Using GrantCraft to Write a Technology Access Grant

Technology Access Grants: Bridging the Digital Divide

The digital divide remains one of the most significant equity issues in communities across the country. Millions of people lack reliable internet access, affordable devices, and the digital literacy skills needed to participate fully in education, employment, healthcare, and civic life. Technology access grants fund programs that address these gaps, from community broadband projects and device distribution programs to digital literacy training and public technology centers.

Major funding sources include the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate and Emergency Connectivity programs, state broadband offices, private technology foundations, and corporate giving programs from companies like Google, Microsoft, and Comcast. The GrantCraft Proposal Builder provides the structure to develop a compelling technology access proposal.

Step 2: Documenting the Digital Divide

Technology access need statements require specific data about connectivity, device access, and digital skills in your service area. Step 2 of the builder prompts you to describe the problem. For technology access proposals, layer your data across three dimensions of the digital divide:

Connectivity Gap

Document the percentage of households in your service area without broadband internet access. Use data from the FCC's Broadband Data Collection, the American Community Survey's computer and internet use supplement, and any state or local broadband assessments. If possible, differentiate between areas where broadband is unavailable versus areas where it is available but unaffordable.

Device Gap

Document the percentage of households without adequate computing devices. A smartphone-only household faces significant limitations compared to a household with a laptop or desktop computer, particularly for remote work, online education, and accessing government services. The American Community Survey provides data on computer ownership by demographic and geographic characteristics.

Skills Gap

Document the level of digital literacy in your target population. This is often the hardest gap to quantify, but sources include the PIAAC survey of adult skills, state adult education data, and local surveys conducted by libraries, workforce centers, or community organizations. The skills gap is critical because providing hardware and connectivity without digital literacy support often fails to achieve meaningful adoption.

For guidance on structuring compelling need statements, see our resource on defining the grant problem and need statement.

Step 3: Technology Access Objectives

Step 3 of the builder guides your SMART objectives. Technology access objectives should measure changes in connectivity, device access, digital skills, and the downstream outcomes that technology enables. Examples include:

• "Provide broadband-capable devices to 500 low-income households in the target area within 18 months."
• "Connect 300 previously unconnected households to affordable broadband service within 12 months through a partnership with local internet service providers."
• "90 percent of digital literacy training participants will demonstrate basic proficiency in internet navigation, email, and online safety as measured by the Northstar Digital Literacy assessment."
• "60 percent of program participants who complete digital skills training will report using technology for employment-related activities within six months."

Notice that these objectives combine immediate outputs like device distribution with longer-term outcomes like digital skill acquisition and functional technology use. This layered approach shows funders that you understand technology access as more than a hardware problem. See our guide on SMART objectives and specific aims for more framework guidance.

Step 4: Designing a Digital Equity Program

Step 4 asks you to describe your program design. Effective technology access programs typically include multiple interconnected components:

Device Provision

Describe how you will acquire and distribute devices. Will you purchase new devices, refurbish donated equipment, or both? What type of devices will you provide, and how did you determine that these devices meet the needs of your target population? Include a plan for technical support and device maintenance.

Connectivity Solutions

Describe how you will address internet access. Options include subsidized broadband subscriptions, community Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile hotspot lending programs, or partnerships with internet service providers for discounted service. Explain how you will help eligible households access existing subsidy programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Digital Literacy Training

Describe your training curriculum, delivery format, and staffing. Will you offer in-person classes, one-on-one coaching, online tutorials, or a combination? What specific skills will you teach, and how do they connect to the needs of your target population? Reference established digital literacy frameworks like Northstar Digital Literacy Standards or the ISTE Standards to demonstrate that your curriculum is grounded in recognized competencies.

Ongoing Support

Describe how you will provide technical assistance after the initial intervention. Drop-in help desks, telephone support lines, and peer mentoring programs help participants overcome the inevitable challenges they encounter as new technology users. Ongoing support is what separates sustainable digital inclusion from one-time device giveaways.

Step 5: Technology Access Budget

Technology access budgets include categories specific to this type of work. Step 5 of the builder helps you organize costs across standard categories, and for technology grants you should plan for:

• Hardware: Computers, tablets, monitors, keyboards, mice, and peripherals. Include shipping and setup costs.
• Software: Operating systems, productivity suites, security software, and any specialized applications needed for training.
• Connectivity: Broadband subscriptions, hotspot devices and data plans, networking equipment for community access points.
• Personnel: Digital literacy trainers, technical support staff, program coordinators, and outreach workers.
• Training materials: Printed guides, online learning platform subscriptions, and assessment tools.
• Facilities: Technology center space, furniture, electrical and network infrastructure.

Technology costs change rapidly, so base your budget on current pricing from vendor quotes rather than estimates. If your project spans multiple years, account for the possibility that hardware costs may decrease while service subscription costs may increase. See our guide on grant budget fundamentals for additional budgeting guidance.

Step 6: Measuring Digital Inclusion Outcomes

Step 6 of the builder guides your evaluation plan. Technology access evaluation should measure adoption and use, not just distribution. Giving someone a laptop is an output. Teaching them to use it for job searching and having them obtain employment is an outcome. Your evaluation plan should track the full chain from access to skills to functional use to life improvement.

Common evaluation tools for technology access programs include the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment for skills measurement, participant surveys for technology use frequency and confidence, and tracking of downstream outcomes like employment, education enrollment, or healthcare access.

Step 7: Demonstrating Technology Capacity

In Step 7, describe your organization's technology infrastructure and expertise. Funders want to see that you have the technical capacity to manage a technology program, including IT staff or partnerships, experience with device management and deployment, and the ability to provide ongoing technical support.

Use the GrantCraft Tips section for additional advice on strengthening each section, and complete the Readiness Checklist before submitting your proposal.

Technology Access Proposal Checklist

• Document the digital divide across connectivity, device, and skills dimensions.
• Set objectives that measure adoption and use, not just distribution.
• Design a multi-component program addressing hardware, connectivity, training, and support.
• Budget with current vendor quotes for all technology costs.
• Plan evaluation that tracks the full chain from access to life outcomes.
• Demonstrate organizational technology capacity and partnerships.
• Use the GrantCraft Proposal Builder to organize your complete proposal.

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