Metropolis of Seattle awards $590,000 in digital fairness grants to 19 non-profits

The City of Seattle revealed the 19 non-profits that received its latest round of digital grants, this year totaling $590,000.

The annual grant program supports non-profit organizations that help bridge the digital divide. The program is one branch of Seattle’s Digital Equity Initiative.

The city’s Technology Matching Fund grant offers up to $25,000 if projects are completed within a year and applicants match at least 25% of their request with cash, time, or other contributions.

The new Digital Navigator Cohort grants up to $50,000 for projects that are completed within 18 months; they do not require a community match.

The organizations all offer skills training for those disproportionately affected by the digital divide. Continue reading to learn about the award recipients.

Technology Matching Fund winners

• Digital Bridge prepares participants for careers by providing multilingual training courses, digital literacy skills, and access to technology for no/low-income residents, refugees, and immigrants.
• Evolving Creative Connections facilitates digital connectivity by providing hardware, working with providers, and offering digital literacy training and skill building for no/low-income adults.
• Digital Training & Technical Assistance for Women empowers women by providing laptops, personal technical assistance, and in-depth digital literacy skills training to increase online learning capabilities.
• Mini Mart City Park Digital Infrastructure is a community-led cultural center equipped with digital components, designed to support community members through public events, programs, and workshops.
• The YWCA Laptop Loan to Own offers digital literacy education and a “loan to own” laptop program that will enable limited-English-speaking residents, immigrants, refugees, and BIPOC residents to use and eventually keep the laptops.
• Technology for All will expand the use of PROVAIL’s Technology Lab and Adaptive Technology Lending Library services to increase digital access for individuals with disabilities.
• Connect the Day Center and Transitional House serves clients and staff by using technology to connect with resources in employment, housing, mental health and substance abuse referrals, and more.
• Digital Equity for New Refugees and Immigrants equips refugees and immigrants with necessary digital tools and skills to become part of the community.
• The Information Highway Onramping program provides training in basic digital operations and culturally relevant skills to BIPOC community members involved in justice.
• The Technology Education and Employment Navigation Empowerment Project aims to launch a workshop series that serves BIPOC and low-income youth with digital and job market literacy skills, resources, and a supportive community through guidance for employment opportunities.
• DIGITIZE Youth Programming offers workshops for youth of color to learn basic coding, design, digital literacy concepts, self-expression, and project management.
• Khmer Community Connects hopes to support low-income and refugee Khmer families by providing tablets, WiFi, and “Tech Support Buddies”
• Helping Link offers a digital literacy program and devices to support Vietnamese Americans and limited-English students.
• SIFF is helping BIPOC youth with Crash Mobile — free filmmaking workshops where students learn digital media skills, create short films relevant to their community, and increase their technical proficiency.

Digital Navigator Cohort winners

• The Multimedia Resources and Training Institute will continue to work against digital adoption barriers for low-income BIPOC residents, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and other more. It will provide computing devices, affordable connectivity, and digital skills training through multilingual one-on-one or small group assistance.
• The Eritrean Association will support Eritreans of all ages by providing referrals, internet access, and assistance in digital navigation and troubleshooting. It aims to increase technological capacity for East African residents so they can access essential services, health opportunities, employment benefits, civic engagement opportunities, and more.
• Villa Comunitaria will serve people with limited access to essential services by offering technical assistance and expertise on the internet, devices, and digital skills. This will be done through one-on-one and small group workshops to provide culturally appropriate assistance.
• The Somali Community Services of Seattle will help Somali community members without access to financial resources or educational capacity for digital technology. Participants will be supported in receiving online access, devices, skills, and troubleshooting.
• The Kin On Health Care Center has designed a technology program targeted for Asian seniors to strengthen technology skills and increase digital access. With the help of community volunteers from technology companies, its Home Technology Service will support residents in southeast Seattle with setup, troubleshooting, one-on-one instruction, and online security.