A MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITY

Driving toward digital equity in the KC region

Based on findings from a recent funding landscape analysis white paper, KC Digital Drive is leading the fund’s relaunch effort in 2024 to support 501(c)(3) public charities, educational or governmental entities that focus on digital inclusion access, affordability and adoption to increase participation in digital society for Kansas City’s most underserved and/or disconnected residents. Initial funding is from the Health Forward Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation and Google Fiber.  

The Fund is a charitable fund led by KC Digital Drive and administered at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation with an Advisory Council that includes Dred Scott, President, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City; CiCi Rojas, President, Tico Productions; Adriana Pecina, Impact Strategist, Health Forward Foundation; Rachel Merlo, Head of Government and Community Affairs (Central + OC, CA), GFiber; and Aaron Deacon, Managing Director, KC Digital Drive. 

In 2024, the Fund will grant up to $250,000 across 3 funding cycles in these areas: 

• Devices – applications open June 3
• I.T. Support – applications open August 1
• New Courses – applications open October 1

Each cycle has its own request for applications, application requirements and evaluation criteria. KC Digital Drive will provide applicant support through informational events, office hours and 1:1 assistance leading up to each grant cycle; and will provide tech support, and evaluation and reporting assistance to all grantees. 

To learn more and apply online, visit kcdif.org.

Originally established in 2013 to address digital literacy and technology access, the Fund provided just under $1 million to 33 grantees over 5 cycles with funding from Google Fiber (or GFiber), the Sprint Foundation, The Illig Family Foundation, Polsinelli, Global Prairie and JE Dunn.