This cycle will prioritize the provision of digital education training and digital inclusion programming initiatives in communities with low digital inclusion rates across the City of Baltimore. The grant period has been extended, spanning approximately 20 months. Lastly, award amounts have been increased to provide greater support for impactful projects.

Eligible organizations (or their fiscal agents) are those that serve Baltimore City residents that qualify as public charities under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, political persuasion, age, physical handicap, gender or sexual orientation including:

• A community anchor institution;

• Schools and educational agencies;

• An entity that carries out a workforce development program; or

• A partnership between any of the entities above.

An organization or individual who does not qualify as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and who otherwise wouldn’t be eligible may partner with a recognized public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as their fiscal agent.

Partnerships with community-based organizations are encouraged. During grantee selection, priority points will be provided to program proposals that demonstrate a plan to partner with trusted, community-based, grassroots organizations. See the Request for Applications for additional information.

In cycle II of the Digital Equity Fund, we will be funding projects that align with the following grant types:

• Digital Literacy Training for Older Adults: Projects focused on providing digital literacy training and resources specifically tailored to older adults to enhance their digital skills and confidence in using technology.

• Digital Literacy Training at Tech Hubs: Initiatives aimed at promoting digital literacy and skills development for residents of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on reaching underserved communities and individuals facing digital exclusion.

• Advanced Digital Education/IT Fundamentals: Projects that offer advanced digital education and training opportunities for residents pursuing a career in Information Technology (IT). Programming should include opportunities for residents to earn industry recognized IT certifications.

• Digital Creatives & Virtual Makerspaces: Initiatives that foster creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the digital realm, such as virtual makerspaces, digital arts programs, and projects that empower individuals to explore and create using digital tools and technologies.

Please see the Request for Applications for additional details.

Follow the link provided in the application. Once the document opens, you will see it is in a Read-Only format which means you will not be able to edit the document directly. In the top left corner choose File> click the three dots> click “Save As”> click “Download a Copy.”