How to Apply for Blackfoot Community Support 

Welcome to Blackfoot Communications Community Support portal—powered by Submittable. 

If this is your first time submitting a Blackfoot application, please create a Submittable account to complete the form. For further assistance, take a look at this helpful Submittable video "How to Use Submittable (for applicants)." Once your account is set up, you can use the same log-in for future requests. If you encounter any issues, please check the Submittable Help Features. 

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Community Support Criteria

  To be considered for Blackfoot Communications' community support, your organization must meet the following criteria: 

• 501(c)(3) charitable organization, civic organization, school, or group.
• Serve the needs of people within Blackfoot’s service areas (Montana and Idaho).
• Requests to fund the following are likely to be denied: Religious or political purposes, uniforms, requests from umbrella organizations that redistribute funds or individual requests (rather than community-based initiatives).
• Approved requests typically range from $500 to $1,500, with up to $5,000 for exceptional projects; smaller requests are encouraged to help stretch Blackfoot's support of more organizations. 

Blackfoot’s Areas of Interest

Blackfoot Communications supports initiatives in the following areas:  

     * Arts & culture                                                          * Wellness and healthy families 

      * Education                                                               * Veterans and Military

     * Community service activities                                 * Fundraisers benefiting your broader community

Selection Criteria

When selecting requests for community support, we consider: 

• Reputation: Events that align with Blackfoot’s values and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, or veteran status.
• Visibility: Opportunities to reach a public audience and promote the Blackfoot brand, products, and services.
• Transparency:  Full disclosure of confirmed sponsors and their contribution levels. 

Event Sponsorship Terms

In consideration for event sponsorship, Blackfoot Communications requests: 

• Confidentiality Agreement: Sponsorship terms remain confidential unless written consent is given for release.
• First Right of Refusal: Event organizers agree to offer Blackfoot Communications the first right of refusal for future sponsorships.
• Promotional Rights: Blackfoot Communications may promote its sponsorship on our website, social media channels, customer statements or printed materials, and request photos or videos from the event. 

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Blackfoot Communications' 4-H Club Community Project Grant Program 

Blackfoot Communications supports 4-H Clubs in its rural cooperative service areas with grants aimed at strengthening community-based projects. These projects should focus on healthy living, citizenship, leadership, and community service. 

Criteria for 4-H Community Project Grants include: 

• The 4-H Club must be located within Blackfoot Communications service areas.
• Active youth participation in planning and evaluating the project.
• The project should have a lasting positive impact on the community.
• Youth empowerment—projects should help young people learn, grow, and contribute to their communities. 

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Additional Information

• For the best experience with the Submittable community support platform, we recommend using Google Chrome on either Mac or Windows.
• Your Submittable application will be reviewed, and a response will be sent to the email address you provided in your application. Please watch for an email from @email.submittable.com. 
• If you do not see this auto-reply email in your inbox, add @email.submittable.com to your safe sender or Whitelist, and/or check your Junk or Spam folders. We make every effort to ensure these emails are delivered.
• Already have a Submittable account and want to check the status of your application or view correspondence? Log in at: https://givingback.blackfoot.com/login

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Tips for Completing an Application

Having trouble submitting your application? Try the following steps:

1. Ensure every question marked with an asterisk (*) is completed — these are mandatory fields.
2. Save your current application.
3. Sign out of your Submittable account.
4. Close your internet browser.
5. Reopen your browser.
6. Log back into your Submittable account at https://givingback.blackfoot.com/login
7. Reopen your application.
8. Scroll to the bottom of the application and click Submit.
9. After completing these steps, your application should be successfully submitted, and you should receive a confirmation email. If you’re still experiencing issues, please contact Submittable via 1) :Online: https://www.submittable.com/contact; or 2) Tech Support: 855-467-8264, ext. 4; or 3) Email -organizationsupport@submittable.com 

Other Questions? 

Email Blackfoot Communications at communitysupport@blackfoot.com. 

MISSION STATEMENT: Local people with local values delivering secure connectivity and advanced communications services.

Blackfoot Communications Library Grant Program

Welcome to Blackfoot Communication's educational portal for supporting our rural cooperative communities - powered by Submittable. If this your first time accessing this Application, you need to create a free Submittable account by clicking "Sign Up" and/or check out the Submittable video "How to use Submittable (for applicants)." Once you have created your Submittable account, you can use the same log-in/password account for future requests. If you run into issues setting up your account, please check out Submittable Help Features.  

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Program Overview

Blackfoot Communications offers technology-focused grants to rural public libraries to support electronic equipment and technology projects that expand access, improve services, or enhance learning opportunities for patrons. 

Over the past 17 years, Blackfoot has awarded over $88,500 to participating libraries and reinvested in our local communities by strengthening the role of public libraries as essential community hubs. 

