(Johnston, Rhode Island) September 5, 2017 – Mobile Beacon is now accepting applications for its Wi-Fly Digital Inclusion Grant. The grant provides 25 laptops and 25 4G LTE mobile hotspots with free, mobile, and unlimited 4G LTE internet access for one year. Mobile Beacon’s Wi-Fly grant is valued at $20,000. The grant is open to schools, libraries, nonprofits, housing authorities, healthcare organizations, and other community anchor institutions (CAIs) in all 50 states. The deadline to apply is October 2nd, 2017.
The collective social impact contributed by CAIs across the country is a powerful force in our society. They help those in need, feed our hungry, heal our sick, educate future generations, and give hope to millions. Providing high-capacity internet access to CAIs enables these organizations to become catalysts for increasing their communities’ digital literacy, broadband deployment, and adoption. Together, Mobile Beacon and CAIs can connect people to this vital tool which improves their lives. Mobile Beacon invites CAIs across the country to be part of this life-changing work. That’s why Mobile Beacon is offering the Wi-Fly Lending Launch Kit to help CAIs create programs that will really take off.
“The digital divide continues to affect millions of Americans – particularly the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Katherine Messier, Executive Director of Mobile Beacon. “Community anchor institutions have tremendous reach into our communities, impacting the lives of many individuals and families with a single broadband connection. Mobile Beacon’s Wi-Fly grant gives these organizations the means to connect people to the resources they need to succeed.”
In 2016, four organizations were awarded Mobile Beacon’s Wi-Fly grants. The grants provided 100 laptops, 100 4G LTE mobile hotspots, and free, mobile, unlimited 4G LTE internet access for one year to LifeSTEPS in Sacramento, CA, Rockford Housing Authority in Rockford, IL, Bartram High School in Philadelphia, PA, and Chelsea District Library in Chelsea, MI. Additional information about last year’s winners can be found here and here.
Allison Stelly, Fund Development Manager, at LifeSTEPS, a 2016 Wi-Fly grant winner said, “I’m especially proud…the laptop has already helped one resident secure stable employment” and “thanks to the laptop and Wi-Fi, this resident is helping to secure a more stable future for herself and her family.”
Awarded every fall, Mobile Beacon’s Wi-Fly Digital Inclusion Grant helps community anchor institutions launch digital inclusion programs aimed at closing the digital divide. For more information and to apply please visit our website at: https://www.mobilebeacon.org/wi-fly-lending-launch-kit/.
About
Mobile Beacon provides high-speed, low-cost, mobile internet access to the anchors of communities: the nonprofits, schools, libraries, and healthcare organizations that provide vital services to millions of Americans every day. Through this broadband service, organizations have an essential tool to fulfill their missions and maximize their philanthropic impact, which allows organizations to access more information, reach more people, and help more in their communities. Learn more at https://www.mobilebeacon.org.
Media Contact: Lauren Yergeau
Mobile Beacon
401.934.0500
[email protected]
