Deadline: 14-Jul-24
The Baltimore Civic Fund is now accepting applications for the Digital Equity Fund to support the creation of community-led digital inclusion plans and provide funding for communities to bring those plans to life.
The Digital Equity Fund is led by the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE), a division of the Baltimore City Office of Information and Technology.
Purpose
- Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in the society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.
- Digital inclusion activities are those intended to ensure all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy. If digital equity is the goal, digital inclusion is how they get there.
- The purpose of the DEF is to support community-led digital equity outreach, digital inclusion planning and implementation. This subsequent cycle will focus on providing digital education training, digital inclusion programming and initiatives in low digital inclusion communities throughout the City of Baltimore.
Grant Categories
- Round two of the Digital Equity Fund will invest in initiatives across three different grant categories to help address gaps in digital literacy and skills.
- Tier 1: Digital Literacy Education Training (up to $200,000) – Grants will support initiatives under two sub-tiers: Tier 1A – digital literacy education for older adults; Tier 1B – digital literacy education for the wider community in support of tech hubs at recreation centers in underserved areas. Skill areas might include computer basics, using the internet, and digital skills for job seekers.
- Tier 2: Advanced Digital Education and IT Fundamentals Programming (up to $200,000) – Grants will support initiatives providing IT fundamental skills training and certification to Baltimore City residents interested in a career in IT. Programming must include opportunities for residents to earn industry-recognized IT certifications. For example, Cisco IT Essentials, including CISCO ITE certification and/or A+ certification, CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+), Net+, and Security+.
- Tier 3: Digital Creatives and Virtual Makerspaces Programming (up to $200,000) – Grants will support initiatives providing education and programming for digital creatives and virtual makerspaces at local recreation centers throughout Baltimore City. Grantees can use this tier of funding for classes and workshops for digital creatives, and special events to help develop skills in coding, digital media creation, robotics, video editing, and 3D printing.
Eligible Digital Inclusion Activities
- Grant applicants should select 1-3 activities from this list to incorporate into their project proposal:
- Increasing resident confidence level with technological devices and/or internet use
- Providing digital education services
- Integrating workforce development with digital education
- School- or recreation center-based, before or after-school programs for students with digital education missions (excluding digital components of a traditional after-school program)
- Senior center-based programs with digital education focus
- Providing anchor institution-based programs for digital education for adults, seniors, and other non-traditional students
- Providing digital education programs to reduce online and telephone scams
- Introducing new technology to target populations in low digital inclusion communities (e.g., Seniors using virtual reality technology to learn a new skill or enjoy an activity)
- Increasing digital employment access
Geographic Focus
- The DEF will only fund Baltimore City-based organizations.
Target Population
- Program activities must address the needs of those left behind in the digital age, including:
- Residents of low digital equity communities;
- People with disabilities;
- Older adults;
- Immigrants and non-English speakers;
- Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group;
- Returning citizens;
- LGBTQIA+ Youth;
- People experiencing homelessness; and
- Families with children under five (5).
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations (or their fiscal agents) serving Baltimore City residents that qualify as public charities under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, political persuasion, age, physical handicap, gender or sexual orientation including:
- A community anchor institution;
- Schools and educational agencies;
- An entity that carries out a workforce development program; or
- A partnership between any of the entities above.
- Potential grantees should:
- Showcase a history or demonstrate an ability to reach and engage members from communities in priority zip codes; and
- Have a plan for engaging the target populations.
Ineligible
- The following are not eligible for grant funding:
- Individuals, state or federal government agencies, or for-profit organizations or businesses.
- Requests for support that do not meet the eligibility requirements.
- Activities that include reselling or monetizing products or services funded by the Digital Equity Fund grant award.
- Proposed programming that has fees for participants.
- Activities that improperly discriminate as to race, gender, marital status, sexual preference, age, disability, creed or ethnicity, or grants for religious indoctrination or other religious activities.
- Activities outside Baltimore City and not in support of Baltimore City residents.
For more information, visit Baltimore Civic Fund.