The grant prioritizes innovative technology projects and tools that improve the learning environment. 

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Grant Criteria

Funding Amount

• Each public library may submit one application requesting up to $1,000.

Eligibility

• Rural public libraries within Blackfoot’s service region.
• Projects must focus on technology or electronic equipment that improves access, services, or educational opportunities.   

Funding Limitations

• Funding is limited; not all applicants will receive a grant.
• Requests for AT&T or T‑Mobile mobile hotspots are not eligible; these services compete with Blackfoot offerings.

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Additional Information

• For the best experience with the Submittable community support platform, we recommend using Google Chrome on either Mac or Windows.
• Your Submittable application will be reviewed, and a response will be sent to the email address you provided in your application. Please watch for an email from @email.submittable.com. 
• If you do not see this auto-reply email in your inbox, add @email.submittable.com to your safe sender or Whitelist, and/or check your Junk or Spam folders. We make every effort to ensure these emails are delivered.
• Already have a Submittable account and want to check the status of your application or view correspondence? Log in at: https://givingback.blackfoot.com/login

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tips for Completing an Application

Having trouble submitting your application? Try the following steps:

1. Ensure every question marked with an asterisk (*) is completed — these are mandatory fields.
2. Save your current application.
3. Sign out of your Submittable account.
4. Close your internet browser.
5. Reopen your browser.
6. Log back into your Submittable account at https://givingback.blackfoot.com/login
7. Reopen your application.
8. Scroll to the bottom of the application and click Submit.
9. After completing these steps, your application should be successfully submitted, and you should receive a confirmation email. If you’re still experiencing issues, please contact Submittable via 1) :Online: https://www.submittable.com/contact; or 2) Tech Support: 855-467-8264, ext. 4; or 3) Email -organizationsupport@submittable.com 

Other Questions? 

Email Blackfoot Communications at education@blackfoot.com. 

MISSION STATEMENT: Local people with local values delivering secure connectivity and advanced communications services.

Blackfoot Communications in Education

Welcome to Blackfoot Communications in Education portal, created to support rural cooperative communities—powered by Submittable.

If this is your first time using Submittable, you will need to create a free account by clicking “Sign Up.” You can also watch "How to use Submittable (for applicants)" video to get started. Once your account is set up, you can use the same login credentials for future applications.

For troubleshooting account setup, visit the Submittable Help Features. 

Student Connect Program – Information & Guidelines

Blackfoot Communications is proud to continue this valuable educational program, created to help fulfill student needs—as identified by school staff—in public schools located within our rural Montana and Idaho service areas. Since 2016, Blackfoot has provided approximately $15,000 in funding to support rural students with essential items like school supplies, winter apparel, socks, and footwear. This is a unique opportunity for Blackfoot Communications, in partnership with school staff, to make a meaningful impact! 

Support for Individual Students

We recognize that many families in our communities face financial challenges, especially when it comes to school-related expenses like supplies, gym shoes, clothing, and more. The Student Connection Fund was established to help meet these one-time needs, with funding available up to $250 per student. 

Support for School Community Closets

In addition to individual student support, funds from this program may also be used to help stock a school's Community Closet—a resource often maintained by staff to provide students in need with access to basic essentials such as hygiene products, winter wear, socks, undergarments, and school supplies. Applications requesting support for a school closet must be submitted by a staff member and should clearly outline the intended use of the funds and the items needed. Funds are limited up to $250 per Community Closet per year.

Program Eligibility

• Open to public schools within Blackfoot Communications’ rural cooperative service areas in Montana and Idaho.
• A school representative must submit the application (e.g., Principal, Superintendent, Guidance Counselor, or Teacher).
• Funds cannot be used to purchase Christmas presents for students. 
• Close Up Program participant? Please use Blackfoot’s Community Support Application for the entire group of students.

Application Window

• September 1st – May 31st of each school year (or while funds are available).

After You Apply

A. Confirmation Email    After submitting your application, you will receive an auto-confirmation email from @email.submittable.com. If you do not see it:

• Check your Inbox, Spam, or Junk folder.
• Add @email.submittable.com to your Safe Sender or Whitelist.

B. Trouble Submitting? Try This:

1. Make sure all required fields are completed.
2. Save your application.
3. Sign out of your Submittable account.
4. Close your internet browser.
5. Reopen your browser and log in again at https://givingback.Blackfoot.com/login.
6. Reopen your saved application.
7. Scroll down and click ‘Submit.’
8. A confirmation email will be sent if the submission is successful.

Still having issues?

• Visit Submittable Contact Page
• Call Submittable Support: 855-467-8264, Ext. 4
• Email: organizationsupport@submittable.com

C. Already have a Submittable account?    Check your application status or view updates at: https://givingback.Blackfoot.com/login

Questions?

For questions about the Student Connect Program, email us at: education@Blackfoot.com