Broadband Stimulus Resources Page

"Your Grantees, Broadband and the Stimulus: A Unique Opportunity for Philanthropic Investment"

A Briefing by GFEM's Media Policy Working Group - June 10, 2009

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the U.S. Congress has allocated an unprecedented $7.2 billion to bridge the digital divide via buildout of high-speed Internet service, or broadband, to unserved and underserved communities. 

How might the philanthropic community leverage our resources for maximum impact?

Key Points for Funders to Consider:

• Eligibility of nonprofits and local/state governments
• 20% match needed for projects to be eligible, up to 80% of funding can be provided by Stimulus money
• 3 application windows, all complete by September 2010
• Rural emphasis, though "unserved" and "underserved" across the board
• Non-infrastructure-related funding available 
• Regional collaborations prioritized

Website Resources:

• Benton Foundation
• Blandin on Broadband
• BroadbandCensus.com

Articles/Background Information:

• Background Info on Broadband Stimulus Funding (up to $4 billion)
• "How to Apply for Broadband Stimulus Funding" - Application Guides
• One Foundation's Model Approach - The Blandin Foundation (click on attachment at bottom of page)
• Broadband Deployment's "Best in Breed" - A Benton Foundation Forum (May 7,2009)
• Let's Get to Work on the Purposes of the Broadband Grants Program - Benton Foundation
• First, Interstate Highways, Now Broadband: The FCC's Report on Bringing Broadband to Rural America - The Daily Yonder
• What's the Public CIO's Role With Broadband Stimulus? - Craig Settles, GovTech
• National Public Lightpath, Project Summary - Click on attachment at bottom of page
• Webcast of National Town Hall Meeting on Broadband Stimulus


Our presenters for this briefing call on June 10, 2009, were:
• Drew Clark - Executive Director and Editor, BroadbandCensus.com
• Bernadine Joselyn- Director of Public Policy, The Blandin Foundation
• Joaquin Alvarado - Senior VP for Diversity and Innovation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting