Best Technology Grants in Michigan

Council of Michigan Foundations provides Michigan community foundation members with technology-focused support, offering up to US $5,000 for software training, team technology projects, transition-related tech costs, cybersecurity audits, and equipment purchases. Eligible CMF member foundations, particularly those with smaller asset sizes, may use these grants to strengthen technology access and digital capacity.

Cities and municipalities in Michigan and other eligible Great Lakes states with populations near or above 6,000 residents can apply for National League of Cities’ free Federal Grant Navigation Program to pursue technology and digital access funding. This support helps local government staff compete for ARPA and IIJA grants for broadband, modernization, and related needs.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) status serving Michigan communities can seek program-specific support for technology access and digital inclusion efforts through Huntington National Bank’s Impact Investment Philanthropy Grant Program. Focus areas include community services, economic and community development, affordable housing, and initiatives advancing racial and social equity for low- and moderate-income populations.

Michigan incorporated organizations, tribes, governments, cooperatives, and other legal entities can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Community Connect Grants, awarding US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 to build broadband infrastructure in eligible rural areas. Technology access and digital literacy projects that expand high-speed internet and support community centers, critical facilities, and local economic recovery may be competitive.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored projects can receive funding for technology education, digital literacy, and related community programs, including those serving Michigan. Affirm Cares provides support for initiatives in technology access and training, financial literacy, housing insecurity, homelessness, civic engagement, and broader community development within its three pillar areas.

Undergraduate students in NOAA-related STEM and social science fields at accredited U.S. colleges and universities, including those from Michigan, can apply for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. Focused on oceanic, atmospheric, environmental, and technology disciplines, NOAA invites eligible students to pursue up to US $40,000 in academic support plus a paid summer internship.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education, digital literacy, technology skills, and workforce development can seek sponsorship support, including for events, from the C Spire Wireless Foundation. With a mission to strengthen tech education and broadband access, this funder provides opportunities that may benefit Michigan technology and digital literacy programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education and digital literacy can seek funding for technology, professional skills, and workforce development projects, including those serving Michigan. With a mission to inspire excellence, C Spire Wireless Foundation provides grants primarily for STEM initiatives, giving preference to groups based in its service region.

Michigan state-level PTAs seeking support for technology access, digital literacy, and broader capacity building can apply for up to US $10,000 to strengthen mission, membership, leadership, or organizational effectiveness. State PTA Executive Committee members or officers with president approval may be eligible, through funding from the National Congress of Parents & Teachers.

Elementary school PTAs and PTSAs in Michigan implementing in-person programs on digital safety, arts, or healthy lifestyles can apply for National Congress of Parents & Teachers’ PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! grants, awarding US $1,500. Funding supports parent and caregiver discussions on screen readiness, healthy device use, and broader technology access and digital literacy efforts.

Students in technology, engineering, science, mathematics, or medicine can receive scholarship support from Hawai'i Community Foundation to pursue degrees at accredited U.S. colleges and universities. Hawaii high school graduates who are Michigan residents now or studying in Michigan may be eligible if they meet residency, GPA, and financial-need requirements.

U.S.-based nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, and select charitable LLC initiatives working at the intersection of disability rights, justice, and technology can receive US $25,000 - US $70,000 for movement-building work. Borealis Philanthropy’s DIF x Tech Fund supports efforts like accessible digital infrastructure, disabled-led tech policy advocacy, and community tech skill-sharing, including groups serving Michigan.

Local churches in the Kentucky Conference seeking support for stewardship, technology, or leadership development projects can apply for grants up to US $500. Grants from The Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church help congregations upgrade AV technology, enhance digital ministry, and build tech-related capacity, which may benefit churches serving communities in Michigan and beyond.

Nonprofit organizations running technology-enabled education, cybersecurity, or AI workforce programs in Michigan and other eligible countries can apply for support to expand skills and job opportunities for underrepresented learners. With a mission to power human progress, Kyndryl Charitable Foundation provides global nonprofits with long-term, data-informed partnerships focused on future-forward education, climate action, and an inclusive economy.

Researchers and practitioners worldwide residing in Michigan or elsewhere in the U.S. can apply for the Social Science Research Council’s Just Tech Fellowship; awards approximately US $200,000 for full-time work on technology, power, and social justice. Individuals from communities historically marginalized by emerging technologies may be especially competitive.

With a mission to strengthen responsible technology, Hopelab Foundation provides Michigan youth- and intergenerationally led 501(c)(3) organizations with US $25,000 - US $100,000 for initiatives in data science, digital literacy, and combating disinformation. Eligible groups must work within the responsible technology movement, addressing issues like mental health, digital wellbeing, privacy, or the digital divide.

