$330,000 granted to digital inclusion organizations via Alliant’s Quarter Million Dollar Challenge

07/21/2022 • Alliant News • Press Releases

The Alliant Credit Union Foundation awards 22 digital inclusion organizations across the country with $329,750, nearly $80,000 more than initially pledged for digital equity initiatives through a grant challenge launched earlier this year.

Alliant Credit Union, a national digital financial institution with a social mission to bridge the digital divide and create equitable digital access for all, today announced the recipients of Alliant Credit Union Foundation’s “Quarter Million-Dollar Challenge.”

The call for grant requests, announced in February 2022, attracted an overwhelming response from digital inclusion practitioners nationwide. The Alliant Credit Union Foundation received and reviewed 85 applications, totaling more than $4.5 million in grant requests.

Alliant awarded a total of $329,750 – nearly $80,000 more than initially pledged – to the following 22 grant recipients: Bidwell, C.B. Community Schools, Community Tech Network, Comp-U-Dopt, Computer CORE, Computers for the Blind, Computer Reach, Dress for Success Twin Cities, EveryoneOn, Free Geek, J&J Services, KC Digital Drive, Lutheran Settlement House, Mission: Ignite powered by Computers For Children, Inc., NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network), Northside Intercommunity Agency, PCs for People, Peer 2 Peer University, Sisterhouse, Tech Goes Home, The STEM Alliance, The Taylor Made Foundation, and Westhab Inc..

“We truly believe that it is through grassroots efforts of digital inclusion organizations that meaningful change is created,” said Alliant Social Impact Strategist Claire Hegstrom. “It’s our hope that this support will help further the work that connects our communities in tangible ways.”

Organizations will use the funding in various ways and have agreed to share updates on the impact that the Quarter Million Dollar Challenge has made on their communities. Approved grants align with the Alliant Foundation mission, “To provide reliable broadband, digital literacy resources and technology equipment for underserved communities including rural, digitally-challenged and under-resourced populations through investments with strategic, charitable partners.”

The Quarter Million Dollar Challenge builds on the digital financial institution’s recent digital equity work. Alliant hosts digital device drives at their Chicago headquarters, engages elected officials through their annual Alliant Day of Action, spreads awareness through a corporate pledge partnership, and partners with digital inclusion organizations across the country.

More information on Alliant grant opportunities can be found on their digital inclusion page. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year and eligible 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to apply.