The Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) has opened a grant opportunity to implement strategies that improve digital equity and inclusion in the Indiana Uplands.
Donor Name: Regional Opportunity Initiatives
State: Indiana
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/23/2023
Size of the Grant: $5,000 – $50,000
Details:
The Digital Towns Grant program will provide Uplands communities with resources needed to develop and implement projects and programs that helps Uplands citizens participate fully in a digital society.
The goal of this initiative is to financially support projects or programs that align with the strategies outlined in the Indiana Uplands Digital Inclusion Plan.
The main objective of the Digital Towns Grant Program is the advancement of more digitally inclusive region by adopting and integrating digital information and communication in all aspects of their communities. For the purpose of this grant program, ROI will focus on the following themes:
- Digital Citizens – helping households connect to the internet, access devices and grow competence in usage of digital technologies to engage in internet services, e-commerce, educational opportunities, digital public services, and healthcare services
- Digital Public Services – supporting collaborations between local units of government, nonprofits, and/or health care services to provide access to online information and/or services, and telehealth access points
- Digital Business – partnering with businesses and entrepreneurs to maximize opportunities in the digital economy
Grants are intended to increase the digital capabilities of the region by providing funding for relevant professional services, training, digital products, equipment/hardware, or other products and services that advance digital inclusion and prosperity.
Projects and programs must align with one or more of the following strategies:
- Digital Citizen: Increasing Access and Digital Literacy
- Examples: Public wi-fi spaces, device loaner/ownership programs, digital literacy classes, telehealth access points, digital skill building workshops to build workforce capabilities.
- Digital Public Service: Engaging the Uplands Citizens
- Examples: Developing systems for live-streaming and archiving public meetings, assisting nonprofits in the adoption and utilization of digital technologies, expansion of online services for the public
- Expanding the Uplands Digital Economy
- Examples: Development/build out of e-commerce websites for Uplands businesses, IT entrepreneurial support programming, assistance with Precision Ag opportunities, events such as “hack-a-thons
Funding Information
Applicants can apply for a grant in an any amount between $5,000 – $50,000. Projects with a regional scope, serving all 11 counties of the Uplands, can apply for up to $100,000.
Eligible Applicants
- Incorporated cities and towns
- County commissions and councils
- Nonprofits, including foundations, agencies, and hospitals
- Public education institutions, including pre-K, K-12, and post-secondary
- Faith-based organizations
- Main Street organizations
- Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations that have an affiliated 501(c)3
- Organizations/programs that help business/entrepreneurs
For more information, visit Digital Towns.
