Corporate Sponsorships are likely their best bet. I'd wager their membership fees don't even come close to breaking even for operations and equipment maintenance, let alone new equipment.

Consolidated Communications was generous enough to provide a free symmetrical gigabit fiber connection to their Sacramento location. They need money though, from the sound of it... not free gear and services.

I wonder if they explored or approached Intel, who has a significant campus in the Folsom area. VSP is another major player in the Sacramento area.