Digital Inclusion Fund

Digital Inclusion Fund is sponsored by Kansas City Digital Drive. Supports digital inclusion initiatives to increase participation in digital society for underserved Kansas City residents.

Digital Inclusion Fund | Kansas City Digital Drive Digital Inclusion Fund | Kansas City Digital Drive Charitable fund led by KC Digital Drive and administered at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation A MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITY Driving toward digital equity in the KC region Based on findings from a recent funding landscape analysis white paper , KC Digital Drive is leading the fund’s relaunch effort in 2024 to support 501(c)(3) public charities, educational or governmental entities that focus on digital inclusion access, affordability and adoption to increase participation in digital society for Kansas City’s most underserved and/or disconnected residents.

Initial funding is from the Health Forward Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation and Google Fiber.

The Fund is a charitable fund led by KC Digital Drive and administered at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation with an Advisory Council that includes Dred Scott, President, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City; CiCi Rojas, President, Tico Productions; Adriana Pecina, Impact Strategist, Health Forward Foundation; Rachel Merlo, Head of Government and Community Affairs (Central + OC, CA), GFiber; and Aaron Deacon, Managing Director, KC Digital Drive.

In 2024, the Fund will grant up to $250,000 across 3 funding cycles in these areas: Devices – applications open June 3 I. T. Support – applications open August 1 New Courses – applications open October 1 Each cycle has its own request for applications, application requirements and evaluation criteria.

KC Digital Drive will provide applicant support through informational events, office hours and 1:1 assistance leading up to each grant cycle; and will provide tech support, and evaluation and reporting assistance to all grantees. To learn more and apply online, visit kcdif. org .

Devices Grants Application Support: Office Hours Thursdays 9-11am at Park39 June 4 to July 11; Contact Leah Henriksen at lhenriksen at kcdigitaldrive dot org for more information.

Originally established in 2013 to address digital literacy and technology access, the Fund provided just under $1 million to 33 grantees over 5 cycles with funding from Google Fiber (or GFiber), the Sprint Foundation, The Illig Family Foundation, Polsinelli, Global Prairie and JE Dunn. For many KC families, getting to workforce resources is the first obstacle.

Phoenix Family and MERS Goodwill are removing that barrier by bringing Goodwill’s Mobile Workforce Unit directly into Phoenix Family’s multifamily communities, meeting residents where they already are and on their schedule. This month’s Kansas City Coalition meeting celebrated the vital role that libraries play in digital inclusion, showcasing partnerships that enhance digital access and skills training.

Highlights include the Kansas City libraries’ diverse initiatives, Scholar Smarts’ dynamic after-school programs, and an AT&T device distribution opportunity requiring collaborative coordination. Upcoming activities and innovative courses in digital and financial literacy for communities highlight the combined efforts in forwarding digital inclusion in Kansas City.

Devices are essential to everyday life, especially for students earning a degree. Donnelly College, an affordable and accessible Catholic college based in Kansas City, KS, serves students who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education, many on financial aid and Pell Grants. For these students, access to a personal device isn’t a given.

Through the DLX Device Access Program in Kansas, Donnelly is making sure their students have the technology, connectivity, and support they need to succeed in school and beyond. There are no upcoming events scheduled.