Resources from our funder briefing, The Broadband Connection: Jobs, Justice and Sustainable Communities

[Source: GFEM, October 7, 2010]

As part of our ongoing funder education programming, our October, 2010 funder briefing focused on broadband’s connection to jobs, economic development and vibrant communities. From filling out job applications and getting social services to doing homework and growing small businesses, broadband is increasingly the only way to get things done. Presenters Laura Efurd from ZeroDivide and Scott Marquardt, representing the Blandin Foundation, spoke about how their foundations use broadband as a tool to advance economic development, community viability, skills-training and job development in Los Angeles and Minnesota.

Funders of every size and focus can make substantial contributions to broadband infrastructure, planning, technology training, advocacy and education through targeted and often small grants.

A presentation to lay out the issue of broadband, its necessity and its impact on jobs and growth is available here and may be shared with attribution. http://portal.sliderocket.com/AEWTK/Broadband-call-slides

PowerPoint presentations from both speakers are attached. In addition, ZeroDivide's Case Study, "Youth Institute/ Change Agent Productions" is available here: http://www.zerodivide.org/publications/zerodivide_case_study_youth_institutechange_agent_productions.

A terrific selection of videos focusing on both the urban and rural digital divide are available at InternetforEveryone.org's "America Offline project". http://www.internetforeveryone.org/americaoffline

For questions or additional resources please contact Sarah Armour-Jones.

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