Organizations working together may apply for up to $50,000 to help residents access technology
Alice, a woman in her 50s living with ADHD and mental health challenges, was facing significant obstacles in life. Difficulties with managing hygiene and cleanliness in her home caused further health problems that prohibited Alice from attending much-needed behavioral health appointments. And without access to an internet-connected device, and few digital literacy skills, Alice couldn’t move forward.
Then she was introduced to Vinfen, a community-based nonprofit providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries and behavioral health challenges. Through Vinfen – a 2024 grantee of an ECCF Advancing Digital Equity Partnership Grant – Alice received a refurbished smartphone, access to affordable internet service and the opportunity to work with a Digital Navigator: a trusted guide who assists community members with ongoing, individualized support to connect with technology.
Alice’s Digital Navigator taught her how to set up reminders and use calendar apps to manage household tasks and how to navigate telehealth appointments so she could easily access the healthcare she needs.
“This program sets up the people we serve for success and gives them the tools to get them where they want to be in life,” said the Digital Navigator who worked with Alice.
At Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, a woman named Indira used the skills acquired in their technology program, also supported by a 2024 ECCF grant, to revise her résumé, communicate more professionally at work and earn a promotion along with a salary increase. The organization says that Indira’s story reflects the broader transformation they’re seeing: participants gaining the tools they need to thrive both professionally and personally.
“These programs support people on an individual level, certainly. A device or access to the internet can give someone a whole new lease on life,” said Kate Machet, ECCF’s vice president of systems initiatives and government relations. Machet heads up ECCF’s Advancing Digital Equity initiative, which was launched in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the true depth of the digital divide was exposed.
“But when we take a look at the bigger picture, we see that connecting more people to technology is transformative at the population level too,” she added. “Bridging the digital divide boosts our regional workforce, increases economic empowerment and civic engagement, strengthens our regional economy and so much more. It is truly a vital part of a resilient Essex County.”
To support more programs like these in Essex County, where thousands of people still lack access to devices, affordable internet and digital literacy training, ECCF is pleased to announce that applications for the next round of Advancing Digital Equity Partnership Grants open Sept. 18.
ECCF will award grants of up to $50,000 to collaborative projects focused on filling digital equity-related needs in Essex County. The foundation is looking for organizations that are collaborating with at least one other partner to increase equitable device distribution, free or affordable internet access or digital literacy training. Partners could include additional nonprofits, community organizations, municipalities and/or for-profit businesses.
“We continue to really focus on opportunities to invest in organizations that aim to change how the system works,” said Jessica Vilas Novas, a systems philanthropy consultant with ECCF who works closely with Machet on Digital Equity. “That’s our goal with the partnership grants – to bring organizations together, inspire them to do things a little differently and create lasting change by helping to foster those trusted partnerships.”
This type of collaboration is a major focus of ECCF’s systems philanthropy approach.
Starting Sept. 18, organizations may apply for a Digital Equity Partnership Grant by visiting www.eccf.org/digital-equity-partnership-grant/, where complete guidelines and eligibility requirements are listed. The application deadline is Dec. 2, 2025, and grants will be awarded by the end of the calendar year.
ECCF will host an information and Q&A session for nonprofits wanting to learn more about the grant application process on Sept. 25. Additionally, 20-minute, one-on-one consultations will be offered during virtual office hours on Oct. 10, Oct. 21 and Nov. 7.
“We want to give organizations interested in applying for a Digital Equity Partnership Grant every opportunity to learn more, ask questions and get any advice or guidance they need,” said Vilas Novas. “We want to be as supportive as possible.”
To date, Essex County Community Foundation has invested more than $3.3 million to expand digital access across Essex County.
“And as a result, our region has grown stronger,” said Machet. “Digital access is foundational to Essex County’s resiliency and our capacity to make strides together – in all areas. It has been a real privilege to be a part of this work and watch it grow and flourish.”
To learn more about ECCF’s work in Digital Equity, and to read about the success of past grantees, please visit https://www.eccf.org/digital-equity/.
