Community Connect Grant Program

Community Connect
CFDA 10.863 Active Grant

Open Opportunities (1)

Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$17M FY2026
$66.7M
FY24
$18.9M
FY25
$17M
FY26*
* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 10.863 (USAspending.gov).

  • Citizens Telephone Coop $5,000,000
  • Unicom, Inc. $5,000,000
  • Wabash Telephone Cooperative Inc $5,000,000
  • Public Utility District 1 Of Lewis County $4,881,150
  • Choctaw Nation Of Oklahoma $4,758,558
  • Spokane Regional Broadband Development A $4,544,350
  • Premier Holdings, Llc $4,504,550
  • B-A-R-C Electric Cooperative $4,460,000
  • Chibardun Telephone Cooperative, Inc. $4,346,908
  • Ctc Telecom, Inc. $4,342,937

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 For FY 25, the program received 31 applications totaling $82 Million in requested funding. Of the amount received, 6 awards were approved.
FY2026 For FY 26, it is anticipated that 30 applications will be received and 5 awards will be made.

Program Objective

To encourage community-oriented connectivity by providing grants to eligible applicants who will deploy broadband transmission service in rural communities where such service does not currently exist; who will connect all critical community facilities such as local schools, education centers, libraries, hospitals, health care providers, law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, fire, and rescue services, as well as residents and businesses; and who will operate a community center which provides free and open access to area residents.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government
  • U.S. Territory Government
  • Department/Agency of U.S. State
  • Department/Agency of U.S. Territorial Gov
  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government
  • Tribal Government (other)
  • Municipality/Township Government
  • County Government
  • Local Government Consortium
  • Nonprofit Organization
  • For-Profit Organization

To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must: (a) be legally organized as an incorporated organization, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, or other legal entity, including cooperatives or private corporations or limited liability companies organized on a for profit or not-for profit basis, and (b) have the legal capacity and authority to own and operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal statutes and regulations.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to applicants receiving the highest number of points.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 90 to 120 days

Applications are approved each fiscal year for which funding is made available. RUS rates applicants based on specific scoring criteria and determines awards based on those ratings.

Program details & compliance

Description

The purpose of this program is to provide grants to rural broadband providers for the construction and provision of broadband service in rural America.

Mission Categories

Primary: Rural Community Development

Other categories:
Economic Development

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Grants will be made available, on a competitive basis, for the deployment of broadband services to critical community facilities, rural residents, and rural businesses and for the operation of a community center which would provide free access to broadband services to community residents for at least two years. See 7 CFR Part 1739 for details.

Required Documentation

See 7 CFR part 1739 for details.

Matching Requirements

The grant applicant must contribute a matching contribution which is at least 15 percent of the grant amount requested and this must be in cash in an account of the awardee at the time of closing.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program
(202) 720-9554.
Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., STOP 1590, Washington, DC 20250
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:34:07.