Seattle’s Technology Matching Fund awards $343k to 15 nonprofits helping to bridge digital divide

The Metropolis of Seattle has introduced the recipients of the 2021 Expertise Matching Fund, which gives support to community-led tasks rising entry to expertise and offering digital expertise coaching for underserved communities.

The fund is investing $343,000 in 15 organizations, with grants starting from $11,000 to $25,000. Organizations have pledged a complete of $480,795 to match Metropolis {dollars} with not less than 50 p.c in money or in-kind contributions of labor, skilled companies and donated {hardware} and software program.

“This previous yr made clear each how important dependable web is and what number of obstacles to entry stay for traditionally deprived teams and neighborhoods,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan mentioned in a information launch. “This funding will assist bridge Seattle’s digital divide by making entry extra reasonably priced and extra out there for extra individuals whereas investing in applications that develop the talents required to compete in a digital financial system. That is how we construct again higher.”

The Expertise Matching Fund was created in 1997 and has since awarded greater than $6 million to organizations, funding greater than 365 neighborhood expertise tasks. The Metropolis of Seattle’s Neighborhood Expertise Advisory Board really helpful the funded tasks from a aggressive pool of 55 candidates, which submitted proposals totaling over $1,288,000 in requested funding.

Listed below are 2021 Expertise Matching Fund recipients. Learn extra in regards to the tasks right here.

• Boys & Ladies Membership of King County, Expertise Station @ Lowell Boys & Ladies Membership
• East African Neighborhood Providers, East African Digital Literacy Venture
• Fairness in Training Coalition, AmeriCorps Digital Navigation Cohort
• Kin On Well being Care Middle, Kin On SmartLab: Good Residing for Seniors
• Literacy Supply, Digital Literacy for Immigrants/Refugees
• Multimedia Assets & Coaching Institute, Bridging the Divide by means of Digital Navigators
• Path with Artwork, Evolving Inventive Connections: Voices of Unhoused
• Renaissance 21, Digital STEAM Discovery Venture
• Senior Middle of West Seattle, Constructing Neighborhood Via Connections
• Simulated Immersive eXperimental Realities, [FFMF] Future Founders Maker Fellowship
• Somali Household Security Activity Drive, 2021 Somali Digital Literacy Venture
• Sound Generations, Digital Entry and Fairness for Lake Metropolis Seniors
• The Vera Venture, Equip the Children – Manufacturing Lab & Lending Library
• Wa Na Wari, Digital Manufacturing Utility Package
• Windz of Change Alliance, Indigenouz Collective Cyber Communications