Potential Funding Streams

There are many possible funding streams available to assist nonprofit organizations in the creation of programs to enhance access and education in communities across the state.

Federal Grants
At the federal level there are three grants available that would be directly applicable to the work of the Digital Divide Council: the H-1B Visa Grant, the Community Technology Centers Program Grant, and the Field Innovation Grant. Listed below is detailed information on each federal grant program.

H-1B Visa Grant
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the U.S. Department of Labor provide grant funds for skill training programs for both unemployed and employed workers. A user fee paid by employers to bring foreign workers to the United States under a H-1B nonimmigrant visa finances these grants. As a part of the nonimmigrant visa program, the skills training program was authorized under the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998. These grants are a long-term solution to domestic skill shortages in high skill and high technology occupations.

Eligible applicants for these grants include local Workforce Investment Boards that have established partnerships with colleges, businesses and community organizations. Last spring, the ETA distributed over $95 million to 43 projects across the country. The fund has helped to train close to 10,000 people thus far.

For additional information, please visit:http://wdsc.doleta.gov/sga/


Community Technology Centers Program Grant
Offered by the United States Department of Education, this grant program is intended to promote the use of technology in education through the development of model programs that demonstrate the educational effectiveness of technology in low-income or economically distressed urban and rural communities.

The deadline for this grant was July 16, 2001. However, with estimated eligible funds exceeding $32 million for the program and the average grant totaling between $75,000 and $300,000, we are hopeful that grants will also be offered next year.

All state and local education agencies, colleges, institutions of higher education, and other public or private non-profit organizations are eligible to receive this grant. The Community Technology Centers program for fiscal year 2001 provides support for access to computers, technology, and technology-based educational learning activities for adults and children in low-income communities who otherwise would lack the access to computers and information technology.

Grant programs should demonstrate:

• Substantial community support of, and commitment to, the community technology access center(s) with evidence of community assets that the applicant has leveraged; or
• Effective strategies in overcoming participant retention barriers and best practices for instructing with technology to improve educational and employment outcomes for low-income youth and adults; or
• Use of program funds to operate a community technology access center in an Empowerment Zone, an Enterprise Community designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or in an economically distressed rural community.

The areas in Florida that have been designated as Empowerment and Enterprise Communities are:

• Tampa, Florida Enterprise Community
• Empowerment Alliance of Southwest Florida Enterprise Community (Collier and Hendry Counties)
• Miami-Dade, Florida Empowerment Zone
• Jackson County, Florida Enterprise Community (Marianna and surrounding areas)

For additional information, please visit:http://www.itflorida.com/Resources


Field Innovation Grant Program
The America Connects Consortium (ACC), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, has designed a program to engage the community technology practitioners in defining and addressing critical research or development needs.

The Field Innovation Grant Program identifies and supports short-term projects that address important questions or unmet needs, and result in the creation of a product that can be used with other community technology centers (CTC's) with similar needs and questions. Examples of these needs include curriculum development, assessment, staff development, program design, research protocols, white papers and other materials that would be useful to the CTC's to further the development of strong community technology programs.

It is expected that the ACC will make approximately 12 grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 this year. Grant recipients will be chosen through a competitive process, with a review committee composed of ACC staff and community technology practitioners, as well as invited experts such as foundation program officers.

All US Department of education CTC grantees are eligible to apply, and other CTC programs that have been in operation for at least two years are eligible. Grants will be made to nonprofit organizations and state, county, and local government agencies.


Private Sector Grants/Other Funding Sources
There are also a variety of grants offered by the private sector that would be of interest to the Digital Divide Council. With corporate grants or sponsorships, the Digital Divide Council would be able to implement programs across Florida that would have a lasting impact on the community. Information is contained below regarding grant programs offered by corporate partners.


IBM
IBM awards grants for specific projects and programs that fit within their targeted areas of interest. Many of the grants awarded are initiated by the company and do not come from unsolicited sources. However, unsolicited proposal are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Priority is assigned in requests involving IBM technology or the volunteer efforts of IBM employees. Decisions are also based on what types of IBM support (i.e. Matching Grants, Fund for Community Service, United Way) an organization may already be receiving. The program areas that IBM invest in include: Education; Adult Training and Workforce Development; Arts and Culture; Helping Communities in Need; Environment; Employee Giving.

