Thursday, August 22, 2013

Upcoming Grant Opportunity:: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund



Upcoming Grant Opportunity
from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
The Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund is administered by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and is open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations performing digital inclusion work in the five county metropolitan area (Jackson, Clay and Platte in Missouri, and Jackson and Wyandotte in Kansas).
  
Application Deadline: September 27 at 5 p.m. 
Contact: Matthew Fuller, fuller@gkccf.org, 816.627.3420 
The Community Foundation will be hosting several grant information sessions focused on the Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund. To register for a grant information session, please click on the link associated with the session you wish to attend. Space is limited, please limit your registration to two individuals per organization.

Sessions will be held on the following days:

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

OperationJumpstart: Last orientation

Entrepreneurs, don't miss out on this opportunity!

Call with any questions you may have...

This Thursday is our last orientation.  Please pass on flyer.
 
Judy Bumpus
Bloom Business Consulting
"Teaching you to grow your business and work skills"
816-786-3959
Judybumpus@att.net

Monday, August 19, 2013

Fall of Fundraising Webinar Series


The Leadership & Sustainability Institute for Black Male Achievement wants to help you prepare for a strong Fall of Fundraising. Please join us for three upcoming webinars focused on the critical topics of financial sustainability and marketing/communications:
 
1. Wednesday, September 4th, 2-3:30pm (EST): "The Minute Message Model" by Mission Minded.
 
    So—what does your nonprofit do? Tell us in under a minute. Many nonprofits "do" so many great things that their messaging suffers as a result—there's just so much to say, it seems impossible to keep it short and sweet. If you share this frustrating experience, start with one simple idea: focus on benefits, not features.
 
    Our Minute Message Model offers a framework to guide nonprofit leaders in creating the clear, compelling messages that move their audiences to action. We believe you're better equipped with real stories—not cold statistics. With your Minute Messages in hand, you'll be able to make a powerful connection with new supporters, and remind current ones why you're important to them.
 
* Participants will develop a draft minute message or "rocket pitch" for your organization right in this webinar.
 
2. Wednesday, September 25th, 2-3:30pm (EST): "Principles of Fundraising" by the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
 
GIFT trainers will lead a rich discussion on the principles and politics of grassroots fundraising that is rooted in racial and economic social justice. Learn in this training how the bulk of money given away in the US comes from working and middle class individuals (not foundations or corporations) and introduces the concept that fundraising IS political and needs to be integrated into the rest of the organization's programs to be successful. As we continue the political and philosophical framework for the training we look at the "pillars" of a strong fundraising program.  A discussion on the importance of mission-driven fundraising and developing ongoing relationships with your donors which raising money and creating a constituency that supports the "cause".  This webinar will be interactive and participatory for attendees. 
 
 
3. Thursday, October 24th, 2-3:30pm (EST): "How to Ask for Money: Strategies, Tips and Pitches" by the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
 
We understand that for many of us, communities of color and marginalized communities, we have "baggage", community taboos, and myths that get in the way of our ability to ask for money. In this interactive popular education-based discussion format will dispel myths who gives and receives money, who can be a good fundraiser, and learn essential skill sets that will help us to ask for money for our critical work by our communities and allies.
 
 
Please RSVP for any or all of these webinars by clicking here.
 
These webinars will be most useful for those in nonprofit, philanthropy, academia, and community-based groups. Presenter information is below.
 
 
Mission Minded presenters:

  • Jennie Walton: is a 25-year marketing veteran sought for her expertise in branding and positioning nonprofit organizations. Since co-founding Mission Minded in 2002, Jennie has served as a strategic advisor for over 150 nonprofit organizations, and has inspired hundreds more as a nationally sought lecturer. With gifts in the areas of brand strategy, messaging, and fundraising, Jennie excels at helping senior nonprofit leaders clarify how they talk about their work, which leads to greater organizational stability, increased revenues, and an expanded ability to deliver on the mission of the organization.
  • Zach Hochstadt: is a Mission Minded Founding Partner and runs Mission Minded's Denver office. Zach is a branding and strategic communications expert with a gift for imagining and then translating organizational initiatives into creative solutions. As a brand strategist, writer, trainer, and creative director, Zach has served over 150 nonprofit organizations, including Levi Strauss Foundation, Center for Investigative Reporting, Western Resource Advocates, and Children's Museum of Denver.
 
Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training presenters:

  • Laurene Francois: who alternates between her first name and her family name is an Oakland resident by way of Brooklyn, NY. She is first generation American and has strong roots and connections to Haiti.  Francois is the Training Director at the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) where she works with grassroots organizing and community based organizations around the country facilitating trainings and workshops, co-developing curriculum and supporting the leadership development of people fundraising in various capacities both in and outside non-profits.  Using popular education as a means to elevate the legacies of giving and resourcing in communities of color, she continues to work to make fundraising and finance literacy accessible and empowering to all.  She enjoys going out &lounging with friends, re-reading The Boondocks, biking and playing ping-pong. 
  • Ryan Li Dahlstrom: has worked at the intersection of LGBTQ youth, and anti-violence movements for the past decade as a fundraiser, organizer, facilitator, and trainer. Currently, he is the Movement Building Director at the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) and Co-Editor of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal where he support and elevates the works of communities mobilizing resources for organizations and movements. Prior to GIFT, Ryan Li was the Executive Director of the Trans Youth Support Network (TYSN), an organizing and leadership developing project for trans and gender non-conforming youth in Minnesota. He's participated in the Brown Boi Project's leadership program as well as PFund Foundations' Racial Equity Imitative. Currently he is a board member of Community United Against Violence (CUAV) and Astra Lesbian Foundation for Justice.
 
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@lsibma.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
 
Onward,
The Leadership & Sustainability Institute team
 
As part of its mission, the LSI will be delivering webinars on a range of topics based on your input, including areas like measurement & evaluation, strategic communications, best practices for direct service and advocacy activities, and building strong management teams. Webinars will provide practical strategies and steps to strengthen and sustain the work of leaders, organizations and networks, and will include opportunities to discuss priority challenges and solutions with peers in the LSI network across the country.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Re: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

Thank you Robyne for your comment, ideas and for the work you are already doing with young people.

I concur with you and Mike on points raised. When you have time we can talk to explore how those activities you mentioned may be squeezed into range of the grant guidelines?

I already have some thoughts on how we may approach this opportunity.

Lazone

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 15, 2013, at 9:56 AM, Robyne Stevenson <RobyneStevenson@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm on vacation, but the fun never stops in KC! Thanks for sending this Lazone. I've been in KC long enough to know that Mike Green has a spot on assessment of the situation. It also is apparent that the most innovative non profit in the area - Connecting For Good - will be quite limited in what they can do with the funds, but would be able to pay staff and support volunteers that do the digital literacy part of their program. The one opportunity I see in this grant is that one of the eligible activities is 
areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
That provides an opportunity for actually supporting business development that includes tech infusion and job hunting could mean finding a client base for those new businesses. But I am quite doubtful that the granting fund envisions or would entertain something that strays away from the highly privileged viewpoint from which this grant notice is written. I am really tired of the "lets help poor people and then we're done" mentality - as if the digital divide is simply dumb poor people who have never used a computer. The fastest growing penetration of smart phones is in black and latino urban communities. The lines for computers at urban branch libraries is crushing. Urban students do their homework, research, and write papers on their smart phones. Cloud based computing enables great mobility and portability of your work regardless of what device you use. Today digital literacy is about being able to take advantage of the phenomenal growth in online apps and programs that are available and useful in developing and operating a business, building a product and market, and collaboration. Most successful entrepreneurs are those that are working in a collaborative environment where others are working on similar projects. I continue to believe that such space is lacking in urban communities where poverty and joblessness are high yet where there are entrepreneurs are in place. Digital skills start at basic access, but the real impact is in going well beyond that and building economic opportunity.  I'll be back in KC in time to attend the first session and I have my reservation. I have been working with another nonprofit in the midtown area that has interest in the collaborative space idea. If anyone else is interested in that approach - please feel free to contact me directly - Robyne Stevenson robyne@viablethird.com. I own a business, not a nonprofit, so I am not eligible to be the grantee. However, I am open and willing to partner with nonprofits. 

