The Digital Equity Pooled Fund aims to position equity at the
forefront of how broadband infrastructure dollars are spent in
California by ensuring digital
equity advocates and communities most affected by the digital
divide can make their voices heard in critical regulatory
processes.
LOS
ANGELES, Sept. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Three
social change organizations are partnering on a new and unique
approach to philanthropy by funding and advancing digital equity
advocacy in California through the
Digital Equity Pooled Fund. The inaugural recipients of the Fund's
$100,000 grants are The Utility
Reform Network (TURN) and the Center for Accessible Technology
(CforAT), two organizations leading digital equity efforts in
California.
The new collaboration is coordinated by the Michelson 20MM
Foundation in partnership with the Silicon Valley Community
Foundation (SVCF) and California Community Foundation (CCF). It
will position equity at the forefront of how broadband
infrastructure dollars are spent in California. It will ensure digital equity
advocates and communities most affected by the digital divide can
make their voices heard in critical regulatory processes at the
state and federal levels. The challenges facing underserved
populations are exacerbated by digital inequity gaps which impact
their ability to access education, healthcare, employment, civic
participation, and more.
The invite-only grants provide technical assistance and training
for digital equity advocates, local municipalities, and counties.
They also institutionalize support for sustained community
engagement at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on
broadband, digital literacy, and beyond; build the capacity of
local grassroots organizations to engage on digital equity issues;
and foster philanthropic affinity groups, creating space to educate
philanthropy on opportunities to support systems change
strategies.
"By pooling our funds to support ongoing, hands-on technical
support for community-based organizations and local governments to
participate in the state's critical regulatory processes, we are
making a shared investment in leveling the playing field for the
people and communities most affected by the digital divide," said
Shayna Englin, Director of CCF's
Digital Equity Initiative. "In the coming year, we anticipate a
significant shift in the balance of voices heard at the California
Public Utilities Commission in favor of community and equity."
As the only independent statewide utility consumer advocacy
organization in California, TURN's
work centers on advocating for affordable and dependable utility
services, and standing up for consumers across the state as an
independent and unbiased voice. TURN's Voice for Broadband Equity
Project, directly supported by the fund, will provide training and
technical assistance to BIPOC-led and BIPOC- and low-income-serving
organizations who want to participate in proceedings at CPUC.
"Support from the Digital Equity Pooled Fund is critical to
enabling TURN to bring diverse community voices from Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and
throughout California to impact
policy making at CPUC, to ensure that telecom carriers are held
accountable to reaching state residents without affordable,
high-speed internet service," stated Mark
W. Toney, Executive Director of TURN.
Concurrently, CforAT represents people with disabilities before
the CPUC for both telecommunications policy and energy policy. They
are working to ensure that telecommunications services are
accessible, wireless access is expanded, utility services are
affordable, and changes in these arenas are effectively
communicated among individuals with access and functional
needs.
"For decades, the profit motives of large incumbent internet
service providers like AT&T and Comcast have deprived people
with disabilities, households of color, and low-income households
of the broadband services that are critical to success in today's
economy," said Paul Goodman, Legal
Counsel for CforAT. "CforAT has always believed that decisions
about communities' needs and solutions are best made by communities
themselves. CforAT is honored to have the opportunity to help
communities build capacity to advocate for broadband policies that
place the needs of community members above shareholder
dividends."
Through their Digital Equity Technical Assistance Project,
CforAT will house a technical assistance center to support
sustained community engagement concerning broadband, digital
literacy, and beyond. The center will also provide additional
resources, including office hours and a review of community
comments.
"Today, digital equity is fundamental to access education,
healthcare, employment, political participation, and other basic
rights. For too long, policy development and decision-making has
been monopolized by corporate interests," said Phillip J. Kim, CEO of the Michelson 20MM
Foundation. "These projects will help ensure underserved
communities are central to these conversations."
To learn more about the fund's grantmaking priorities and the
growing list of philanthropic partners, visit the Digital Equity
Pooled Fund page.
Contact: Cristal Mojica,
cristal@20mm.org
About Michelson 20MM Foundation
Based in Los Angeles, the
Michelson 20MM Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation
seeking to accelerate progress towards a more just world through
grantmaking, operating programs, and impact investing. Co-chaired
and funded by Alya and Gary
Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson
Philanthropies network of foundations. To learn more, visit
20mm.org.
About Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation helps build and strengthen
the community by bringing together people and organizations who
want to strengthen the common good. SVCF is a regional catalyst,
connector, and collaborator. Through advocacy, research, policy,
and grantmaking, SVCF seeks systemic solutions to drive enduring
community change.
About California Community Foundation
California Community Foundation is driven to find long-term,
systemic solutions addressing the root causes of the most pressing
issues facing Los Angeles County.
Since 2000, CCF has given more than $200
million in discretionary grants, impacting hundreds of
thousands of lives and helping to transform entire communities.
Every one of those grants represented the legacy of a donor who was
dedicated to creating a healthier, more prosperous and empowered
LA.
Media Contact
Cristal Mojica, Michelson 20MM
Foundation, 1 213-269-5777, cristal@20mm.org
SOURCE Digital Equity Pooled Fund