The portion of the project or program costs that are not paid by the funding agency. If the award is federal, only non-federal expenses qualify as cost sharing. Most broadband grant programs require between 25% to 50% matching capital. Common private match capital sources include equity, debt, and forward-receivables purchases.

For more information about match capital including capital providers, see the Match Capital channel.

Notes 

Sub-grantees are required to provide a contribution of at least 25% derived from non-Federal funds (or funds from a Federal regional commission or authority), except in high-cost areas. Waivers to match can be granted at the discretion of NTIA.

Eligible Sources 

While most applicants will get their match capital from their own balance sheet, or through a combination of equity and / or debt investors, the match may also be provided by the State, a unit of local government, a utility company, a cooperative, a nonprofit organization, a for-profit company, regional planning or governmental organization, a Federal regional commission or authority, or an combination thereof.

May include in-kind contributions and may include funds that were provided to an Eligible Entity or sub-grantee under

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• The CARES Act
• Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021
• The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
• Any amendment made by an Act described above

For definition, Federal regional commission or authority means:

• Appalachian Regional Commission
• Delta Regional Authority
• Denali Commission
• Northern Border Regional Commission