In the Kansas City metro area, 158,000 (19%) of households do not have a desktop or laptop computer at home – a full 25% fewer than higher-income households. Seventeen percent of low-income individuals rely solely on smartphones, as compared to 5% of other individuals. Not having a home computer is a critical barrier to pursuing education, developing workforce skills, and accessing healthcare.
While many community organizations work tirelessly to support the individuals and families they serve, they often lack the resources to provide the technology that can make a significant difference in their clients’ lives. The KC Digital Inclusion Fund Devices Grants program aims to address this gap by providing much-needed electronic devices to those who need them most.
The KC Digital Inclusion Fund Advisory Council recently awarded grants to 11 eligible nonprofits to be able to purchase devices for their students, social service clients, older adults, patients, residents, parishioners, members, and parents.
The awardees demonstrated a clear need for technological support and a strong plan for integrating these devices into their programs to maximize impact to an outside review panel made up of entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and corporate professionals.
2024 Devices Grantees
- Black Family Technology Awareness Association
- City in Motion Dance Theater, Inc.
- Footprints, Inc.
- Hispanic Economic Development Corporation
- Hope Family Care Center
- Journey to New Life
- Latinx Education Collaborative
- Partnership for Regional Educational Preparation-KC (PREPKC)
- Phoenix Family
- Urban Technology Empowered Communities (Urban TEC)
- Welcome Wellness Health Education Resource Center
“The large number of applicants with the requested amount far exceeding the available funding shows a widespread and deeply affecting need,” said Aaron Deacon, Managing Director at KC Digital Drive and a member of the Fund’s Advisory Council.
“We started with the Devices Grant when we relaunched the Fund in June because they are essential to connecting people to digital opportunities. Without a device, you’re simply left out of the digital economy,” Deacon said.
Applications were reviewed by an outside panel of respected nonprofit and corporate professionals familiar with the challenges of the digital divide. “It’s apparent that the digital gap is still quite wide for many of our communities, and I am motivated by the like-minded organizations and leaders who continue to collaborate and work together to lessen that divide. Being a part of the review and selection process was greatly impactful to me, as I always seek to better understand the needs of our region.” – Kaylee Peile, Director of Development at Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology.
By the numbers:
- 43 organizations applied for funding
- $592,482 total funds requested
- 1,318 devices requested in total
- $75,000 in total funding to 11 grantee organizations
KC Digital Drive leads the Fund, administered by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation with an Advisory Council, and helped to raise the initial funding of $175,000 provided by Health Forward Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation, and GFiber (Google Fiber). Two additional grant cycles will be funded later this year, including I.T. support and new digital skills courses.
About the KC Digital Inclusion Fund
The KC Digital Inclusion Fund supports 501(c)(3) 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 support is from the Health Forward Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation and GFiber (Google Fiber). For more information and to apply, visit kcdif.org.
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