The City of Seattle has announced the recipients of the 2021 Technology Matching Fund, which provides aid to community-led projects increasing access to technology and providing digital skills training for underserved communities.

The fund is investing $343,000 in 15 organizations, with grants ranging from $11,000 to $25,000. Organizations have pledged a total of $480,795 to match City dollars with at least 50 percent in cash or in-kind contributions of labor, professional services and donated hardware and software.

“This past year made clear both how essential reliable internet is and how many obstacles to access remain for historically disadvantaged groups and neighborhoods,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a news release. “This investment will help bridge Seattle’s digital divide by making access more affordable and more available for more people while investing in programs that develop the skills required to compete in a digital economy. This is how we build back better.”

The Technology Matching Fund was created in 1997 and has since awarded more than $6 million to organizations, funding more than 365 community technology projects. The City of Seattle’s Community Technology Advisory Board recommended the funded projects from a competitive pool of 55 applicants, which submitted proposals totaling over $1,288,000 in requested funding.

Here are 2021 Technology Matching Fund recipients. Read more about the projects here.

  • Boys & Girls Club of King County, Technology Station @ Lowell Boys & Girls Club
  • East African Community Services, East African Digital Literacy Project
  • Equity in Education Coalition, AmeriCorps Digital Navigation Cohort
  • Kin On Health Care Center, Kin On SmartLab: Smart Living for Seniors
  • Literacy Source, Digital Literacy for Immigrants/Refugees
  • Multimedia Resources & Training Institute, Bridging the Divide through Digital Navigators
  • Path with Art, Evolving Creative Connections: Voices of Unhoused
  • Renaissance 21, Virtual STEAM Discovery Project
  • Senior Center of West Seattle, Building Community Through Connections
  • Simulated Immersive eXperimental Realities, [FFMF] Future Founders Maker Fellowship
  • Somali Family Safety Task Force, 2021 Somali Digital Literacy Project
  • Sound Generations, Digital Access and Equity for Lake City Seniors
  • The Vera Project, Equip the Kids – Production Lab & Lending Library
  • Wa Na Wari, Digital Production Utility Kit
  • Windz of Change Alliance, Indigenouz Collective Cyber Communications
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