The application process will begin with an in initial inquiry to IBM and should include the following information:

• Brief statement fully describing the mission of the Council, the amount of money requested, and the purpose of the contribution;
• Description of the problem that the Digital Divide Council wishes to address, the proposed solution, and how IBM technology and volunteers (if appropriate) would be incorporated;
• Proposed project budget with all other anticipated sources of income;
• Plans to measure and evaluate program results;
• Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) ruling or other documentation showing tax exemption status; and
• Name, address and telephone number of the project contact person.

For additional information, please visit: www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/


MCI WorldCom
The MCI WorldCom grant program uses on-site professional development for K-12 teachers in the use of Internet content for the classroom. The partnership between MCI WorldCom and educational organizations has created six discipline-specific web sites that offer high-quality, panel-reviewed educational content. The goal of the grant program is to provide high-quality content to all educators across the county for free of charge and easily accessible.

States and school districts are encouraged to apply for on-site professional development, which includes seminars taught by Internet education specialists. Applications are evaluated with the following criteria:

• A comprehensive training model that illustrates how a significant number of teachers and students will benefit from MCI WorldCom training;
• A sufficient number of lead teacher trainers with the requisite technology skills to become lead trainers in the district;
• The state has the technology infrastructure necessary to execute training sessions; and
• As many teachers and students will be affected by this program as possible.

For additional information, please visit:http://www.thinkfinity.org/


AT&T
The AT&T Foundation awards grants for specific projects and programs that fit within their targeted areas of interest. Many of the grants awarded are initiated by the company and do not come from unsolicited sources. However, unsolicited proposals are reviewed. The Foundation gives cash grants to nonprofit organizations for innovative programs that focus on helping people achieve self-sufficiency and lead productive lives. AT&T seeks projects that meet society's needs and relate to their business interests. They are particularly inclined toward projects that employ innovative technological solutions.

The AT&T Foundation rewards grants in the following program areas:

• Education - Programs that focus on the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. This program is only available to public and private elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions. Grants are also available to nonprofit educational organizations.
• Civic and Community Service - The AT&T Foundation supports a variety of comprehensive civic and community service programs.
• Arts and Culture - The Arts and Culture program supports innovative artistic projects by nationally and internationally recognized arts and cultural institutions.

For additional information, please visit:www.att.com/foundation


AOL Time Warner Foundation
AOL Time Warner Foundation is dedicated to using the power of the media, communications and information technology to service the public interest and strengthen society. The Foundation enters into sustainable strategic partnerships with organizations that have demonstrated commitment to pioneering innovative ways to meet four priorities of the foundation: equipping kids for the 21st century; extending Internet benefits to all; engaging communities in the arts; and empowering citizens and civic participation.

Grant applications are screened against a number of important points. The Foundation focuses on:

• Well-defined purpose that is within the Foundation's scope of giving and encompasses the 4 priorities listed above;
• Programs have a national focus;
• The applicant will be a good strategic partner.

For additional information, please visit:http://www.aolfoundation.org/commun.html


Cisco Systems
The Global Access Grant Program, sponsored by Cisco Systems, is offered by invitation only. The grants focus on technology education for students and teachers. The grant program focuses on those programs that target and serve populations underrepresented in college and technology careers.

Cisco's Global Access Grant program makes investments in local or national programs, making the accessible to the global community through the use of the Internet. These programs harness the power of the Internet to benefit individuals and families around the globe.

The Cisco Product Donation Program awards Cisco products to qualifying non-profit organizations that operate in the US. These "Community Investment" grants average about $25,000 and are intended to build the workforce of the future and promote organizational effectiveness.

For additional information, please visit:www.cisco.com/warp/public/750/philanthropy/grants/


Intel
The Intel Foundation was established for the purpose of developing and funding educational and charitable programs. The Foundation's specific funding objectives are to:

• Improve science, math and technical education;
• Improve the effective utilization of technology in classroom teaching;
• Broaden access to technology; and
• Increase the number of people, especially women and minorities, pursuing technical careers.

Two types of grants are offered by the Foundation. The first, National grants, are designed for programs that are consistent with the Foundation's funding objectives and have a national focus. Community grants, the second type offered, are reserved for programs that are consistent with the Foundation's funding objectives and are located within Intel funding sites. There is not a funding site located within the State of Florida, so the Digital Divide Council would not currently be eligible for a Community Grant.

Intel makes cash grants only and funds specific projects, not general operating costs.