Thanks, Lazone for putting together this email list as a forum of interested people. 

Robyne

Robyne Stevenson
816-217-8532
find me on LinkedInScribdFacebook, Twitter


On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 7:02 PM, Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org> wrote:
FYI

#####

Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund, unveiled at a Wednesday luncheon, has been created with $1 million in corporate and foundation gifts. The fund will allow area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to provide computer access or teach residents about using computers and the Internet.





Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

  • The challenge: Recent data show that 25 percent of Kansas Citians don;t have broadband at home, and 17 percent don't use the Internet at all. When asked why they aren't online, non-users cite two main reasons: lack of relevance and lack of access.
  • The opportunity: The Digital Inclusion Fund will support local projects that provide computer access; make it easy to get online; help make the Internet relevant, exciting, and beneficial for new users; and increase people's digital skills.




Eligible projects will target one or more of the following focus areas:

  • people who don't use the Internet but are interested in learning how to get online and need help 
  • people who don't use the Internet and who lack a computer or perceive high costs to Internet access
  • areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
  • seniors who don't use the Internet, with emphasis on access to health information
  • school children in homes without Internet access 

Eligible expenses and activities to be supported may include, but are not limited to:

  • Program costs including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program / project
  • Training and support for volunteers who assist in program / project implementation
  • Hardware, software and Internet connectivity to be used to provide digital skills training for target population members (e.g. devices + portable hotspots for mobile computer labs)*

Contact person: 

Matthew Fuller, fuller@gkccf.org or 816.627.3420



Thursday, August 15, 2013

Re: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

Please note that I am a small business entrepreneur & trainer/educator in all aspects of business-marketing-management, I also partner in 3 new entrepreneurial endeavors in Topeka that can support all aspects of training and small business support needs: Topeka Office Suites (TopekaOffice.com); Topeka Virtual Offices; Topeka Event Center (TopekaEventCenter.com).  I have attached brochures on both the Office-Virtual Office Suites and Topeka Event Center.  Please contact me if I can ever provide a service or be of any assistance with these type of programs in our area.
 
Regards,
 
Clark W. Trammell, CEO
Topeka Event Center/Topeka Office Suites
 
785-338-8892 (o)
785-213-5090 (c)
-----Original Message-----
From: Robyne Stevenson <RobyneStevenson@gmail.com>
To: Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org>; Zachary Beall <letsservekc@gmail.com>
Cc: visionkc <visionkc@aol.com>; cprice27 <cprice27@aol.com>; Brennan Crawford <bcrawford@kckcc.edu>; Thomas M. Scott <tscott@kckha.org>; Tarence Maddox <tmaddox801@yahoo.com>; LaVita Gassoway <lavitaw34@gmail.com>; Beverly J Darby <bettyjdarby1@yahoo.com>; Pamela McKnight Cyrus K. <pdmck23@hotmail.com>; Edwards, Mildred [GO] [GO] <Mildred.Edwards@ks.gov>; april.dohle <april.dohle@hotmail.com>; Richard Mabion <rmabion@sbcglobal.net>; senhaley <senhaley@aol.com>; rollins <rollins@ucmo.edu>; Doris Williams <dwill918@sbcglobal.net>; cwiliet@aol.com <cwilieT@aol.com>; Matthew Gassen <matt@winstonmeriwether.com>; IBSA Grants Blog <lazone.grants@blogger.com>; Trent Howerton <trenth@workforcepartnership.com>; Scott Anglemyer <scotta@workforcepartnership.com>; Christal Watson <cwatson.kbcc@gmail.com>; christalwatson <christalwatson@kbccinc.com>; Mike Green <amikegreen2@yahoo.com>; terrance gunn <tgunn421@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 15, 2013 9:56 am
Subject: Re: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

