Strategy #1

Address the needs of covered populations

The Digital Equity Competitive Grant program is intended to increase digital equity by addressing barriers faced by “covered populations,” as defined by statute. Applications must demonstrate how they benefit one or more covered populations. 

Covered populations include: 

• • individuals who live in a household with income of 150% of the poverty level or less; 
  • aging individuals;
  • incarcerated individuals (not in a federal facility);
  • veterans; 
  • individuals with disabilities; 
  • individuals with a language barrier, English learners and people with low levels of literacy;
  • individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and 
  • individuals who reside in rural areas.

Competitive grant awards are to focus on reducing barriers to digital equity for the above listed covered populations, especially in ways that complement but are not duplicative of other Digital Equity Act programs (e.g. State Capacity grants).

Strategy #2

Take advantage of NTIA resources

NTIA has created a resource to help potential applicants prepare to develop an application. Key tips include making sure that the relevant staff has a sam.gov account set up in order to access the grants portal, researching how your state or territory plans to expand digital opportunities at internetforall.gov so that you are able to propose complementary projects, and subscribing to the BroadbandUSA Newsletter to receive NTIA e-mail updates and resources. 

Strategy #3

Develop your partnership strategy

NTIA is encouraging eligible entities to strengthen their applications and impact through partnerships. Local governments can partner with or be a partner to:

• • Other local governments or local government authorities;
  • State agencies, including those related to education, workforce development, or public housing;
  • An Indian Tribe, an Alaska Native entity, or a Native Hawaiian organization;
  • Businesses, foundations, and nonprofits;
  • Community-based organizations; 
  • School districts; and 
  • Workforce development programs or an organization that runs a workforce development program. 

You may already have partnerships established or partners in mind, but if not, one good place to start a search for potential partners is the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). NDIA is a membership organization of community-based digital inclusion practitioners and advocates, which maintains a list of its 1700 affiliates from all 50 states that can be filtered by state and zip code. 

The NDIA also publishes a Digital Inclusion Coalition Guidebook (scroll down to download), which was informed by the work of 35 digital inclusion-focused coalitions across the country and provides useful information for building new coalitions as well as helping existing coalitions sustain momentum and adapt to change. 

If you already have partners lined up, make getting partnership letters and authorizations written and signed the first step of your application process. 

Strategy #4

Build on successful models

Each year, the NDIA selects “digital inclusion trailblazers,” ​​local governments who are creating digitally inclusive communities and working to advance digital equity. The digital inclusion trailblazers’ website includes documentation of the city’s progress on digital inclusion as well as staff contact information and is a valuable resource for local government staff seeking to talk to peers about how to advance their digital equity work. 

Cities that are leaders in creating digital inclusion coalitions include Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Chattanooga. These websites contain information like membership lists, member responsibilities, annual reports, etc. that are useful models for local leaders hoping to create something similar while tailoring it to their own city’s needs.