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City of Seattle awards $320,000 for digital equity

Mayor Ed Murray and the City Council today awarded 10 Seattle organizations a total of $320,000 in Technology Matching Funds from the City of Seattle. Council committee voted unanimously to approve the awards. Full Council approval is expected on Sept. 6. “Technology impacts nearly every facet of our lives, from finding jobs to thriving in […]

Mayor Ed Murray and the City Council today awarded 10 Seattle organizations a total of $320,000 in Technology Matching Funds from the City of Seattle. Council committee voted unanimously to approve the awards. Full Council approval is expected on Sept. 6.

“Technology impacts nearly every facet of our lives, from finding jobs to thriving in school,” said Murray. “Our investment in these community driven projects will open the door to greater success for Seattleites who lack sufficient technology access and essential digital skills.”

“One of the most effective and meaningful community investments we make in this City are these technology grants,” said Council President Bruce Harrell. “These grants help people succeed by learning skills critically necessary in the 21st century. They provide critical support where the digital divide is the greatest, to our low-income, homeless, immigrant refugee, senior and disabled residents.”

The Technology Matching Fund projects help meet the city’s Digital Equity Initiative goals of increasing connectivity, digital skills training, and providing devices and technical support, through partnerships and community-driven solutions. They will assist more than 2,500 residents in historically underserved or underrepresented communities, including 580 immigrants and refugees, 1,240 seniors and 1,100 people with disabilities.

The 2016 Technology Matching Fund award recipients include:

  • Children’s Home Society of Washington/North Seattle Family Center
  • Coalition for Refugees from Burma
  • Community & Parents for Public Schools
  • El Centro de la Raza
  • Full Life Care
  • Multimedia Resources Training Institute
  • Na’ah Illahee Fund
  • New Horizons
  • SightConnection
  • Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

Seattle’s Community Technology Advisory Board selected the projects from 41 applicants though a rigorous application review process.  Awardees will contribute more than $470,000 in projected community matching resources.

For more information and a map of Technology Matching Fund awardees, visit http://www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/digital-equity/technology-matching-fund/2016-awardees.