FCC Connect2Compete Initiative

Hey, this looks familiar, a Digital Literacy Corps!:)

Connect to Compete

Our Humble Beginnings

It took someone else to write out the C-CAN beginnings story, but here it is: C-CAN's Early Days

Evaluation of DI Programs in WA State: Link to Report

Here is a great example of what happens when a city, region, or state embarks upon a collaborative digital inclusion effort, then evaluates outcomes. This Washington State Community Technology Opportunities Project (CTOP) report provides a valuable framework.... 2009 CTOP Final Report

Wireless Minneapolis Community Benefits Cited in Policy Paper

The New America Foundation released an interesting, well written policy paper on Feb.1, 2011 specifically mentioning the Wireless Minneapolis Project:

Minneapolis has served as a leader in digital inclusion issues through its municipal wireless partnership with US Internet.  Wireless Minneapolis created a Digital Inclusion Fund (to distribute a percentage of the wireless revenue to the community) and also provides tech-support, content management tools, a community portal and free website hosting for neighborhood associations.  These resources, which are managed and run by the communities themselves, go a long way towards providing crucial communications services and information for underserved communities. 

Full article: From the Digital Divide to Digital Excellence

CTEP Awarded 750K ADC Grant

MINNEAPOLIS, December 10, 2010 – ADC Foundation announced today that it will make a round of strategic grants totaling $3.75 million to five community partners in the Twin Cities and Juarez, Mexico. Each grant will be $750,000. The Foundation’s grants will be used to promote transformative change in engineering education programs and effective use of computing and communications technologies to better serve disadvantaged populations.

The Community Technology Empowerment Project (St. Paul, MN) received $750,000 to continue and expand their efforts.

This grant will underwrite expansion of CTEP’s AmeriCorps program that places technology specialists in more than 20 Twin Cities neighborhood organizations, expand CTEP’s public outreach, and facilitate the development of community leadership for technology and communications.

Digital Inclusion Forum Coming UP!

http://pplforums.eventbrite.com/

Our world is increasingly ‘digital,’ but thousands are being left behind, limiting employment opportunity, access to education, and stifling full civic participation. Join us on December 6 as we develop an agenda to include everyone in the Twin Cities in a digital society.

December 6, 2010
Registration 3:30 p.m. Program 4:00 p.m.
The Humphrey Institute University of Minnesota

Keynote David Keyes
Community Technology Manager, City of Seattle

Emcee Kit Hadley, St. Paul Public Library

Moderator Catherine Settanni
Community Computer Access Network

Discussion by a panel of community experts

Register at pplforums.eventbrite.com

National Conference on Volunteering and Service

I will be moderating a panel at this year's National Conference on Volunteering and Service. Speaker Bios and Conference Information.
Session 1395
Session Title: Funders as Investors-- Engaging 21st Century Grant Makers(Scheduled for 10:30 AM-Noon, June 30th)