Implementation of Adopted Rules for Community Based Organizations pursuant to Commission Decisions 15-07-007 and 18-01-006 on August 3, 2018

Beginning August 3, 2018, Community Based Organizations (CBO) applicants will be evaluated based on the revised rules and criteria adopted in Decision (D)15.07.007 and D.18.01.006.

  • “Educational Instruction” is defined as “regular, ongoing, preschool or K-12 academic educational or instructional programs that can also include ESL and language education, literacy, job training, technology instructions, and information on public benefit and social services programs eligibility and access.”
  • Religious organizations providing early childhood or K-12 education are excluded from qualification under the CBO Educational Instruction category and instead should require application by these entities to meet categorical qualification requirements under “Non-profit, private” schools.
  • Religious organizations that otherwise meet the CBO requirements by providing other qualifying services may apply for California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) participation as a CBO.

Each CBO must meet the following requirements:

  • Have revenues of less than $5 million, except for 2-1-1 CBOs or Health care CBOs. Individual local chapters of large CBOs may apply as a local individual organization if it operates below the $5 million revenue threshold.
  • Provides its community access to the internet – except for 2-1-1 CBOs or Health care CBOs.
  • Provides services directly to individuals at specific geographic locations.
  • Demonstrate that a majority of the board members reside within the state or are members of the community of interest served by the CBO (such as disability).
  • Demonstrate that it provides its services to the community without charge or with a fee structure that includes discounted or subsidized rates.
  • Demonstrate that services are provided directly to the community or through some closely related indirect assistance. “Indirect Assistance” means providing assistance on site to those unable to do so because of disability or limited English proficiency.
  • Internet access for purely administrative purposes continues to be prohibited.
  • Religious organizations must meet all the CBO criteria above and provide qualifying services through a separate legal entity that files a separate federal income tax return.
  • 2-1-1 information and referral providers will continue to be eligible as approved by Commission resolution.

Each CBO must be able to provide the following:

  •  IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt letter.
  •  IRS Form 990 or other financial statements and attestation, if they do not have a Form 990 or if the Form 990 is inadequate.

CBOs providing Healthcare must meet the following requirements:

  • Have annual revenues of less than $50 million.
  • The licensed medical personnel that are required to be on site must provide Healthcare services to patients and not just provide administrative services.
  • Eligible Healthcare shall include those covered by any Californian medical insurance or government funded medical plan such as Medi-Cal, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs insurance, and/or provides services without charge or at a minimal fee.

Please visit the California-Teleconnect-Fund main page for additional resources and information on how to apply.

For any additional information you may contact Karo Serle, Regulatory Analyst for the California Teleconnect Fund, at Karo.Serle@cpuc.ca.gov.