Grant funding is now available for organizations in Seattle that are dedicated to closing the digital divide in their community. The City’s digital equity grants are open for the next grant cycle starting on Monday, September 18 at noon.

To learn more about the application process, interested parties can attend a virtual meeting hosted by the City’s Community Technology Advisory Board (CTAB) on Tuesday, September 12 at 6 p.m. Additional information sessions will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

The 2024 digital equity grants will allocate funds of up to $35,000 to qualifying non-profit organizations and community groups in Seattle for digital equity projects. A total of $545,000 is available through the Technology Matching Fund (TMF) and Digital Navigator Grant. The community is expected to contribute a 25% match in the form of volunteer labor, materials, professional services, or cash.

The projects funded by the grants should focus on enhancing internet access and adoption by providing various services. These include digital navigator services, where one-on-one or small group assistance is offered to help residents with device usage, internet connectivity, and signing up for affordable internet plans. Digital literacy classes and workshops should also be provided to train new technology users. Additionally, the grants support the provision of devices and technical support to ensure effective use, as well as expanding internet connectivity options for low-income residents.

The digital equity grants are part of the Seattle Information Department (Seattle IT) and are aimed at fostering equitable and responsive services to the public. Seattle IT is a trusted partner that provides secure, reliable, and compliant technologies.

The CTAB meeting on September 12 will take place virtually through Cisco WebEx and is accessible via video or phone connection. For online participation, attendees can join using the following link: [link removed]. It is also possible to join by phone using the provided numbers.