I'm on vacation, but the fun never stops in KC! Thanks for sending this Lazone. I've been in KC long enough to know that Mike Green has a spot on assessment of the situation. It also is apparent that the most innovative non profit in the area - Connecting For Good - will be quite limited in what they can do with the funds, but would be able to pay staff and support volunteers that do the digital literacy part of their program. The one opportunity I see in this grant is that one of the eligible activities is 
areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
That provides an opportunity for actually supporting business development that includes tech infusion and job hunting could mean finding a client base for those new businesses. But I am quite doubtful that the granting fund envisions or would entertain something that strays away from the highly privileged viewpoint from which this grant notice is written. I am really tired of the "lets help poor people and then we're done" mentality - as if the digital divide is simply dumb poor people who have never used a computer. The fastest growing penetration of smart phones is in black and latino urban communities. The lines for computers at urban branch libraries is crushing. Urban students do their homework, research, and write papers on their smart phones. Cloud based computing enables great mobility and portability of your work regardless of what device you use. Today digital literacy is about being able to take advantage of the phenomenal growth in online apps and programs that are available and useful in developing and operating a business, building a product and market, and collaboration. Most successful entrepreneurs are those that are working in a collaborative environment where others are working on similar projects. I continue to believe that such space is lacking in urban communities where poverty and joblessness are high yet where there are entrepreneurs are in place. Digital skills start at basic access, but the real impact is in going well beyond that and building economic opportunity.  I'll be back in KC in time to attend the first session and I have my reservation. I have been working with another nonprofit in the midtown area that has interest in the collaborative space idea. If anyone else is interested in that approach - please feel free to contact me directly - Robyne Stevenson robyne@viablethird.com. I own a business, not a nonprofit, so I am not eligible to be the grantee. However, I am open and willing to partner with nonprofits. 

Thanks, Lazone for putting together this email list as a forum of interested people. 

Robyne

Robyne Stevenson
816-217-8532
find me on LinkedInScribdFacebook, Twitter


On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 7:02 PM, Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org> wrote:
FYI

#####

Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund, unveiled at a Wednesday luncheon, has been created with $1 million in corporate and foundation gifts. The fund will allow area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to provide computer access or teach residents about using computers and the Internet.





Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

  • The challenge: Recent data show that 25 percent of Kansas Citians don;t have broadband at home, and 17 percent don't use the Internet at all. When asked why they aren't online, non-users cite two main reasons: lack of relevance and lack of access.
  • The opportunity: The Digital Inclusion Fund will support local projects that provide computer access; make it easy to get online; help make the Internet relevant, exciting, and beneficial for new users; and increase people's digital skills.




Eligible projects will target one or more of the following focus areas:
  • people who don't use the Internet but are interested in learning how to get online and need help 
  • people who don't use the Internet and who lack a computer or perceive high costs to Internet access
  • areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
  • seniors who don't use the Internet, with emphasis on access to health information
  • school children in homes without Internet access 
Eligible expenses and activities to be supported may include, but are not limited to:
  • Program costs including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program / project
  • Training and support for volunteers who assist in program / project implementation
  • Hardware, software and Internet connectivity to be used to provide digital skills training for target population members (e.g. devices + portable hotspots for mobile computer labs)*

Contact person: 
Matthew Fuller, fuller@gkccf.org or 816.627.3420


Re: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

I'm on vacation, but the fun never stops in KC! Thanks for sending this Lazone. I've been in KC long enough to know that Mike Green has a spot on assessment of the situation. It also is apparent that the most innovative non profit in the area - Connecting For Good - will be quite limited in what they can do with the funds, but would be able to pay staff and support volunteers that do the digital literacy part of their program. The one opportunity I see in this grant is that one of the eligible activities is 
areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
That provides an opportunity for actually supporting business development that includes tech infusion and job hunting could mean finding a client base for those new businesses. But I am quite doubtful that the granting fund envisions or would entertain something that strays away from the highly privileged viewpoint from which this grant notice is written. I am really tired of the "lets help poor people and then we're done" mentality - as if the digital divide is simply dumb poor people who have never used a computer. The fastest growing penetration of smart phones is in black and latino urban communities. The lines for computers at urban branch libraries is crushing. Urban students do their homework, research, and write papers on their smart phones. Cloud based computing enables great mobility and portability of your work regardless of what device you use. Today digital literacy is about being able to take advantage of the phenomenal growth in online apps and programs that are available and useful in developing and operating a business, building a product and market, and collaboration. Most successful entrepreneurs are those that are working in a collaborative environment where others are working on similar projects. I continue to believe that such space is lacking in urban communities where poverty and joblessness are high yet where there are entrepreneurs are in place. Digital skills start at basic access, but the real impact is in going well beyond that and building economic opportunity.  I'll be back in KC in time to attend the first session and I have my reservation. I have been working with another nonprofit in the midtown area that has interest in the collaborative space idea. If anyone else is interested in that approach - please feel free to contact me directly - Robyne Stevenson robyne@viablethird.com. I own a business, not a nonprofit, so I am not eligible to be the grantee. However, I am open and willing to partner with nonprofits. 

