Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant

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

We are proud to support programs and initiatives that align with our mission of connecting people, businesses, and communities. Our application process has been streamlined to make it easier for you to submit community and education-based requests. 

To get started, you’ll need to create a quick Submittable account. This one-time step lets you track your application and easily submit future requests. If this is your first time applying, please create a Submittable account to complete the form (see "Create Your Account" below). For assistance, we’ve provided a helpful video on "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 Submittable’s Help Features.

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Do you have a project that can strengthen your rural community? FRS is offering grants up to $5,000 to support local initiatives that make a lasting impact.

Blackfoot Communications is currently accepting community grant applications for the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Community Grant Program. This annual grant program is offered through NTCA members, like Blackfoot Communications, to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America. 

Grants are awarded each November support a variety of projects concentrated in four major categories: Business and Economic Development; Education and Workforce; Health and Wellbeing; and Public Service and First Responders. 

Is your organization located within one of Blackfoot Communications' rural cooperative service territories below: Alberton, Alta, Arlee, Avon, Charlo, Clinton, Condon, Deborgia, Dixon, Drummond, Elliston, Haugan, Greenough, Hall, Helmville, Noxon, Ovando, Paradise, Philipsburg, Plains, Potomac, Powell-ID, Ravalli, Seeley Lake, St. Ignatius, St. Regis, Superior, Thompson Falls, or Trout Creek.

FRS provides priority to projects that: 1) could be funded by the grant maximum of $5,000 or have at least 75% of the project currently funded; 2) technology and broadband enabled focused projects; 3) have a long-term impact for the community and its residents; 4) promote community participation and engagement; 5) create a more sustainable rural community.

FRS will not fund grants for the following: 1) Overhead Expenses (salaries, rent, utilities, insurance); 2) Individuals; 3) Pass-through funding (scholarships, re-granting); 4) Seed funding or projects that have not yet secured at least 75% of the required funds for completion; 4) Conferences, events, travel, and staff training; 5) Membership or dues-based programs; 6) International organizations; 7) Lobbying and political programming; 8) Religious activities or resources; 9) Infrastructure/building campaigns; 10) Security cameras; 11) Capital campaigns or endowments; 12) Vehicles; 13) Digital signage; 14) Event Sponsorships; 15) Community Food Programs; 16) Debt reduction efforts; or 17) For-profit businesses.

DEADLINE: August 25, 2026

Blackfoot will submit the completed application to FRS by September 2, 2026 (if approved by the Blackfoot Cooperative Board of Trustees review). Grants are a one-time award only and will be awarded in late November.

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Tips for Completing Your Application 

Having trouble submitting your application? Try the following: 

1.  Ensure all mandatory questions (marked with an asterisk) are answered. 
2.  Save your progress. 
3.  Sign out and close your browser. 
4.  Reopen your browser and log back in to Submittable. 
5.  Reopen your application and scroll to the bottom to submit. 

Once submitted, you should receive a confirmation email. If issues persist, contact Submittable Support at: 

     * Submittable Contact 

     * Call Submittable Tech Support at 855-467-8264 Ext. 4 

     * Email: organizationsupport@submittable.com 

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Other Questions? 

For further assistance, please reach out to Blackfoot Communications Community Support Committee at communitysupport@blackfoot.com. 

Together, We Can Boost Our Community  

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.