Plateau – Community Donations and Sponsorships (2026)

Financial and In-Kind Support for Schools, Nonprofits, Local Governments, and Community Organizations

Plateau accepts requests for donations and sponsorships from eligible organizations serving communities within its telecommunications service area in eastern New Mexico and West Texas.

The company prioritizes programs and projects that encourage youth, support education, strengthen communities through partnerships, and improve the quality of life in the areas Plateau serves.

Applicants may request a specific cash contribution or donated goods and services. Applications must be submitted at least two weeks before the support is needed.

Organization: Plateau
Support Type: Cash donations, sponsorships, goods, and services
Geographic Focus: Plateau’s service area in eastern New Mexico and West Texas
Application Timeline: Rolling
Minimum Lead Time: At least two weeks before support is needed

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

Plateau is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative serving rural communities in eastern New Mexico and West Texas.

Originally established as the Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative, Plateau has provided communications services to the region for more than 75 years. Its services now include fiber-optic internet, telephone service, business solutions, and other communications technologies.

Plateau supports community projects, school activities, youth programs, local governments, nonprofit organizations, scholarships, and regional economic development efforts.

What This Program Supports

Plateau considers requests for financial contributions, sponsorships, goods, and services that benefit communities within its service area.

Youth Programs

Plateau has historically supported programs and projects that encourage young people and expand opportunities for youth.

Potential requests may include:

• Youth development programs
• Educational activities
• Community-based youth initiatives
• Programs serving children and families
• Youth recreation offered through an eligible organization

Plateau generally does not provide sole sponsorships for individual amateur or professional sports teams.

Education and Schools

Local schools and nonprofit organizations that directly support schools may apply.

Potential requests may include:

• School programs and activities
• Educational events
• Student enrichment programs
• Parent or school-support organizations
• Community education initiatives
• Projects strengthening educational opportunities

Plateau also operates separate education grant and scholarship programs. Applicants should review the company’s Scholarships and Grants page to determine which opportunity is most appropriate.

Community Development

Plateau supports projects that strengthen local communities through partnerships and collaboration.

Potential requests may include:

• Community improvement projects
• Local festivals and civic events
• Regional development initiatives
• Community-building programs
• Projects improving quality of life
• Partnerships involving multiple local organizations

Economic Development

Local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations may request support for qualifying activities that benefit Plateau communities.

Potential requests may include:

• Business and workforce development activities
• Community economic development projects
• Local business events
• Regional promotion initiatives
• Programs supporting rural economic opportunity

Local Government and Public Programs

Local government entities operating within Plateau’s service area may apply for support.

Eligible requests must benefit the community or public entity as a whole rather than an individual employee, official, or department member.

Event Sponsorships

Eligible organizations may request sponsorship support for events that benefit Plateau’s service area.

The application asks organizations to explain:

• The event’s purpose
• Who will benefit
• How the requested support will be used
• Whether other telecommunications companies will participate
• How Plateau will be recognized

Eligible Support Types

Applicants may request:

• A specific cash contribution
• Event sponsorship funding
• Donated goods
• Donated services
• Other community support approved by Plateau

The application requires applicants to identify whether they are seeking cash, goods, or services and to specify the amount or type of support requested.

Eligible Organizations

Plateau identifies the following as potentially eligible:

• Local schools
• Nonprofit organizations that directly support schools
• Local chambers of commerce
• Local economic development organizations
• Local government entities
• Local nonprofit organizations
• Other eligible local 501(c)(3) organizations
• Other eligible local 501(c)(6) organizations

All proceeds from a donation or sponsorship must remain within Plateau’s service area.

Organizations must be tax-exempt and nonprofit unless they are applying as an eligible local government entity.

Geographic Focus

Applicants must be based within Plateau’s service area, and the proposed program must benefit people living in that service area.

Plateau primarily serves rural communities in eastern New Mexico and West Texas. Its New Mexico offices are located in:

• Clovis
• Roswell
• Vaughn
• Fort Sumner
• Santa Rosa
• Clayton
• Logan

Organizations should confirm that they operate within Plateau’s telecommunications service area before applying. Simply being located in New Mexico or Texas does not necessarily establish eligibility.

The request should also demonstrate a meaningful connection to Plateau and the communities the cooperative serves.