Thanks, Lazone for putting together this email list as a forum of interested people. 

Robyne

Robyne Stevenson
816-217-8532
find me on LinkedInScribdFacebook, Twitter


On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 7:02 PM, Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org> wrote:
FYI

#####

Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund, unveiled at a Wednesday luncheon, has been created with $1 million in corporate and foundation gifts. The fund will allow area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to provide computer access or teach residents about using computers and the Internet.





Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

  • The challenge: Recent data show that 25 percent of Kansas Citians don;t have broadband at home, and 17 percent don't use the Internet at all. When asked why they aren't online, non-users cite two main reasons: lack of relevance and lack of access.
  • The opportunity: The Digital Inclusion Fund will support local projects that provide computer access; make it easy to get online; help make the Internet relevant, exciting, and beneficial for new users; and increase people's digital skills.




Eligible projects will target one or more of the following focus areas:

  • people who don't use the Internet but are interested in learning how to get online and need help 
  • people who don't use the Internet and who lack a computer or perceive high costs to Internet access
  • areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
  • seniors who don't use the Internet, with emphasis on access to health information
  • school children in homes without Internet access 

Eligible expenses and activities to be supported may include, but are not limited to:

  • Program costs including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program / project
  • Training and support for volunteers who assist in program / project implementation
  • Hardware, software and Internet connectivity to be used to provide digital skills training for target population members (e.g. devices + portable hotspots for mobile computer labs)*

Contact person: 

Matthew Fuller, fuller@gkccf.org or 816.627.3420



Re: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

I applaud this effort, but given this statement below, I feel like I'm missing something:

"The Kansas City region has emerged is a global leader in the new digital economy. But far too many residents are excluded from the economic, education, health, social and cultural benefits of the digital age because they haven't adopted or don't use the Internet at home. With a strong history of entrepreneurialism, vibrant community spirit, and development of a (first-of-its-kind high speed fiber network), Kansas City is uniquely positioned to undertake high impact digital inclusion initiatives to close the region's digital divide."

I noted the boastful statement that KC is emerging as a "global leader" in the digital economy, while many residents remain excluded from economic benefits despite a "strong history of entrepreneurialism" in the region. The emphasis in the writeup is on entrepreneurship and technology. Yet the Digital Inclusion Fund is focused at the lowest level of introducing the most disconnected residents to the most basic uses of digital technology. That has nothing to do with closing the divide in the startup culture and Kansas City's local innovation economy.

I need help understanding why this puny investment in the weakest sector of the region is being touted as an opportunity to include residents in the "economic, education, health, social and cultural benefits of the digital age." The disconnect for me is the correct emphasis on entrepreneurship for the majority population, while the funding for minorities is targeting non-entrepreneurial efforts. What are the measures of success of this initiative? What are the expected outcomes? How will this buttress the economic competitiveness of the region, stimulate greater participation of disconnected residents in the local innovation ecosystem and produce a pipeline of digital-savvy innovators and job creators from minority sectors that historically have been disconnected from capital resources and job growth? 

Clarification; I'm not discouraging the focus on introducing digitally disconnected folks to the digital age, even a step at a time. I'm saying this announcement ought not confound the issues. 

Kansas City, however it perceives itself, still suffers from a tremendous economic disparity problem evident in the enormous gap in entrepreneurial resources, access to capital, networks and policy for its non-white entrepreneurial talent, much of which IS connected to the Internet but disconnected from progress despite living in the shadow of the largest entrepreneurship-focused foundation in the nation. 

