Boston Creates $35,000 Digital Equity Fund

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh announced the creation of a $35,000 Digital Equity Fund, which will support the City's goal of ensuring all residents have equal access to digital services.

The Digital Equity Fund will provide support to community-based organizations that help Boston residents fully connect and participate in today's media and information landscape. The Digital Equity Fund will explore ways to build individual and community capacity to:

• Use the Internet, digital skills, and digital tools to pursue professional, educational, and civic endeavors;
• Engage with the Internet safely and securely;
• Develop needs-responsive, community driven digital skills building opportunities;
• Increase broadband adoption among the roughly 1 in 5 Bostonians who do not subscribe to this service in the home.

In 2017, Boston will award one grant of $35,000 or up to two grants up to $17,500 each to nonprofit organizations that promote digital equity. By providing seed funding, the City hopes to identify promising strategies that can attract outside funding and further create a City where everyone has the tools and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.