Grants, Donations, and Scholarships

OmniTel’s Charity Grant Program

Giving back to others has always been an important part of who we are at OmniTel Communications. OmniTel’s Charity Grant Program was established to positively impact the quality of life in the communities which we serve.

We invite public and private nonprofit organizations to submit applications for funding to help with specific projects and events in your community. Greatest consideration is given to the projects and events that benefit the most people. All grants must go to an organization or event in the OmniTel Communications serving area (this is an area and/or towns where OmniTel provides telephone, and Internet services to OmniTel customers).

All applications are reviewed at the first board meeting of each quarter. Completed applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

OmniTel Communications charity grant criterion

  • Civic Organizations – maximum $1,000 per each request

  • Non-civic Organizations – maximum $500 per each request

  • School Activities and Summer Youth Programs – maximum $250 per each request

There are two Charity Grant forms–one for requests under $100, the other for requests for over $100. There is a $1000 maximum for any one request, (please note Charity Grant Criterion above).

Donation requests $100 and under

Donation requests over $100

Other Grants

FRS (Foundation for Rural Service) Grants

As part of its ongoing commitment to rural communities across the country, FRS offers aid for communities served by NTCA members through its annual Community Grants Program. These grants are designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America.

Applications for these grants are accepted each spring ranging from $250 to $5,000. The grants awarded each November support a variety of projects concentrated in four major categories.

  • Business and Economic Development

  • Community Development

  • Education

  • Telecommunications Applications

For further information on FRS Grants please go to https://www.frs.org/programs/grant-program/community-grant

Donation Requests

OmniTel supports organizations and activities that make our communities better places to live and work. While we desire to support all causes in the communities we serve, we are also aware of limitations in our abilities to do so. Due to an overwhelming number of requests, we have updated our process for those organizations that are seeking financial support through donations from OmniTel. We ask for your cooperation in following the guidelines outlined below for any donation requests.

Donation Requests will be processed directly through the OmniTel website.

Donation requests $100 and under

Donation requests over $100

Scholarships

FRS (Foundation for Rural Service) scholarship

The Foundation for Rural Service annually awards scholarships to an exceptional group of rural students for their first year of college or vocational school. All applicants require sponsorship by an NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association member company to be eligible.

FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception; empowering rural students throughout the country to advance their communities with invaluable skill sets and experiences.

Information on FRS Scholarships is available at https://www.frs.org/programs/youth-programs/scholarships.

Aureon scholarship

The Aureon Scholarship Program is available to students pursuing a STEM-related course of study after high school graduation and residing in a home with service from an Iowa Independent Telecommunications Company (ITC). The program will award a total of $10,000. Individual scholarships will range from $1,000 to $3,000.

Information on Aureon scholarships is available at https://www.aureon.com/eventpages/aureon-scholarship-program/.

Iowa Communications Alliance scholarships

Next Gen Scholars Program

The Iowa Communications Alliance Next Gen Scholars program was created in response to our member companies need for skilled technicians. This program is available to students planning to pursue either the Network Technology – Telecommunications Certificate or the Network Technology – Telecom/Data Communications AAS Degree. The process begins with recruitment, followed by an application and approval process. After the candidates are approved, the Iowa Communications Alliance, a sponsoring ICA member company, DMACC, and student split the tuition costs for the program. The sponsoring company may offer a mentoring program including paid or unpaid internship opportunities while the student attends DMACC.  Successful completion of the DMACC program usually qualifies graduates for an interview at the sponsoring company with a competitive salary and excellent advancement potential, though there is no guarantee of employment.

Information on the Next Gen Scholars Program is available at https://www.iacommunicationsall.org/ica-scholarship-programs .