Program Qualifications

To receive consideration:

• The program or project must benefit the requesting organization or entity as a whole.
• The program must benefit people within Plateau’s service area.
• The request must be relevant to Plateau and its community presence.
• The request must be submitted in writing on the organization’s official letterhead.
• A completed Plateau Donation/Sponsorship Application must accompany the request.
• The application must be completed in full.
• The request must be submitted at least two weeks before support is needed.
• A completed IRS Form W-9 must be provided if the request is approved.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Ineligible Requests

Plateau does not generally support:

• Political organizations, political parties, or candidates
• Election campaigns
• Requests supporting elected officials
• Organizations with a strictly religious focus
• For-profit businesses
• Organizations located outside Plateau’s service area
• Individuals
• Travel or travel-related expenses
• Individual amateur or professional sports teams
• Events or organizations that heavily promote alcohol or tobacco products
• Organizations that discriminate based on age, sex, race, color, national origin, religion, or creed

Plateau reserves the right to approve or decline any request at its discretion.

Funding Amounts

Plateau does not publish standard donation or sponsorship amounts.

Applicants requesting cash must specify the amount sought. Organizations requesting goods or services must provide a clear description of what is needed.

The amount and form of support may depend on:

• The purpose of the request
• The number of people who will benefit
• The program’s relevance to Plateau
• The applicant’s location
• The proposed recognition for Plateau
• Available company resources
• Plateau’s previous involvement with the organization
• The number of requests under consideration

Applicants should submit a focused and reasonable request supported by a clear budget or sponsorship package.

Timeline and Review

📅 Application Timeline: Rolling / ongoing
📅 Minimum Lead Time: At least two weeks before support is needed
📅 Recommended Lead Time: Submit four to six weeks in advance when possible
📅 Decision Timeline: Not published

Plateau states that it will make every effort to respond to requests in a timely manner.

The two-week requirement should be treated as the minimum. Organizations planning major events or requesting significant funding should apply earlier.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a written request on the organization’s official letterhead along with the completed Plateau Donation/Sponsorship Application.

The application requests:

• Application date
• Deadline for a response
• Event date and location
• Type of event
• Organization name and mailing address
• Contact name and title
• Phone number and email address
• Type of request
• Specific cash amount requested
• Description of requested goods or services
• Information about Plateau’s previous participation
• Description of the organization or event
• Explanation of how the support will be used
• Description of who will benefit
• Information about alcohol or tobacco at the event
• Information about other participating communications companies
• Proposed recognition for Plateau

A completed IRS Form W-9 is required after funding is approved.

Application Process

Completed applications and written requests should be directed to:

Office of Public Affairs
Plateau
P.O. Box 1947
Clovis, NM 88102-1947

Phone: 575-389-4387
Fax: 575-389-5245
Email: publicaffairs@plateautel.com

Applicants should retain a copy of the completed application and all submitted materials.

Apply / Learn More

➡️ Review Plateau’s Donation and Sponsorship Guidelines

➡️ Download the Plateau Donation/Sponsorship Application

Organizations may also review Plateau’s other grant programs:

➡️ View Plateau Scholarships and Grants

Tips for a Strong Request

A competitive request should clearly explain:

• The organization’s mission and local role
• The community need being addressed
• The specific communities served
• How many people will benefit
• The exact cash amount, goods, or services requested
• How the contribution will be used
• Why the request is relevant to Plateau
• How Plateau will be recognized
• Whether Plateau has supported the organization previously
• Whether other telecommunications companies are participating

Applicants should emphasize direct benefits to Plateau’s service-area residents rather than broad statewide or national impact.

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity may be a strong fit for organizations that:

• Are based within Plateau’s service area
• Serve rural communities in eastern New Mexico or West Texas
• Operate as a school, nonprofit, chamber of commerce, economic development organization, or local government
• Support youth, education, community development, or economic opportunity
• Are seeking cash, sponsorship funding, goods, or services
• Can demonstrate a clear connection to Plateau
• Can submit a complete request at least two weeks in advance
• Can offer appropriate recognition for Plateau’s support

Plateau’s Donation and Sponsorship Program is best suited for locally rooted organizations whose programs directly improve quality of life within the cooperative’s service area.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling review
Minimum Lead Time: At least two weeks
Recommended Lead Time: Four to six weeks
Support Provided: Cash donations, sponsorships, goods, and services
Funding Amount: Not published
Eligible Applicants: Local schools, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and government entities
Geographic Priority: Plateau’s service area in eastern New Mexico and West Texas
Best Suited For: Youth, education, civic, community development, and economic development programs
Important Requirement: Submit a written request on official letterhead with the completed application