Contact: Lauren Gaydos, (703) 351-2015
Arlington, Va., (November 9, 2021)— The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) today announced that longtime FRS champion Carri Bennet has made the largest ever individual donation to the foundation in its 27-year history.
Bennet, who served as the FRS Board chair in 2019, is donating more than $70,000 to create the Carri Bennet Rural Economic Development Grant Fund at FRS. The invested fund will generate annual awards for rural economic development as part of the FRS Community Grant Program, which partners with NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association members to support nonprofit organizations in rural communities. The grants range from $250 to $5,000 and are used to create opportunities through economic development projects, broaden health care options, improve educational technology, expand emergency services, and more.
In addition to her service on the FRS Board from 2015 to 2019, Bennet is an active member of the Women in Telecom group to support women leaders in the broadband industry and previously served on NTCA’s Legal Committee and as Chair of NTCA’s Associate Member Advisory Committee. Bennet is a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson and an expert in wireless and broadband issues.
“I am fortunate to be in a position to give back to the rural communities that have made my career and life purposeful, said Carri Bennet. “I will continue to be a zealous advocate for bringing broadband to rural and remote areas so that rural communities can grow and prosper. The FRS Community Grants dovetails with my vision and passion to strengthen rural America, which in turn strengthens all of America.”
“On behalf of NTCA and FRS, I want to thank Carri for this incredibly generous gift,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “FRS Community Grants have enabled real change and growth in rural communities across the country, and we are honored to have this commitment from Carri for this tremendous program. Thank you Carri for all that you do for FRS and for our industry!”
“Carri continues to be a remarkable leader for FRS and is a perfect example of how we can each take an extra step to support the programs we’re passionate about. It was during her tenure as Chair of the board that FRS decided to really focus on growing the Community Grant Program and to have FRS launch the concept of planned giving. Our rural communities thank you, Carri,” said FRS Board Chair Keith Gabbard.
“Carri is a person of action who inspires me and FRS Board members to keep pushing and growing the foundation. She is always looking for ways to expand the reach of FRS, so that rural communities can thrive. FRS is lucky to have her in our family,” said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker.
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The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS partners with NTCA members to educate rural youth, encourage community development and introduce policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. Visit us at www.frs.org.
NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. In an era of transformative technological advancements, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are leading the technological evolution for rural consumers, delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture and education, and it contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.