Comcast announced that it will give more than $4.3 million in grants to 30 nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia in 2022 to support digital adoption and skill training for residents.
Each organization provides programming aimed at connecting Philadelphia residents and businesses to the Internet and developing digital skills. The grants were made possible by Project UP, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment by Comcast to advance digital equity through programmes and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.
“Our commitment to addressing inequities spans every community we serve, but nowhere is this more evident than in our hometown of Philadelphia,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.
We are proud to partner with many incredible nonprofits who are helping to connect those who are unconnected and provide the digital skills needed to take advantage of all the Internet has to offer.”
Local recipients include Coded By Kids, Hopeworks, Per Scholas, SEAMAAC, and Heights Philadelphia (the newly merged Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars), all chosen for their commitment to digital adoption and skill development. SEAMAAC, for example, will use the funds to train and employ digital navigators, who are individuals affiliated with trusted community organizations who are trained to assist people in accessing the Internet, using devices, and acquiring digital skills.
These digital navigators will also educate community members on important resources, such as the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a monthly credit of up to $30 toward the cost of their Internet and/or mobile service.
“In today’s digital world, Internet connectivity, digital training, and skills in media and technology are central to every part of life,” said Dan Bonelli, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Freedom Region. “But the unfortunate reality is that not everyone has the same starting point, particularly low-income Americans and people of color.”
Comcast will provide digital equity support to the following Philadelphia organizations in 2022:
African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE Greater Philadelphia Asian American Chamber of Commerce Benefits Data Trust Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia The Enterprise Center Entrepreneur Works Fund Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation Girls Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Center for Literacy Coded By Kids Congreso De Latinos Unidos Inc Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations Philadelphia Heights Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hopeworks Independence Business Alliance Nationalities Service Center Peoples Emergency Center Per Scholas Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations Philadelphia Equity Alliance Philadelphia Youth Network Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition (SEAMAAC) United Way of Greater Philadelphia Philadelphia Urban League Veterans Multi-Service Center Welcome Center for New Pennsylvanians William Way Community Center Each organization provides programming aimed at connecting Philadelphia residents and businesses to the Internet and developing digital skills. The grants were made possible by Project UP, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment by Comcast to advance digital equity through programmes and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.
“Our commitment to addressing inequities spans every community we serve, but nowhere is this more evident than in our hometown of Philadelphia,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.
We are proud to partner with many incredible nonprofits who are helping to connect those who are unconnected and provide the digital skills needed to take advantage of all the Internet has to offer.”
Local recipients include Coded By Kids, Hopeworks, Per Scholas, SEAMAAC, and Heights Philadelphia (the newly merged Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars), all chosen for their commitment to digital adoption and skill development. SEAMAAC, for example, will use the funds to train and employ digital navigators, who are individuals affiliated with trusted community organizations who are trained to assist people in accessing the Internet, using devices, and acquiring digital skills.
These digital navigators will also educate community members on important resources, such as the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a monthly credit of up to $30 toward the cost of their Internet and/or mobile service.
“In today’s digital world, Internet connectivity, digital training, and skills in media and technology are central to every part of life,” said Dan Bonelli, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Freedom Region. “But the unfortunate reality is that not everyone has the same starting point, particularly low-income Americans and people of color.”
Comcast will provide digital equity support to the following Philadelphia organizations in 2022:
“Comcast has been a true partner in our mission to increase tech equity in Philadelphia,” said Sylvester Mobley, Chief Executive Officer of Coded by Kids.
“Their support has not only allowed us to scale our existing tech and innovation education programs, but has also aided in driving our momentum in building 1Philadelphia – a citywide ecosystem that helps underrepresented Philadelphians access opportunities in tech.”
Our trusted local partners are critical in raising awareness of available resources and providing the necessary support to help level the playing field in Philadelphia.
Comcast has opened over 1,250 Lift Zones in community centers across the country, including 77 in Philadelphia, to provide students and families with free, high-speed WiFi. Comcast has also awarded $2 million in grants - $10,000 each - to 200 small businesses in Philadelphia and Chester, PA, and nearly 500 Philadelphia small businesses with service packages in the form of technology makeovers and/or marketing resources, through Comcast RISE, a multi-faceted national programme launched in 2020 to support small businesses owned by women and people of colour hard hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Their support has not only allowed us to scale our existing tech and innovation education programs, but has also aided in driving our momentum in building 1Philadelphia – a citywide ecosystem that helps underrepresented Philadelphians access opportunities in tech.”
Our trusted local partners are critical in raising awareness of available resources and providing the necessary support to help level the playing field in Philadelphia.
Comcast has opened over 1,250 Lift Zones in community centers across the country, including 77 in Philadelphia, to provide students and families with free, high-speed WiFi. Comcast has also awarded $2 million in grants - $10,000 each - to 200 small businesses in Philadelphia and Chester, PA, and nearly 500 Philadelphia small businesses with service packages in the form of technology makeovers and/or marketing resources, through Comcast RISE, a multi-faceted national programme launched in 2020 to support small businesses owned by women and people of colour hard hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.