More than 1,000 rural communications companies deliver state-of-the-art communications services across rural America. Some operate as cooperatives while others are publicly, privately and family-owned. CoBank and FCL serve both types. 

We contribute to foundations that commit their resources to educating the nation about the communications needs of rural America and to helping rural areas grow. Through the Foundation for Rural Education and Development and the Foundation for Rural Service, we donate funds to bring rural youth to the nation’s capital to learn how they can build support for rural communications efforts.  We also support other national trade associations focused on rural communications, including the Organization for the Protection and Advancement of Small Telephone Companies (OPASTCO), the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the United States Telecom Association (USTA). Members of our communications staff support these organizations and foundations through service on boards, committees and participation in their many programs. 

We’re proud that, partly through our financial and charitable support, communications services in rural areas often surpass that provided by urban systems.