Launch a Digital Inclusion Program — Even in Today’s Funding Environment
Today, when many nonprofits in our industry are having to shutter digital inclusion and equity programs and losing the related talent, there’s a viable option for reducing the digital divide — NTEN’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship.
In 2025, Federal funding for digital inclusion programs has dried up. So if you have an idea to add a digital equity program at your organization, are you out of luck?
Not so fast.
Have you wondered who currently provides digital equity or digital inclusion grants or who funds digital navigators? We partnered with the Community Foundation Boulder County and NTEN to help people around the country stand up new programs focused on closing the digital divide.
Based in Portland, Oregon, NTEN helps nonprofits put technology to work for social change through courses, certificates, cohorts, and publications while supporting organizations to advance the skillful and equitable use of technology.
NTEN’s 2025 Digital Inclusion Fellowship
The Digital Inclusion Fellowship supports staff at local nonprofits that want to lead change in their communities by bridging the digital divide. Each year, a new cohort of fellows across the US receive the training, coaching, and funding needed to create a digital literacy program that fits their community’s needs.
The deadline to apply to be part of the 2025 cohort is July 31, 2025. Applications are then reviewed, applicants are interviewed and accepted members of the cohort are notified on August 18th.
If you’re working at a nonprofit and want to launch a digital inclusion initiative this year, this fellowship exists to turn your idea into reality.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
How it Works
NTEN is currently recruiting the 2025 cohort from rural areas and Tribal communities throughout the country as well as the following cities:
- AL – Huntsville
- CO – Anywhere in the state
- GA – Atlanta
- IA – Des Moines, West Des Moines
- MO – Kansas City metro
- NC – Durham
- NE – Omaha
- NV – Las Vegas
- OH – Cleveland
- TN – Nashville
- TX – Austin, Round Rock, Travis County, Kyle, San Antonio
- UT – Salt Lake Metro
Developing a Cohort
The 2025 cohort gathers for a five-day in-person orientation in Portland, Oregon at the end of September. Participants arrive with ideas for the programs they want to stand up. Together, the cohort and members of the NTEN team help develop the programs and create strategies for launching and sustaining each program. The NTEN staff provides comprehensive support, including orientation and monthly training focused on program design and project management skills.
- Mentorship through check-ins with NTEN staff and connections with former fellows.
- Connection with a national network of digital inclusion experts.
- All fellowship-related costs are covered.
- A project mini-grant between $1,000 and $5,000.
The cohort also has access to additional resources including Digital Inclusion fellows from previous cohorts and mentorship through check-ins with NTEN staff and connections from digital equity nonprofits in their geographic area.
Keeping it Going
Throughout the next year, the cohort meets virtually to discuss successes, challenges, and solutions. They also gather in-person as guests and potential speakers at NTEN’s annual Nonprofit Technology Conference.
Each participant shares that same goal — to get their program up and running during the next 12 months and position it to become an ongoing program within their respective organizations. The Digital Inclusion Fellowship is designed to do just that.
Community Foundation Boulder County Provides Support
Through their Digital Equity Field of Interest Fund, a fund held at Community Foundation Boulder County, a Colorado-based participant will be funded, if one is chosen.
Under the belief that in an increasingly interconnected world, access to digital resources and technology is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity for individuals and communities to thrive, the Digital Equity Field of Interest Fund supports organizations and programs working on all facets of digital equity with the goal of expanding access and education to the digital world.
The Digital Equity Field of Interest Fund’s support allocates $25,000 that includes mini-grant funding of between $1,000 and $5,000, travel expenses, a year of monthly professional development opportunities, extensive support from NTEN staff, the chance to earn NTEN's Digital Equity Professional Certificate, as well as opportunities to speak, be published, and gain recognition as a leader in digital inclusion.
35 Mile Foundation’s Mentorship Role and More
Our involvement in the Digital Inclusion Fellowship is threefold.
- We were seed funders of the Digital Equity Field of Interest Fund operated by Community Foundation Boulder County. Our staff holds two seats on the committee that advises on the Digital Equity Field of Interest Fund, assisting the Fund in finding experienced grantees with effective programs.
- Our own Cassie Bair has collaborated with Amy Sample Ward, NTEN’s CEO, for over a decade. Cassie proposed NTEN to the Fund’s committee to form today’s three-way partnership. Through this collaboration, we’re addressing the gap in digital inclusion services in Colorado and helping fill the void created by this year’s Federal funding cuts.
While 35 Mile Foundation seeded the Field of Interest Fund that sponsors a Colorado-based Fellow, we deliberately stay out of the selection process of the Fellows so we don't influence NTEN’s decisions. They will follow their normal selection process.
- We will be available to act as mentors for a Colorado-based cohort member. As members of the Digital Equity Field of Interest Fund committee, we are happy to serve as a professional resource as well. The scholarship that the Field of Interest Fund provides ensures that the Colorado-based Fellow receives innovative training in digital inclusion, adult education, community outreach, program design, and more.
Why We Support the Digital Inclusion Fellowship
Due to funding cuts, very few organizations are currently ramping up their giving in the digital inclusion and equity space. The Digital Inclusion Fellowship is a benefit to nonprofits that have been hard hit by these cuts. If you are one of these organizations, we encourage you to think about how you can leverage a network of assets to drive digital inclusion activities.
NTEN Has a Proven Model of Success
After a decade, NTEN has shown the effectiveness of the Digital Inclusion Fellowship. Let’s take a look at the 2023 cohort. They launched innovative programs tailored to their communities that serve individuals often overlooked in digital equity efforts. Some examples include:
- Provided technology education for justice-involved women (currently or formerly incarcerated) that helps women gain employment-focused technology skills
- Designed bilingual initiatives for seniors to better serve library patrons
- Launched a digital skills mobile computer lab that integrates digital skills programs into existing workforce development and adult education programs
- Developed a platform where former immigrants, new refugees, and asylees could join to learn and acquire basic computer skills
- Developed a Digital Navigator course to train new digital navigators
- Taught both students and parents in Spanish and English digital skills essential in today’s world
- Created a Digital Navigator Handbook and Resource Guide designed to help volunteers and participants work on digital skills including fraud prevention, career navigation, and workforce development
“As a Digital Inclusion Fellow, I helped expand access to technology in urban areas where digital resources are often limited, especially for immigrant communities. This role strengthened my organization’s ability to serve underrepresented populations more equitably and advance systemic change.”
— Gladys Esmeralda Jaggers, Guadalupe Centers, Kansas City
Recent Successes
Across nine states, the 2023 fellows had a measurable impact.
19,159 hours of digital skills training were provided
5,068 unique participants engaged in their programs
835 volunteers and staff received digital inclusion training
Stand Up a Digital Equity Program
We encourage people in the designated areas to apply by July 31, 2025.
Today, when many nonprofits in our industry are having to shutter digital inclusion and equity programs and losing the related talent, there are viable options for reducing the digital divide. The Digital Inclusion Fellowship is one of those options and one with a decade-long track record of delivering services to people being left out of the benefits of living in today’s digital world.
We’re excited to see what the 2025 cohort creates in support of their communities.
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