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Our 2013 Programs run from October 2012 - September 2013 and are open to communities in the service area of small, independent telecommunications companies (former OPASTCO members). For more information on 2014 programs, please check back in September for eligibility.

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Ethyl Grants
The Ethyl Grant program teams with OPASTCO member companies to provide matching grants to fund projects aimed at bettering their communities. The grants, ranging from $500 - $2,500, are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year and must be matched by the community. There are two types of Ethyl Grants that may be awarded, the Educational Grant and the Community Development Grant. This matching grant program focuses on ways rural communities can work together to meet a collective need. Grants have been used for projects such as building wheelchair ramps and accessible bathrooms in a local baseball park, purchasing a school’s first Smart Board for their classrooms, and creating a safe playing environment for school-age children. Bennet & Bennet, PLLC and Ericsson are the sponsors of the 2013 Ethyl Grant Program.

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Scholarships
Each year, FRED awards $75,000 in scholarships to rural America's most accomplished and intelligent students. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000, and are funded by the FRED Scholarship Endowment and donations to FRED’s Annual Giving Campaign. The Everette Kneece Return to Rural America Scholarship honors Mr. Kneece's vital and pioneering efforts on behalf of FRED, and awards $5,000 to the year's top applicant.

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Technology Grant
One of the most popular and competitive FRED programs, the Technology Grants for Rural Schools program, was created to help meet the growing need for innovative technology in the classroom. The grants strive to help public schools, served by OPASTCO members, connect to high speed broadband, bring modern computers to every classroom, and ensure effective, engaging software and online resources are an integral part of the curriculum. By actively engaging rural students with the latest technology, they are better prepared for college and the workforce. The program runs annually and awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Applications for 2013 will be available in June 2013 with a deadline of late November 2013.

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Program Archives:
Leadership Through Learning Program
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