The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) on Monday announced that applications are open for grant funding to improve the availability and affordability of telecommunications services to Wisconsin residents. The grant funding opportunities include the Nonprofit Access Grant Program and the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program. Both grant programs are funded by the Universal Service Fund to help Wisconsinites access essential telecommunications services.
The Nonprofit Access Grant Program provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations to facilitate affordable access to telecommunication services for low-income households, people with disabilities, and customers in areas with relatively high costs of services. This round of the program will have a two-year performance period, and the commission may award a total of $500,000 in grants. Applications are due on March 6 at 1:30 p.m.
The Lifeline Outreach Grant Program improves participation in the Lifeline Program, which helps address affordability challenges by providing a discount on telecommunication services like internet and phone for low-income households. Nonprofit organizations, community-based agencies, institutions of higher education, local and Tribal governments, and for-profit businesses are eligible to apply for the grant program. The commission may award up to $250,000 in grants. Applications are due on March 26 at 1:30 p.m.
