Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program

Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program is sponsored by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) (administered by state entities like Maine Connectivity Authority). Provides funding to states to enable strategies outlined in state Digital Equity Plans, ensuring all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy.

Digital Equity Act Funding Programs | Maine Connectivity As of May 9, 2025: Federal Government Terminates $35M of Funding to Provide Digital Skills and Online Safety for Rural Mainers, Small Businesses, Veterans and Low-Income Residents. Read MCA's Press Release Here. Digital Equity Act Funding Programs The Digital Equity Act provides $2.

75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion : The State Digital Equity Planning Grant The Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Each of these programs is funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and is designed to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy .

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Sr. Manager, Digital Opportunity jperez@maineconnectivity. org The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is the organization in Maine responsible for managing and deploying Digital Equity Act funding through the Planning Grant and Capacity Grant. The Digital Equity Competitive Grant is administered directly by NTIA and is open to other public service organizations in Maine.

The amount of funding available to support digital equity activities is limited, and it is crucial that all partners across the state maximize the impact of these digital equity funds . MCA will provide support to organizations interested in applying for the Competitive Grant Program to ensure applications complement and support Maine's Digital Equity Plan and MCA's related digital equity strategies, activities, and programs.

Planning Grant & Capacity Grant Programs MCA is the eligible entity for these two programs. MCA received $522,000 in initial Planning Grant funds which support local coordination and development of Maine's Digital Equity Plan. ​ ​ The Capacity Grant Program is divided into three separate funding allocations, with Maine's initial allocation of $5.

7 million being approved in December 2024 . The Capacity Grant Program funds will be used by MCA to enable strategies outlined in Maine's Digital Equity Plan. Those activities and funding programs are slated to launch in early 2025.

Competitive Grant Program Eligible entities for this program include Nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments, community anchor institutions, adult education facilities, workforce programs, and other similar organizations in Maine. (MCA is not eligible for these funds.) As of January 2025, two organizations in Maine have been awarded $24.

2 million through the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program : National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) for $13. 7 million and Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) for $11. 1 million .

Competitive Grant Program Technical Assistance Given the short application window and natural connection to MCA's complementary Digital Equity work, MCA offered facilitated space for organizations in Maine interested in collaborating and coordinating their efforts through several upcoming opportunities.

MCA summarized Maine Census tracts and Census Block Groups where more than 50% of the population is 150% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) . Competitive Grant Program applications which target these areas are scored higher based on NTIA guidance. MCA hosted coordination meetings every Wednesday in August from 12pm-1pm over Zoom.

In an effort to support coordination, MCA tracked interest from organization across Maine. Organizations were asked to complete the interest form . NTIA Digital Equity Act Programs The Digital Equity Act provides $2.

75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. They aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Homepage This is the first funding opportunity from the $1.

25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, the third of the three Digital Equity Act programs. The Digital Equity Act provides $2. 75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion.

Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program FAQ The following is the first in a series of FAQ documents intended to provide guidance on information set forth in NTIA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued on July 24, 2024. Following the release of this document, further questions may be submitted to digitalequity@ntia. gov to be considered for inclusion in future FAQ documents.

Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Application Portal The Competitive Grant Program will make funds available to a wide range of entities to address barriers to digital equity. The Competitive Grant Program will support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband among the Covered Populations.