Census data show Kansas City has a 30% Black population that owns roughly 13% of the businesses. And while no data that I can find on GDP/GRP for black-owned businesses is produced by any of the Kansas City business data researchers (including those producing the CEDS and those working for Kauffman), Census and BLS data show the national GDP contribution for ALL 1.9 million black-owned businesses in America is LESS than 1% of GDP. My guess is that's true also in Kansas City, as it is in Jackson, MS, Cleveland, OH and many other MSA regions across the nation.

The Kansas City region is suffering from economic apartheid. The statement by the foundation to "increase people's digital skills" through its "Digital Inclusion Fund" gives me pause to wonder if leadership in Kansas City, including those who produce the region's CEDS as well as those at the esteemed Kauffman Foundation, are interested in developing a framework of Inclusive Competitiveness that bolsters the region's overall economic competitiveness through high-growth entrepreneurship that becomes a catalyst for development of a pipeline of entrepreneurial productivity and prosperity for economically disconnected sectors.

Again, I believe it is laudable to seek to provide digitally disconnected folks access to digital technology and an opportunity to "help make the Internet relevant, exciting and beneficial for new users." So, please don't misinterpret my response. I'm confused about the limited spectrum of the effort and its focus. 

Perhaps it may not be the focus of this particular Digital Inclusion Fund to address the overarching entrepreneurial divide that leaves struggling minority startups, existing business owners, and even ready-to-scale enterprises, wasting away on an "island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity," as Dr. King reminded us 50 years ago in 1963. But I'm confused by the opening statement of this Digital Inclusion Fund, which clearly states that Kansas City is emerging as a global leader in the digital technology era. And that's due to a focus on technology and entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, KC is leaving behind a significant swath of its minority entrepreneurial talent that is ready for needed resources and funding. 

The disconnect for me is, this effort acknowledges the significance of entrepreneurship in developing the KC region into a digital tech leader while simultaneously focusing its Digital Inclusion Fund solely upon non-entrepreneurial sectors. Is there room to also develop a fund focused on developing the landscape of minority entrepreneurial activity into high-growth enterprises through digital technology and other needed resources? How's the minority mobile tech sector in KC? The mobile app industry has gone from zero to multiple billions of dollars in the past decade. Yet another example of a brand new industry in which Black and Latino Americans are statistically nil in representation and productivity. Can Kansas City be the first U.S. tech hub that's inclusive?

Again, please forgive me if I wonder why Kansas City is emphasizing a meager investment in exposing its most disconnected residents to basic digital technology while overlooking its ready residents who are struggling to leverage their innovative talents in a 21st century knowledge-based, tech-driven globally competitive landscape in which Kansas City proclaims to be a leader. I know I risk being the target of slings and arrows from the status quo choir by bringing up these issues. But that's the risk every messenger takes when they tell the emperor he has no clothes. Of course, the hope of every messenger is the message will take root and people will take heed and change will come.

I'm hopeful Kansas City will respond with an eagerness to be a leader in Inclusive Competitiveness as well as digital technology.

Thanks for including me in the discussion. I'm open to learning what I may not know about the region's efforts to develop a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.

mike

Founder, SABB Campaign
Co-founder, America21
Member: Clinton Global Initiative (CGI America) High-Growth Entrepreneurship Working Group (June 2013)


From: Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org>
To: W. Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org>
Cc: visionkc@aol.com; cprice27 <cprice27@aol.com>; Robyne Stevenson <robynestevenson@gmail.com>; Brennan Crawford <bcrawford@kckcc.edu>; Thomas M. Scott <tscott@kckha.org>; Tarence Maddox <tmaddox801@yahoo.com>; LaVita Gassoway <lavitaw34@gmail.com>; Beverly J Darby <bettyjdarby1@yahoo.com>; Pamela McKnight Cyrus K. <pdmck23@hotmail.com>; "Edwards, Mildred [GO]" <Mildred.Edwards@ks.gov>; april.dohle@hotmail.com; Richard Mabion <rmabion@sbcglobal.net>; senhaley@aol.com; rollins@ucmo.edu; Doris Williams <dwill918@sbcglobal.net>; "cwiliet@aol.com" <cwilieT@aol.com>; Matthew Gassen <matt@winstonmeriwether.com>; IBSA Grants Blog <lazone.grants@blogger.com>; Trent Howerton <trenth@workforcepartnership.com>; Scott Anglemyer <scotta@workforcepartnership.com>; Christal Watson <cwatson.kbcc@gmail.com>; christalwatson@kbccinc.com; Mike Green <amikegreen2@yahoo.com>; terrance gunn <tgunn421@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 7:02 PM
Subject: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

