Since 1997, Seattle’s IT department has managed a yearly contribution to improving digital equity throughout the city. On Tuesday, the city council announced that Seattle’s Technology Matching Fund will contribute $345,000 to 15 community organizations promoting technology access and digital literacy training.
This year’s fund was supported by an additional $25,000 contribution from Verizon and will be matched by $360,000 in donations from organizations in cash or in-kind labor and resources. The 15 grantees — four more than the number awarded last year — will each receive between $12,490 to $25,000, according to the city, which sought to help communities that have been historically underserved. This year, organizations dedicated to helping Eritrean, Filipino, Somali and low-income communities were chosen, along with projects that help young women or adults looking to learn new skills.
