Internet Grants for Nonprofits

The internet is often taken for granted by many of us - we presume online access and presence is available for everyone. And yet millions of Americans don’t have any access to the internet, particularly in rural areas and low-income households. There are many nonprofits whose mission it is to try and tackle this gap in service. 

These nonprofits are only able to do this essential work thanks to the generous donations provided by internet grants. These grants can be put towards all kinds of purposes, such as expanding internet access, implementing digital literacy programs or providing public wi-fi initiatives in places such as libraries and community centers.

There are a wide range of different organizations that provide internet grants. These can  include many different private foundations, including the Internet Society Foundation and the Ford Foundation. 

When drafting an internet grant, it is essential to back up your claim with extensive data. You need to prove that there is a significant gap in service within a chosen community, and that your nonprofit is in a unique position to address this gap. Examples of relevant data could include internet-access disparity, the importance of internet access on education or economic development, and a breakdown of costs on developing internet infrastructure. A good place to start collecting data could be the FCC. 

If you need more pointers on drafting great grant proposals, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the topic. You can also start browsing a selection of internet grants right here, all open for applications.