Welcome to the second part of the Technology Matching Fund & Digital Navigator Cohort Grant blog series! In this series, Seattle IT will be covering the Technology Matching Fund and Digital Network Cohort which is a project to build onto Seattle’s Digital Equity Statement and how qualifying non-profits can apply.
Seattle IT is excited to announce the new Digital Navigator program! In the wake of the pandemic, when connectivity is critical, the Digital Navigator Cohort Grant serves as Seattle IT’s response to the inequities brought about by the pandemic. Through community conversations, digital navigators emerged locally and nationally as trusted guides to assist in technology support and foundational digital skills. To be able to provide services to residents, $250,000 has been funded into a cohort of community organizations to be able to offer the digital navigator program.
As a part of the Digital Navigator Cohort, the City of Seattle will award grants up to $50,000. Projects under the Digital Navigator Cohort must be completed within 18 months or less. Although, unlike the Technology Matching Fund, the Digital Navigator Cohort does not require a community match.
If an applicant seeks out a Digital Navigator Cohort Grant, it should aim to increase internet access and adoption by providing one-on-one or small group, just-in-time assistance via phone service, email, text, video chat, and other communication methods. Digital navigators will provide on-demand services in the following areas:
- Accessing and using devices and the internet
- Basic digital navigation assistance
- Troubleshooting technology issues
Digital navigator services, as defined by this grant, do not include digital literacy skills classes, workshop, and tutoring. Funding for connectivity and devices can be included in proposals if in conjunction with digital navigator assistance. Additionally, digital navigation services can be provided in-person or in blended formats.
With the Digital Navigator Cohort Grant, City and community resources will be leveraged in order to help residents achieve personal, educational, workforce and community goals.
If you did not catch the last part of our series on the Technology Matching Fund, you can read about it here: https://techtalk.seattle.gov/2022/03/07/technology-grants-are-coming-learn-whats-new/
Stay tuned for part three of Seattle IT’s Technology Matching Fund and Digital Navigator blog series where you can learn how to apply for the grants, eligibility, workshop availability and more!
You can learn more about Digital Equity grants by following this link http://www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/digital-equity/funding-opportunities