Mission/Giving Statement: Among the goals, vision, and values of Plateau is the desire to strengthen rural communities by promoting and building on existing economic and community development. Plateau is philosophically committed to the economic well-being of our area communities. Grants are specific to the Plateau Cooperative service area only.
Grantmaking Program Areas: Nuestro Vecinos "Our Neighbors"; Public Safety Education; Innovation in Schools
Grantmaking Program Area Descriptions:
Nuestros Vecinos: Rural communities are often at a disadvantage in expanding jobs, creating opportunities for new businesses, or retaining existing small business operations. Barriers associated with geographic isolation, low market density, deteriorating infrastructure, and high unemployment rates underscore the need for community development. To better strengthen and develop communities, Plateau has established a matching grant program, “Nuestros Vecinos- Our Neighbors”. Matching grant categories include: Economic development and business administration; Economic development fund; Disaster and emergency assistance; and Community Sponsorships.
Public Safety: Rural public safety agencies are often at a disadvantage in expanding their knowledge and meeting mandated training requirements due to a lack of funds available from the municipalities or counties in which they serve. Most rural communities have volunteers who assist in both fire-fighting and emergency medical response. To assist with the training and educational costs associated with maintaining well-trained and certified law enforcement and fire protection officers, Plateau awards grants to rural communities, municipalities, and public safety departments (whether paid or volunteer) associated with the communities within the Cooperative service area. To better strengthen and develop communities served by the Cooperative, a “no-match” grant fund has been established, “Public Safety Education Grant Fund”, which will award up to $5,000 per award to be used for those purposes described under the eligibility requirements.
Innovation in Schools: Plateau offers opportunities for schools and school personnel within its Cooperative service areas to obtain financial support to improve teaching and learning activities. School districts, individual schools, departments within schools, groups of classroom teachers, or individual teachers may request a grant to a maximum of $5,000 to encourage innovation in teaching with a special emphasis in the use of broadband Internet as a learning tool. Multiple requests from the same school or school district will be considered, as long as the requests are distinctly separate and for different purposes.
Application Instructions: Grant application instructions online.
