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

Community Fund Grants $800K to Orgs To Improve Digital Inclusion

The KC Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund recently awarded approximately $800,000 to organizations in the metro area to address internet access, devices and training. The Mid-America Regional Council acted as an agent on behalf of its Advisory Board to facilitate the application and fund disbursement through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

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MO Goes Tech Launches with Open Call for Microgrant Applications

MO Goes Tech aims to expand the capacity of community-service organizations with established client relationships to add digital training and navigation to their service offerings, including enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program, and access to computers or tablets to ensure their clients have the tools they need to fully participate in the digital economy.

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