PSC approves $500,000 round of USF nonprofit access grants, awards partial funding to United Way of Wisconsin
March 20, 2026 | Public Service Commission, State Agencies, Executive, Wisconsin
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The Public Service Commission on March 19 approved $500,000 in nonprofit access grants from the Universal Service Fund (USF), awarding funds to the top 15 merit-ranked applicants and partially funding United Way of Wisconsin.
Chair Strand, introducing docket 5-NF-2026, said the program exists under Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 160.125 to help low-income customers, people with disabilities and residents in high-cost areas gain affordable access to telecommunications. Staff opened the FY2026 round on Dec. 4, 2025 and received 41 applications requesting $2,360,472.17; one application was screened out as ineligible, Chair Strand said.
A staff screening panel scored the remaining 40 applications on project purpose and need, impact, implementation and budget. The panel proposed three alternatives to allocate the $500,000. Under the option the commission adopted (Alternative 1), awards would go to the 14 highest-ranked applicants accounting for $423,377, and the remaining $76,623 would be applied as a partial award to the 15th-ranked applicant, United Way of Wisconsin. Chair Strand and Commissioner Nieto both said United Way’s statewide reach and matching contributions made the partial award appropriate; Commissioner Hawkins also supported Alternative 1.
Commissioners emphasized the volume of applications as evidence of strong outreach by commission staff and noted that demand greatly exceeded available funds after the termination of a separate federal digital equity grant program in May 2025. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript; Commissioner Nieto moved to approve the awards consistent with staff recommendations, a motion seconded and approved by voice vote.
The commission’s approval directs staff to finalize award amounts as indicated in appendix 1 of the commission memo and to proceed with grant administration under existing program rules. The decision does not change statutory eligibility criteria; it implements the commission’s discretion to prioritize applications that best serve the public interest given limited funds.
The commission proceeded to other agenda items after the vote.
Chair Strand, introducing docket 5-NF-2026, said the program exists under Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 160.125 to help low-income customers, people with disabilities and residents in high-cost areas gain affordable access to telecommunications. Staff opened the FY2026 round on Dec. 4, 2025 and received 41 applications requesting $2,360,472.17; one application was screened out as ineligible, Chair Strand said.
A staff screening panel scored the remaining 40 applications on project purpose and need, impact, implementation and budget. The panel proposed three alternatives to allocate the $500,000. Under the option the commission adopted (Alternative 1), awards would go to the 14 highest-ranked applicants accounting for $423,377, and the remaining $76,623 would be applied as a partial award to the 15th-ranked applicant, United Way of Wisconsin. Chair Strand and Commissioner Nieto both said United Way’s statewide reach and matching contributions made the partial award appropriate; Commissioner Hawkins also supported Alternative 1.
Commissioners emphasized the volume of applications as evidence of strong outreach by commission staff and noted that demand greatly exceeded available funds after the termination of a separate federal digital equity grant program in May 2025. No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript; Commissioner Nieto moved to approve the awards consistent with staff recommendations, a motion seconded and approved by voice vote.
The commission’s approval directs staff to finalize award amounts as indicated in appendix 1 of the commission memo and to proceed with grant administration under existing program rules. The decision does not change statutory eligibility criteria; it implements the commission’s discretion to prioritize applications that best serve the public interest given limited funds.
The commission proceeded to other agenda items after the vote.
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