Digital Inclusion Fund sponsored by Google Fiber Grant

The Digital Inclusion Fund, launched by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville in partnership with Google Fiber, aims to enhance digital access and skills among vulnerable populations in Huntsville. With priorities including education, job training, and social connection, the fund supports organizations that help low-income individuals, seniors, and others gain essential digital literacy. By addressing these needs, the fund fosters economic development and equitable access to technology, ultimately contributing to a more connected community.

Digital Inclusion Fund sponsored by Google Fiber Grant Description
In partnership with Google Fiber, the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville launched the Digital Inclusion Fund in 2018 to support digital inclusion efforts in the City of Huntsville. This grant program provides funding to organizations that are preparing students for technology careers, supporting workforce development, and teaching people to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information.
Based on feedback from a Digital Inclusion
Community Conversations held between 2018 and 2021, our community’s priorities for this Digital Inclusion fund are as follows
Social connection (interpersonal connection)
Health care (health information and access)Digital Equity/Equitable Access Digital Literacy

Eligibility

Eligible RecipientsAll grants from this Fund must be made for
charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes to any organization that is described Code Section 170(c)(2), 501(c)(3), 2055(a)(2) or 2522(a)(2) (except for private foundations as defined by Code Section 509(a)) ("qualified organization"). Qualified organizations include schools, religious institutions, or government agencies located in Huntsville, Alabama.Eligible ExpensesProgram costs for new and/or existing programs,
including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program/project Training and support for volunteers who assist
in program/project implementation Hardware, software and Internet connectivity to
be used to provide digital skills training for target population members

Ineligibility

Projects outside of Google Fiber’s service area in
Huntsville, Alabama Organizations not organized as “qualified
organizations” as defined in Eligible Recipients section Costs associated with updating an
organization's own internal hardware, software, IT systems or support, or website content (however note that costs for hardware, software, and Internet connectivity used to provide digital skills training for target population members are allowed) Construction fees or monthly service charges for
home Internet subscriptions Development of WiFi or other networks intended
to provide wide-scale connectivity Purchase of hardware for end-users and/or in-home
Endowment campaigns, special events, annual
campaigns, membership drives, or conference expenses Political activities, including education