The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation announces our DELL Special Projects Grants

Earlier this year the foundation launched our inaugural Digital Equity Leadership Lab, a foundation-led program for city residents who want to increase their understanding of the internet and strengthen their capacity to advocate for fast, affordable and reliable broadband for all of Baltimore’s neighborhoods. Twenty-three individuals from across the city joined us for a five-week program focused on the internet. 

Upon graduation, participants were invited to submit proposals to a DELL Small Projects Fund. This new “mini grants program” was designed to provide an opportunity for the Foundation to support local-level collaboration between and among DELL graduates through projects that are small-scale, and short-term. Through their proposal, DELL participants were encouraged to develop creative and collaborative solutions to internet inequity challenges at the community-level. In particular, the Foundation was interested in supporting small projects that addressed a compelling community-identified solution or vision. 

In order to be considered, proposals had to meet the following criteria:

• Addresses issues related to internet inequity 

• Collaboratively developed & implemented by at least two DELL partners

• Increases the skills, knowledge or understanding of the community as it relates to the power of the internet as a tool for transformation

Today we’re pleased to share The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation recently made two awards to the following projects:

Digital Equity Community Awareness Fair 

This project's mission is to educate the residents in the Johnston Square Community about the digital divide and disparity that exist in communities of color and society as a whole. Residents will learn about the importance of having fast, reliable, and affordable broadband in the Johnston Square Community, and about the actions taking place to close the digital divide. Attendees will have an opportunity to share in hands-on activities and Facilitator directed workshops intended to enhance their understanding and build confidence. 

A DELL graduate will share lessons learned from attending the learning lab and literature and other handouts will be distributed. Information about the future computer lab that will be housed in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church will be shared and tours of the locations will be given. The activity will take place outdoors in the Rev. William Brown Community Park. Food, music, and other entertainment will be a part of the project.

Collaborators

• Rebuild Johnston Square Neighborhood Organization,

• Baltimore United in Leadership Development (BUILD) 

• Mt. Sinai Baptist Church of Baltimore City

• Johnston Square Elementary School 

Youth Digital Ambassadors Community Conversations

A series of community conversations with youth, designed to gain insight from Baltimore’s young people on the challenges, successes, and tools needed to more effectively support the city’s youth as digital ambassadors. The project will focus on foundational conversations that will help to inform next steps with local youth serving providers, helping them to improve digital literacy programming efforts to better support young people.

The focus groups/community conversations will include a speaker portion and a discussion portion, and will cover topics and questions such as:

• An overview of the digital landscape in Baltimore

• A glossary of terms (and ways to explain them to those averse to the digital environment)

• How do you talk about the internet with friends and family?

• What do you need in order to have these conversations with family, friends, providers, etc? 

• What language do you need to advocate for your and your family’s interests? 

• Where do you use the internet? 

• Where would you like to have internet availability?

Collaborators

• Central Baltimore Partnership

• Greenmount West Community Association

• SOMOS (Students Organizing A Multicultural and Open Society)

• Village Learning Place