FYI

#####

Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund, unveiled at a Wednesday luncheon, has been created with $1 million in corporate and foundation gifts. The fund will allow area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to provide computer access or teach residents about using computers and the Internet.





Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

  • The challenge: Recent data show that 25 percent of Kansas Citians don;t have broadband at home, and 17 percent don't use the Internet at all. When asked why they aren't online, non-users cite two main reasons: lack of relevance and lack of access.
  • The opportunity: The Digital Inclusion Fund will support local projects that provide computer access; make it easy to get online; help make the Internet relevant, exciting, and beneficial for new users; and increase people's digital skills.




Eligible projects will target one or more of the following focus areas:
  • people who don't use the Internet but are interested in learning how to get online and need help 
  • people who don't use the Internet and who lack a computer or perceive high costs to Internet access
  • areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
  • seniors who don't use the Internet, with emphasis on access to health information
  • school children in homes without Internet access 
Eligible expenses and activities to be supported may include, but are not limited to:
  • Program costs including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program / project
  • Training and support for volunteers who assist in program / project implementation
  • Hardware, software and Internet connectivity to be used to provide digital skills training for target population members (e.g. devices + portable hotspots for mobile computer labs)*

Contact person: 
Matthew Fuller, fuller@gkccf.org or 816.627.3420



Re: Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund - August 2013

I am interested in helping!  Please tell me what I can do; where my professional skills are needed; who shoould I contact.

LaVita Gassoway

VITA BUSINESS & TECHNICAL, LLC
LaVita Gassoway, Owner
P O Box 172433
Kansas City, Kansas 66117


[Confidentiality notice:]
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This e-mail message, including attachments, if any, is intended for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential or privileged information.  Any unauthorized review, use, or disclosure is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy the original message, including all copies, Thank you.
***********************************************************************



VITA BUSINESS & TECHNICAL, LLC
P O BOX 172433
Kansas City, KS 66117
USA

[Confidentiality notice:]
***********************************************************************
This e-mail message, including attachments, if any, is intended for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential or privileged information.  Any unauthorized review, use, or disclosure is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy the original message, including all copies, Thank you.
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On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 9:02 PM, Lazone Grays <lazoneg@ibsa-inc.org> wrote:
FYI

#####

Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund, unveiled at a Wednesday luncheon, has been created with $1 million in corporate and foundation gifts. The fund will allow area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to provide computer access or teach residents about using computers and the Internet.





Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

  • The challenge: Recent data show that 25 percent of Kansas Citians don;t have broadband at home, and 17 percent don't use the Internet at all. When asked why they aren't online, non-users cite two main reasons: lack of relevance and lack of access.
  • The opportunity: The Digital Inclusion Fund will support local projects that provide computer access; make it easy to get online; help make the Internet relevant, exciting, and beneficial for new users; and increase people's digital skills.




Eligible projects will target one or more of the following focus areas:

  • people who don't use the Internet but are interested in learning how to get online and need help 
  • people who don't use the Internet and who lack a computer or perceive high costs to Internet access
  • areas with high unemployment, with emphasis on Internet-related career skills and job hunting
  • seniors who don't use the Internet, with emphasis on access to health information
  • school children in homes without Internet access 

Eligible expenses and activities to be supported may include, but are not limited to:

  • Program costs including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program / project
  • Training and support for volunteers who assist in program / project implementation
  • Hardware, software and Internet connectivity to be used to provide digital skills training for target population members (e.g. devices + portable hotspots for mobile computer labs)*

Contact person: 

Matthew Fuller, fuller@gkccf.org or 816.627.3420



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