Foundation for Rural Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The foundation for rural services (FRS), in cooperation with NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Our vision is to harness the power of the rural communications industry to enrich lives in America.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 43 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 47%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 22
- Highest pay
- $1.2 million, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 43.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 47% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $187,988 spent. Scholarship Program: The foundation annually awards scholarships to an exceptional group of rural students for their first year of college or vocational school. All applicants require sponsorship by an NTCA The Rural Broadband Association member company to be eligible. FRS awarded over $1 million in scholarships since its inception; empowering rural students throughout the country to advance their communities with invaluable skill sets and experiences. (Expenses $ 352,665 including grants of $ 169,472) Other Program Services
- $180,310 spent. Youth Tour: The foundation sponsors an annual tour of Washington, D.C. Approximately one hundred high school students from rural America visit the nation's capital to learn about the telecommunications industry and the legislative process.
- $65,332 spent. Awareness Campaign: The foundation sponsors an ongoing awareness campaign to promote the contribution that small independent broadband companies make to rural communities. The program includes the production of informational mailers geared toward education rural telecommunications customers, an image and awareness campaign that aims to educate state and local decision makers on the value that community based telecom providers bring to the telecom and economic futures of their communities and a series of educational papers aimed at educating decision makers. (Expenses $ 352,665 including grants of $ 169,472) Other Program Services
- $352,665 spent. Other Program Services
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.