Connect Humanity aims to support low-income communities and communities of color in creating Digital Equity Connectivity Plans. Their mission is centered around helping these communities design broadband plans to access funding and resources for digital equity, leading to economic development, social mobility, and healthier communities.
Digital Equity Planning Grants, offered by Connect Humanity, are designed to support communities in establishing a comprehensive plan to achieve digital equity. The program is aligned with the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), specifically the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Act (DEA), providing over $45 billion in support for unserved and underserved communities to fully participate in the digital world. The grants focus on communities that lack the resources and technical knowledge to design effective broadband plans. They offer funding and expertise to develop holistic Digital Equity Connectivity Plans, identifying digital needs and establishing robust plans to meet those needs. This approach includes assessing digital needs, creating network designs, and building sustainable business plans. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $120,000, depending on the community's needs.