard High School Robotics Team 9570 – Emerson, Neb.

Partnering NTCA member: Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company

Awarded $5,000 to purchase robot parts, tools and storage for the team’s competition season.

 

Frankfort City Library – Frankfort, Kan.

Partnering NTCA member: Blue Valley Technologies

Awarded $5,000 to install a permanent StoryWalk in Frankfort City Park, promoting literacy and outdoor activity for families.

 

Geary County Rural Fire Department – Junction City, Kan.

Partnering NTCA member: Twin Valley

Awarded $3,950 to purchase wildland firefighting equipment that strengthens suppression and mutual aid response across Flint Hills.

 

General N.B. Baker Library – Sutherland, Iowa

Partnering NTCA member: WesTel Systems

Awarded $1,600 to purchase 145 children’s books, audiobook players and seating for a dedicated listening area.

 

Genoa Fire Protection District – Genoa, Colo.

Partnering NTCA member: Eastern Slope Technologies

Awarded $5,000 to replace aging communications gear with reliable multi-channel handheld radios.

 

Griggsville-Perry CUSD 4 – Griggsville, Ill.

Partnering NTCA member: Adams Fiber

Awarded $4,800 to refurbish the high school library with new furniture, library management software and computers.

 

Jim Ned Volunteer Fire Department – Tuscola, Texas

Partnering NTCA member: Taylor Telecom

Awarded $3,914 to replace outdated radios with Bluetooth-capable units that integrate with firefighters’ SCBA equipment.

 

Karval Fire Protection District – Karval, Colo.

Partnering NTCA member: Eastern Slope Technologies

Awarded $4,432 to purchase a rugged field computer so EMS providers can complete electronic patient care reports on scene.

 

Lake Region Healthcare – Fergus Falls, Minn.

Partnering NTCA member: Park Region Telephone Company

Awarded $4,991 to purchase vision and hearing screening equipment for early identification of concerns in children and teens.

 

Lewis Public Library – Lewis, Iowa

Partnering NTCA member: Griswold Communications

Awarded $4,060 to purchase a laptop, barcode scanner, laptop cart and 40 audio-enabled books to expand technology access and literacy programming.

 

Little Castle Learning & Development Center – Artesia, N.M.

Partnering NTCA member: Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative

Awarded $3,000 to expand its preschool lending library, so families have greater access to educational resources at home.

 

Napoleon Public School – Napoleon, N.D.

Partnering NTCA member: BEK Communications

Awarded $5,000 to install two interactive display monitors supporting classroom instruction, community meetings and music education.

 

Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging – Hiawatha, Kan.

Made possible by a gift from the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund.

Partnering NTCA member: Rainbow Communications

Awarded $5,000 to establish a Technology Center offering older adults digital skills training, online safety education and individualized support.

 

REACH 907 – Wasilla, Alaska

Partnering NTCA member: MTA

Awarded $5,000 to purchase iPads for newly hired behavioral health clinical associates serving youth and families throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

 

Sampson County Emergency Management – Clinton, N.C.

Partnering NTCA member: Star Communications

Awarded $5,000 to equip EMS ambulances and quick response vehicles with iPads for faster access to patient and medical information.

 

Sullivan County Memorial Hospital Foundation – Milan, Mo.

Partnering NTCA member: NEMR

Awarded $5,000 to purchase three automated external defibrillators.

 

Surry County Sheriff’s Office – Dobson, N.C.

Partnering NTCA member: Surry Communications

Awarded $4,830 to purchase seven hand-held ballistic shields to protect deputies responding to high-risk calls.

 

Taylor Regional Hospital – Campbellsville, Ky.

Partnering NTCA member: DUO Broadband

Awarded $4,170 to purchase portable iPads that expand its remote language interpretation platform for patients who are deaf, hard of hearing or limited English proficient.

 

The City of Arkansas City – Arkansas City, Kan.

Partnering NTCA member: KanOkla

Awarded $1,500 to replenish digital and classroom equipment supporting volunteer-led community programming.

 

Town of Nunn – Nunn, Colo.

Partnering NTCA member: Nunn Telephone Company

Awarded $5,000 to purchase recreational and fitness equipment for its newly renovated community center and gym.

 

Town of Pioche – Pioche, Nev.

Partnering NTCA member: Lincoln County Telephone System

Awarded $5,000 to improve aquatic safety at the community pool with an outdoor emergency communication system, an eyewash station and an expanded lifeguard rescue station.

 

Village of Coldwater – Coldwater, Ohio

Partnering NTCA member: Wabash Mutual Telephone Company

Awarded $5,000 to place automated external defibrillators in community parks and recreation areas used year-round for sporting events and festivals.

 

Wright Middle School – Abbeville, S.C.

Partnering NTCA member: West Carolina

Awarded $5,000 to purchase equipment that expands hands-on STEM learning opportunities for students.

 

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The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS focuses on educating rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. Visit us at www.frs.org.   

 

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing about 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America. In an era of transformative technological developments, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are advancing efforts to close the digital divide by delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks. Their commitment to building sustainable networks makes rural communities fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.