How can nonprofits secure room on local community nets?

Summary:

Each one is different. Talking to the organizers is the shortest path.

Participate in discussions! Time is in short supply, certainly. If you,
as an executive director or officer of a NPO, do not have time, enlist a
computer guru that understands NPOs to represent your organization and
others. Whoever does it should attend relevant local meetings and
monitor appropriate discussion groups and lists. You can probably find
out what is going on locally by talking the folks in the computer or
information technology departments at local universities or at local
computer clubs.

See also http://www.idealist.org/npofaq/6/8.html