Audio Now Available: The Broadband Stimulus and How Funders Can Address the Needs of Their Communities

On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media, the Council on Foundations and the Rural Funders Collaborative held a teleconference briefing call on how funders can engage with the upcoming, final round of Broadband Stimulus funding.

This spring, the final $4.8B in federal Stimulus funding will be allocated for place-based initiatives that build out high-speed Internet/Broadband to unserved and underserved communities. There are a variety of ways foundations and re-granting organizations, including those unfamiliar with the topic, can support stakeholders in applying for funds.

Experts provided succinct advice about the application process, discussed lessons learned from the first round of funding, and answered funders’ questions. Funder colleagues shared their stories about how they've become involved and how you can also engage: from convening informational sessions with grantees and providing matching funds for new broadband initiatives, to actively coordinating and submitting regional proposals.

Speakers included:
Bernadine Joselyn - Blandin Foundation
Jill Nishi - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Charles Benton - Benton Foundation
Sascha Meinrath - Open Technology Initiative at the New America Foundation

Listen to the file below to learn more about the range of activities the philanthropic community is undertaking to leverage this historic opportunity.