MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission) today awarded $493,616 in funding from the Universal Service Fund Nonprofit Access Grant Program to 12 recipients. The grants were awarded to nonprofit groups that will carry out programs or projects that will facilitate affordable access to telecommunications for low-income households, people with disabilities, or customers in areas of the state that have relatively high costs of services in obtaining affordable access to essential telecommunications services.
“Nonprofit organizations serve their communities in meaningful ways, connecting Wisconsinites to critical services and resources—the Nonprofit Access Grant Program awards will sustain this work by making telecommunications services more affordable and accessible,” said PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “I congratulate all grant recipients and thank them for their continued service to our state.”
The Nonprofit Access Grant Program is funded through the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund (USF), which provides funding to help Wisconsin residents access essential telecommunications services.
The Public Service Commission began accepting Nonprofit Access Grant Program applications for Fiscal Year 2023 on January 4, 2023. A total of 26 applications requesting $1,486,104.21 were received by the Commission.
Since 2016, the Commission has awarded more than $3.5 million to 117 projects to carry out the Nonprofit Access Grant Program. Prior grant awards have been used to purchase devices and provide digital skills training to support economic stability, employment, and healthcare access for low-income households. Another prior award provided phones and service for people experiencing domestic violence, as the devices provided them with a private and consistent mode of communication. Other grants have supported improved internet access for after school programs and technology educational programming for Wisconsin residents with hearing loss.
More information can be found on the Nonprofit Access Grant Program webpage.
Click here for a list of this year’s grant recipients.