Jump to Navigation

King County

Digital Equity

Overview

ID: CSGER-OESJ-grantsDE
Title: Digital Equity
Application Start Date: 10/29/2021
Application End Date: 11/30/2021
CFDA/ALN: 21.027
Summary:

This grant program will promote greater digital access, adoption, literacy, and inclusion in communities who have experienced the most negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. By expanding digital access, King County residents and families will have more equitable opportunity for education, economic, and better health and wellbeing outcomes. Sustaining vibrant communities must include removing barriers that prevent low-income and rural residents in the community from full and equitable digital engagement. This program will support local groups, agencies, and organizations that demonstrate a strong track record of working effectively with these vulnerable groups.

This program intends to partner with local groups, agencies, and organizations serving communities experiencing the most negative economic impacts from COVID-19. Currently it is estimated that up to 30 organizations will be able to be awarded with amounts up to $100,000. Grant sizes are estimated to be $30,000 to $60,000.

Program applicants will demonstrate that they are organizations who promote the digital inclusion of communities who face barriers to accessing digital services, which have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants must be able to demonstrate proximity to and effectiveness in serving King County residents, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), seniors, limited English proficient residents (LEP), individuals with disabilities and communication barriers, low-income, unemployed, and underemployed residents, and those experiencing homelessness or residing in rural areas. Program applicants will demonstrate that they have access to up-to-date COVID-19 information for distribution to community members. 

 

For more information, view the RFA for Digital Equity here.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:
  • Other
Eligibility Notes:

Eligible applicants may include the following groups, agencies, or organizations:

  • A community-based organization;
  • A faith-based organization;
  • A community media organization;
  • A community, senior, or ethnic center;
  • A disability service provider;
  • A local education agency; 
  • A volunteer literacy organization;
  • A school, library, or other anchor institution; 
  • A public housing authority;
  • Other nonprofit institutions that have ability to provide digital navigation and literacy activities;
  • A consortium or coalition of the agencies, organization, institutions, libraries, or authorities described above; and
  • A partnership between an employer and an entity described above

Applicants can demonstrate proximity to and effectiveness in serving target communities through experience in delivering social and educational services that are linguistically and culturally appropriate, proven community outreach, education, and marketing, good community standing and history of offering consistent services, adequate technological and administrative support, systems for program tracking and evaluation, maintaining a welcoming facility, and partnerships to leverage skills or resources. Applicants will demonstrate how their experience serving communities will be leveraged to share specific COVID-19 information for this program. 

Because funding from this grant comes from federal CLFR funds (Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds), grant funds may not be used for any expenditures already covered by another federal funding source (e.g., federal grant, subsidized loan, insurance policies of any type of coverage, or any reimbursement or relief program related to or administered by the Small Business Administration “SBA”).

Financial

Award Amount: $25,000.00
(min)
$100,000.00
(max)

Number of Awards: N/A
Average Award Size: N/A

Matching Required: no
Financial Notes:

Grant size determined based on:

  • Analysis of cost reasonableness
  • Size of request
  • Total application turnout
  • Geographic priority
  • Alignment with program intent

Eligible expenses and activities include but are not limited to:

Establishing or enhancing a community technology lab equipped with computers, printers, and Wi-Fi; lending libraries or loan to own programs for new or refurbished laptops, notebooks, tablets, or other internet-enabled devices, including cell phones and mobile hotspots. Project proposals should include plans providing access to technology, internet connectivity, and technical assistance and training, in-language as needed. To ensure equitable distribution of funding, program applicants should also articulate how the program will target geographic areas identified as high need. Project proposals should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the barriers to digital inclusion and equity specific to their service area or population.

 

Technology, interactive media, and services

Purchasing Wi-Fi; new or refurbished Internet-enabled devices, including laptops, notebooks, tablets, and cell phones and mobile hotspots, video cameras; subsidized or pre-paid service plans, etc.

 

Technical Assistance and Training

Staffing and purchasing teaching equipment, including computers (basic, mid-range, and high-end), monitors, mouse devices, keyboards, applications or subscription programs, projectors, printers, scanners, speakers, USB drives, assistive technology to help individuals with disabilities, translation of existing curricula and outreach materials; distance-learning tools and platforms

 

Administration and other direct costs

Staffing and personnel for instruction or volunteer recruitment and management; if volunteers; purchasing personal protective equipment for in-person or on-site services (face masks, gloves, cleaning supplies, etc.); proper ventilation, physical barriers, tape, signage; acquisition and ongoing maintenance of hardware and software;

Contact

Agency/Department: Performance Strategy and Budget
Office: Office of Equity and Social Justice, Executive Office of King County
Program Contact:
OESJ Grants Team

Application Address:
Submit application through online portal.

Contact Notes:

Submit questions to oesjgrants@kingcounty.gov or refer to webinars (to be published on the King County grants page).

Files

Files:
Budget: File Type Icon  OESJ DE Budget Template (2) (192.8 Kb)
Guide: File Type Icon  Applicant Portal User Guide 2020 (1) (1.2 Mb)
Guide: File Type Icon  Subrecipient Post-Award Guide 2020 (1.7 Mb)
File Notes:

Please use the Budget Template to submit your project budget. Instructions are included in the Excel file.

Applicant Portal Guide: PRE-AWARD Grants Management guide that provides direction on setting up an account and all things needed to submit an application. 

Subrecipient Portal Guide: POST-AWARD Grants Management guide with instructions on accepting the award and submitting programmatic and financial reports. 

* eCivis Inc. is not responsible or liable for user-generated content.