California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) Program: Application Checklists

In past blog posts, we have reviewed what the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program is, how discounts work, application categories, eligible services, discount start date, and recertification. We have also shared with you how to navigate the new eCAP website to submit your application. In this blog post we will give you the details on what information and documentation you need to submit your application.

If you are a K-12 school, here is a checklist of the information you will need to submit for your CTF application:

K-12 School Checklist: 

• Name of Applicant and Mailing Address

• Type of School (public, non-profit private school, public charter school)

• The Sponsoring School District/County Office of Education (if applicant is a charter school)

• If applicant is a non-profit private school, the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) indicated on the applicant's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax exempt letter

• County-District-School (CDS) Code (if you do not know your CDS code, you can find it here)

• Whether you are requesting the CTF discount for mobile broadband services

If you are a non-profit private school, there is additional documentation you will be asked to provide. You will need to submit the following documents with your CTF application:

Additional Checklist for Non-Profit Private Schools:

• IRS 501c3 Tax Exempt Letter

• Financials Document

• IRS Form 990 Exempt Letter

• Pro Forma Form 990 - Organizations that are not required to file IRS Form 990 with the IRS or that file some other form—such as the IRS Forms 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF—must submit a pro forma IRS Form 990. The following items must be completed on the pro forma IRS Form 990:

  • Page 1, Items A-M

  • Part I, Summary, Lines 1-4 only

  • Part II, Signature Block

  • Part VII, Compensation - Section A only

  • Part VIII, Statement of Revenues

  • Part IX, Statement of Functional Expenses

  • Part XII, Financial Statements and Reporting

Community-Based Organization (CBOs) also have the opportunity to receive CTF discounts. As long as the site applying has a reported revenue of less than $5 million, it is eligible. Here is the additional information you will need to provide if you are a CBO applying for one or more sites. 

Additional Checklist for Community-Based Organizations: 

• A list of the services that your organization provides to the community

• Total workforce average monthly hours for management tasks, plus general administrative tasks and fundraising tasks

•  A description of the organization's mission and services to the community

• Service Hour Sheet(s): A Service Hours Sheet for each service the applicant provides to the community. Information needed for this section:

  • Service

  • Service Location

  • Community Served

  • Schedule and Duration

  • Fees

  • Average Monthly Service Hours

  • Communication Service

  • Internet Connected Devices Providing Service

• Board of Directors - Information needed for this section (for each member):

  • First and Last Name

  • City

  • State

• IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(d) Tax-Exempt Letter Document

• IRS Form 990 or CA Franchise Tax Board 199 Document

For more information, please visit the California Public Utilities Commission website here.

For help with applying for CTF or E-Rate, telecom optimization audits, or telecom project management, reach out to us at HWC Consultants!