digital equity initiative partnership grant

Only nonprofit organizations recognized as tax exempt or those with fiscal sponsorship under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for consideration.

ECCF is committed to non-discrimination. We support organizations that use all reasonable efforts to recruit, hire, train, promote and serve persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where such status is a bona fide qualification for the service being provided and is related to the organization’s mission.

Generally, our grants are not awarded:

• To individuals
• To state or local government agencies including public schools
• For political purposes
• For debt or deficit reduction
• To replace public funding, or for purposes which are generally a public sector responsibility
• To support academic research
• For travel outside the region
• To organizations headquartered outside of Essex County, unless they have a physical presence in the Merrimack Valley.

When reviewing proposals, the Digital Equity Initiative Partnership Grants Committee highly considers:

• Applicants that understand ecosystems and how their project and partners fit into the system, all working towards a shared goal.
• Applicants that understand the importance of a strong team and have a sense of who would take over the project if there were to be a change in team leadership.
• Applicants who understand who their audience is, and the impact they will make and is clear with numbers and other metrics.

Additionally, the following is considered:

• Projects that offer the most significant impact for the contribution dollar.
• Potential for continuation or impact beyond the grant period.

The Committee may request a site visit during the review period in December to gather additional information or to learn more about a new program or organization.

Please contact Kate Machet at k.machet@eccf.org with any questions about the guidelines.

Proposals must be submitted through ECCF’s Application Portal.

If you do not yet have a login for our application Portal, please read our Grant Application Process page which will give you access to the Portal.

ECCF staff, together with the Digital Equity Initiative Partnership Grant Review Committee, will review all proposals for the grant program.  We will notify grant recipients by mid January 2025.

An ECCF staff person or member of the Review Committee may contact applicants for additional information about a proposal or to arrange a site visit during the review process.

Quarterly check-in meetings will be held to support the development of partnership projects and the continued development of the digital equity ecosystem. Interim reports are due prior to the mid-year check-in meeting and should be submitted through the Application Portal. Final reports are due prior to the end of year check-in meeting and should be submitted through the Application Portal.

Funded lead applicants and partners are required to become members of the digital equity coalition if not already.

Grantees will be emailed information and a link to the final report form or may access the form through the Application Portal after it has been assigned.