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Bridging the digital divide: Knight awards $3 million grant to Connect2Compete

by: Amy Gahran |

This week the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced a $3 million grant to Connect2Compete, a national public-private partnership focused on bridging the digital divide.

Combined with previous funding, this Knight grant takes Connect2Compete more than a third of the way toward its initial three-year goal to raise $20 million to provide low-cost internet access, digital literacy training and refurbished computers to low-income U.S. families.

Coming soon from C2C will be a national pilot program involving 1,000 U.S. communities in 22 states. This program will offer low-cost broadband Internet and reduced-cost laptops to qualifying families, as well as digital literacy learning opportunities.

Under a small prototype of this program earlier this year, more than 1,400 San Diego families took advantage of C2C's low-cost broadband access and computer offerings.

The News and Tools for for Digital Innovators blog is made possible by a grant to USC Annenberg from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

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Amy Gahran

Amy Gahran is a journalist, editor, trainer, entrepreneur, strategist, and media consultant based in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to writing
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May 19 deadline for "Ideation" phase of Civil Data Challenge

Sun, May 19, 2013 12:00 am - Sun, May 19, 2013 12:59 pm

The first phase of the Civic Data Challenge is now open! The “Ideation” phase is the time to identify community needs that can be addressed through the use of civic data, to brainstorm, and to share your ideas. The Ideation phase will inform the categories of participation in the next phase of the Challenge. To participate in the Ideation phase, join the Challenge and submit your idea (links for “join” and “idea”). The deadline to submit an idea is11:59 p.m. Eastern, May 19th, 2013

Apply by May 31 for an MJ Bear Fellowship

Fri, May 31, 2013 12:00 am - Fri, May 31, 2013 11:59 pm

The MJ Bear Fellowships identify and celebrate young digital journalists, working independently or for a company or organization, who have demonstrated — through professional experimentation, research or other projects — that they deserve support for their efforts and/or vision.

National Day of Civic Hacking, June 1-2

Sat, June 1, 2013 12:00 am - Sun, June 2, 2013 12:00 am

The National Day of Civic Hacking, June 1-2, aims to bring together citizens, software developers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in local events held around the country. The goal: to collaboratively create, build and invent using publicly-released data, code and technology to solve challenges relevant to our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our country.

14th Annual Making Media Connections Conference, June 4

Tue, June 4, 2013 9:00 am - Tue, June 4, 2013 7:00 pm

The Making Media Connections Conference, sponsored by the Community Media Workshop brings together nonprofit communicators, journalists, web advocates, PR professionals, community leaders and more.

Allied Media Conference, June 20-23

Thu, June 20, 2013 12:00 am - Sun, June 23, 2013 12:00 am

Registration is now open for the 15th annual Allied Media Conference, June 20-23, 2013.

LION Publishers to hold conference October 3-6

October 3, 2013 - October 6, 2013

The Local Independent Online News Publishers will hold its conference in Chicago October 3-6. Organizers are seeking your input on programming and sessions. To take a survey, click here

Online News Association Conference, October 17-19; Registration opens April 29

October 17, 2013 - October 19, 2013

It’s time to plan your trip to the 2013 Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, 2013 in Atlanta, where we’re planning to blow up the traditional conference agenda for digital journalism’s biggest reunion.It’s time to plan your trip to the 2013 Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, 2013 in Atlanta, where we’re planning to blow up the traditional conference agenda for digital journalism’s biggest reunion.

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