For additional information, please visit:www.intel.com/intel/community/


BellSouth Foundation
The BellSouth Foundation has planned to invest the majority of their funds in 2001-2005 in Special Initiatives through a targeted request for proposal process. In addition to grant making, initiative activities may include creating new partnerships, research and data collection, technical assistance, policy development, evaluation, and communication efforts. The BellSouth Foundation 2001-2005 program focuses on the following priorities:

• Setting an equity agenda for disadvantaged high school students;
• Setting an equity agenda for college-bound minorities;
• Setting an equity agenda for technology-disadvantaged communities;
• Setting a capacity agenda for Latin America's children;
• Setting a capacity agenda for teachers and leaders; and
• Setting a capacity agenda for technology and learning.

For additional information, please visit:www.bellsouthfoundation.org/


Citigroup
The Citigroup Foundation dedicated approximately 75% of their grant budget for funding requests for community development and education programs. Community development grants are those that are made to reinforce community-led efforts to revitalize low-income neighborhoods. Education grants are splint into three different levels: Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education and College and University Education.

Proposals are encouraged to include evidence of:

• Strong leadership that will significantly strengthen communities and serve as a model for other non-profit groups;
• Sound administration and financial conditions; and
• Opportunities for employee involvement

For additional information, please visit:www.citigroup.com/citigroup/corporate/fndtion/


NEC Foundation
The NEC Foundation of America makes cash grants to nonprofit organizations and programs that have a national reach and impact in the following arena:

• Science and technology education, principally at the secondary level; and/or
• The application of technology to assist people with disabilities.

The application information stresses the need to demonstrate how the program will have a national reach and impact and must give a specific amount of funding for a specific purpose.

The NEC Foundation of America is endowed at $10 million. The Foundation makes grants totaling $600,000 per year, and the grants range from 41,500 to $75,000. The average grant totals $75,000.

For additional information, please visit:www.necus.com/company/foundation/msieindex.htm


Microsoft
The Microsoft Corporation makes grants to community-based nonprofit organizations in cities across the United States. With Connected Learning Community Grants, Microsoft enhances learning and communication sin disadvantaged communities by expanding access to information technology. The company's worldwide charitable efforts are aimed at increasing access to technology for disadvantaged communities and supporting community organizations in the areas of education, human services, civic development, the arts and the environment.

More than 95 community-based nonprofit groups across the US have received grants totaling $1.25 million in cash and $2.4 million in software during the past three years.

For additional information, please visit: www.microsoft.com/giving/


Hewlett-Packard
HP supports non-profit organizations, local branches of national non-profits and K-12 schools through local and regional community grants. Through focused programs and powerful partnerships, HP is working to narrow the digital divide, build capacity within the education community - from K-12 through university - to increase student achievement in math and science and reinvent how underserved communities address some of their most pressing issues. They are focused on programs that include the following:

• Community college pre-engineering and computer science
• Community Technology Centers
• Initiative in mobile technology solutions
• Institute for women and technology virtual development centers
• Schools of education and K-12 technology collaboration
• Science leadership
• University Impact

For additional information, please visit: webcenter.hp.com/grants/us/index.html


Verizon
The Verizon Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations within the United States. Their primary focus is on technology, literacy, and the commitment to bridging the "Digital Divide." In 2001, it is estimated that the foundation will distribute approximately $70 million nationwide to support technology and literacy programs within urban and rural communities. Each year, the foundation provides funding to more than 25,000 nonprofit organizations. To be eligible for consideration for grants, organizations must focus on technology applications and programs in one or more of the following areas:

• Literacy
• Digital Divide
• Workforce Development
• Employee Volunteerism
• Community Technology Development

For additional information, please visit:foundation.verizon.com


3COM
3Com provides long-term financial support to community projects and programs. In FY 2000, 3Com donated over $10 million to community initiatives. 3Com focuses on community investments that include the advancement of education and community economic development through networking technology. All projects are required to exhibit the following traits:

• Enhancing the education and learning process of people;
• Demonstrating the power of networking technology;
• Transforming the way people learn, live and connect;
• Allow for replication in other locations; and
• Provide a regional focus in 3Com communities.

For additional information, please visit:www.3com.com/corpinfo/en_US/index.html


Sprint
The Sprint Foundation was established in 1989 to fund civic and charitable endeavors. In 1999, Sprint Foundation grants totaled $7.2 million and emphasized its support of local and regional organizations in the communities where the corporation has a major presence. The Foundation's major areas of interest include:

• Education
• Arts and Culture
• Community improvement
• Youth Development

For additional information, please visit:www.sprint.com/sprint/overview/commun.html


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