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Geographical Area Served:

The service of areas of BCTC which includes the cities of:
  • Rice
  • Ramey
  • Gilman
  • Foreston
  • Milaca
  • Bock

Also eligible will be the impact areas of Benton, Stearns, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec Counties. The granting in these areas must impact the direct service area in some fashion.

First Time Grant Writers:

The Foundation urges all those interested to considering applying for a grant whether or not they are professional grant writers. Although we urge you to follow the grant guidelines carefully, we encourage those who have a compelling cause to submit a proposal and we will be sensitive especially to first time grant seekers.

You may wish to visit the Minnesota Council on Foundations for helpful tips on preparing a successful grant application. Visit them at: www.mcf.org

Grant Guidelines

Please consider the following when making application.

Areas of Interest:

The foundation emphasizes grant making in the following areas:


Healthy Living:

Programs and initiatives which promote an integrated approach to healing and wellness including the mind, body, heart and spirit.


Basic Human Needs and Services:

Programs and initiatives which provide funds and assistance to suffering individuals and families who may need the following due to poverty, illness, sudden loss of property, or the result of a natural or civic disaster.


Educational and Personal Development:

Programs and initiatives for youth and adults leading to personal growth, societal impact and a deeper understanding of the world and its' diverse cultures.


Community Development:

Programs designed to develop and improve communities, with an emphasis on the municipalities located in Benton County, Minnesota.

Types and Amounts of Grants Awarded

Benton Telecommunications Foundation awards grants up to $25,000.
For requests under $2,000 the Small Grant Application is required.   
For requests over $2,000 a 50% match and the Full Grant Application is required.


Factors Considered

The Foundation considers the following factors in review of applications:

  1. The potential benefit of the proposed activities of the particular population to be served and to the community as a whole.
  2. The capacity of the organization or individual to achieve the desired results.
  3. The adequacy of the projected budget and time period for achieving the desired results.
  4. The likelihood of future support for ongoing operating costs from other sources.
  5. The level of financial need of people whose circumstances may be the result of a natural, civil or personal disaster.
  6. Others factors which are deemed relevant by the Foundation and are reasonable related to the charitable purposes of the Foundation.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are the following:

  1. A 501 (C) (3) organization
  2. A federal, state or local governmental agency or board.
  3. Other organizations described in Internal Revenue Code Section 170 (b) (1) (A)
  4. Priority will be given to those projects who are directly within the Benton Cooperative Telephone Company service delivery area. Proposals within the counties served and having an impact on the people in the direct service area will also be considered.

Ineligible Projects/Programs:

Benton Telecommunications Foundation does not fund the following: