# Community Connect Grant Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rdrus-cc-2023-community-connect-grant-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/346989

> Rural Utilities Service offered grants of up to $5.0 million (at least $100,000) to nonprofits, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 50 awards worth $79.0 million in total. Applications closed on February 20, 2024.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | RDRUS-CC-2023 |
| Agency | Rural Utilities Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | February 20, 2024 |
| Award ceiling | $5.0 million |
| Award floor | $100,000 |
| Expected awards | 50 |
| Total funding | $79.0 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.863 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses

## What the grant funds

On December 19, 2023, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) published a correction notice in the Federal Register. The correction notice makes important changes to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Community Connect Program for Fiscal Year 2023, published on March 20, 2023, and extends the Community Connect Program application window until February 20, 2024. The correction notice revises the definition of an eligible Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) under the Community Connect Program to ensure the program is administered in compliance with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). Under the revised definition, a PFSA must lack access to broadband service of 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream plus 1 Mbps upstream to be eligible for consideration for Community Connect Program funding. Additionally, any areas that have received other federal funding to construct terrestrial broadband facilities providing at least 10/1 Mbps service in the project’s PFSA will be deemed ineligible. Any applicant that applied for the Community Connect Program under the March 20, 2023, NOFO must resubmit their application in order to be considered for funding. RUS recognizes that this requirement may result in delays and additional work for FY 2023 applicants. In an effort to minimize the amount of time required to resubmit an application from the FY 2023 funding window, applicants with previously submitted applications will have access to the submitted application data and will have the opportunity to make any edits before resubmitting the application. It is strongly encouraged that applicants review the new eligibility information to ensure that the previously submitted application is still eligible. The extended application window will also be open to new applicants that meet Community Connect Program eligibility requirements. The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained herein.

## Questions people ask

### Is RDRUS-CC-2023 still open?

No. It closed on February 20, 2024.

### Who can apply for Community Connect Grant Program?

Rural Utilities Service accepted applications from nonprofits, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.

### What is the deadline for Community Connect Grant Program?

Closed February 20, 2024. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $5.0 million each. About $79.0 million in total across about 50 awards.

### Who has won Community Connect Grant Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Public Utility District 1 of Lewis County, Wabash Telephone Cooperative Inc, Citizens Telephone Coop. The program made 50 awards worth $136 million in that time.