Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Dell Foundation Awards 2008 ‘Connected Community’ Grants To Non-Profit Organizations in Four States

The Dell Foundation today announced the awarding of “Connected Community” grants to 26 organizations in four states – Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Carolina – where significant numbers of Dell employees live and work.

These two-year $50,000 grants support innovative and collaborative initiatives that address technology access and training for youth, fundamental requirements for success in the digital economy.

The grants support a range of programs, including those that:

- Narrow the digital divide for low-income and at-risk youth by increasing community and home-based access to technology;
- Use technology and Internet-based curriculum to facilitate career and college exploration for children and youth;
- Address the lack of women in science and technology careers by engaging girls in innovative IT camps and after-school programs; and,
- Connect students and parents to helpful online resources and communities.

Background:

This year’s grants were awarded to organizations that provide effective solutions to the technology access and skills gap that exists in under-served communities worldwide.

Successful applicants provided measurable and substantive results and fostered collaboration between local organizations to strengthen the impact of its programs.

A complete list of grants is attached and also available on the foundation’s website with descriptions of the funded initiatives.

The Dell Foundation solicits competitive applications from 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations for a number of partnerships every two years. The next cycle for ‘Connected Community’ grant application submissions will be announced in 2010.

Quotes:

“It’s no secret that technology access and skill are vitally important to employment in today’s global economy,” said Lisa Huddleson, executive director of the Dell Foundation. “We are honored to lend our support to these organizations that are effectively addressing this need in Dell communities.”

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