The Mid-America Regional Council announced on February 1, 2023 that the Advisory Board for the KC Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund has an open call for community non-profit organizations and libraries to submit requests for funding to help area adult residents and households enroll in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), obtain computer devices to make use of the internet in homes, and gain skills through training and technical assistance. 

What you need to know: 

  • Apply for funds here. Applications must be completed online 
  • Download a PDF of the application questions here
  • Read the Digital Equity Funding Opportunity here
  • Maximum grant request is $50,000 
  • Deadline to submit requests is February 28, 2023 at 5 pm CST 

Applicants may apply for one project category or for more than one category as long as the total request does not exceed the $50,000 maximum.

The Advisory Board is particularly interested in serving adults and households in geographic areas where needs, but few resources, exist; and those adults and households challenged with the greatest needs to secure services, such as (but not limited to) those with limited English proficiency, unemployed, disabled, or older adults. The Fund is intended to serve needs in the 9-county Kansas City region, including Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

The Advisory Board encourages organizations to collaborate in serving the region’s residents with digital services during 2023. The Advisory Board hopes to support organizations and services that could be further strengthened and expanded once federal broadband/digital equity dollars are available later this year or in 2024 through the two states.

Questions should be directed to Marlene Nagel at mnagel@marc.org

Further Reading

Digital Inclusion Fund Relaunches with Open Call for Applications

The KC Digital Inclusion Fund is a charitable fund led by KC Digital Drive and administered at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation with an Advisory Council. In 2024, the Fund will award up to $250,000 across three grant areas: 1) Devices, 2) I.T. Support, and 3) New Courses. For more information or to apply, visit kcdig.org.

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KC Reentry Organizations Offer Digital Inclusion Support to Returning Citizens

The following is a recap of a presentation by Jill Hanli, Journey to New Life Case Manager and Outreach Coordinator, Susie Roling, Journey to New Life Associate Director, Alexis Williams, 12th Street Heritage Director of Operations, and Tanesha Whitelaw, KU Center for Digital Inclusion Digital Navigator given to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion […]

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Assistive Technology will “Power Up” Computer Access

KC Digital Drive’s team member Leah Henriksen volunteered for the Missouri Assistive Technology’s Power Up conference, learning about assistive devices to share with the KC metro community. KC Digital Drive intends to partner with MO Assistive Tech to provide access to computers and other digital devices for individuals with disabilities.

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