The Career Development Grants, offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), support women with bachelor's degrees seeking to advance or change careers, particularly in high-growth STEM fields. These grants fund post-bachelor's coursework, including master's degrees or certifications, at accredited institutions. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to their educational pursuits and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as being enrolled in accredited programs that promote women's participation in underrepresented fields.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running Christian technology, media, or digital outreach projects, including those serving Michigan, may be eligible for support to expand evangelism, leadership development, or holistic ministries. The Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation funds specific projects for ministries worldwide, with a focus on emerging nations, South Florida, and initiatives with national impact.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits and select regranting organizations using AI to enhance community services, arts and culture, or local journalism in Michigan and beyond can access funding through the OpenAI Foundation’s People-First AI Fund. Grants support community-rooted, people-first AI projects that improve technology access, digital literacy, and nonprofit capacity across the U.S.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Michigan working in science, education, technology access, digital literacy, or creative arts can seek support for programs and events through Promega Corporate Giving. Promega Corporation provides U.S. and Canadian groups with funding for science advancement, educational enrichment, and arts and cultural initiatives that foster innovation and community impact.

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms at all levels of government and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Causal Research on the Impacts of Cell Phone Policies in K-12 Schools

The Opportunity

Smartphones are nearly universal among children and adolescents in the United States: 95% of teens reported having access to a smartphone, giving them regular exposure to social media, gaming, and video streaming platforms. While smartphones can support learning and social connection, emerging evidence suggests that using phones during school may also interfere with important educational goals, including student engagement, attendance, and academic performance.

In response, more than 30 states have passed laws restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools in recent years. These policies vary widely, ranging from “bell-to-bell” policies to classroom-level bans on phones only during instructional time. Despite the rapid adoption of these policies, rigorous evidence on academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts remains limited. In the absence of strong research, federal and state policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, lack the information needed to make informed decisions that effectively support student success. Building a robust evidence base is critical for shaping policies and practices that improve learning and well-being in both the short- and long-term.

This RFP seeks to address these gaps by supporting rigorous, causal research on the academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of cell phone policies in K-12 schools in the United States. We seek studies that generate actionable insights for policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, who are deciding whether and how to implement or refine such policies. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs) that can credibly estimate causal effects. While we are open to a range of research questions, we highlight 2 areas of particular interest below.

What are the overall impacts of policies restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on student-level outcomes, including academic achievement and attainment (e.g., standardized test scores, graduation rates), behaviors (e.g., engagement, attendance, disciplinary actions), and/or mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness)?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on school-level outcomes, including school safety (e.g., reported incidents), school climate (e.g., bullying, social connections), and administrative factors (e.g., costs, logistics, communications with parents)?

• Do initial impacts persist, fade, or grow as schools refine their practices over time?

What factors explain variation in the impacts of cell phone policies?

• Which students, schools, and districts are most impacted by cell phone policies?

• Which policy design features (e.g., what devices are banned, when devices are banned, how devices are stored/locked) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• Which implementation strategies (e.g., training and supports for school staff, consistent approaches for enforcement) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• How do the resource and operational implications of different policy approaches (e.g., costs, staff time, infrastructure needs) influence their effectiveness? How do these factors affect the scalability and sustainability of effective approaches?

Beyond the Net Grant Program

The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Grant Program offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet, as well as strengthening the Chapters’ presence in the surrounding community. 

Program Objectives

• Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities. 
• Develop new and strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level.

Focus Areas

The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters to implement initiatives within one or more of the following thematic areas:

Projects that support community-centered connectivity for unconnected and under-connected populations by providing easy, sustainable solutions, and training on productive use of the Internet.

Projects that make access affordable and resilient for unconnected and under-connected populations by improving, supporting, or advocating for the development of local Internet interconnection infrastructure (e.g., IXPs).

Projects that equip recently connected people with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their communities online.

Projects that advocate for and educate policy makers, courts, decision makers, and commercial entities about threats to the Internet as an open and accessible platform for free expression and the exchange of ideas, safeguarding fundamental rights, ensuring the well-being of users, and fostering trust in digital technologies.

TechAccess: AI-Ready America is a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing AI readiness across the U.S. by fostering collaboration and resource sharing. It targets businesses, organizations, and individuals, ensuring widespread access to AI tools and knowledge. The program includes State Coordination Hubs to connect stakeholders, a National Lead for collaboration, and AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions to drive innovative solutions. This comprehensive approach seeks to prepare all sectors for an AI-driven economy, benefiting Americans through practical implementation and workforce development.

The Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010, in memory of Freeland resident and business owner Bernie Smillie. Bernie passed away in 2000, due to complications from a lung transplant he had received in 1994. In 2005, family and friends of Bernie established the Bernie Smillie Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds of this outing has helped to promote organ donor support and awareness and establish this scholarship fund.

Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship - Michigan Resident

Evaluation Criteria

• Financial need (20)
• Work experience (20)
• Overall involvement at work, school and community activities (20)
• Career goals as demonstrated in essay (20)
• Letters of recommendation

Women of Colors Scholarship

Women of Colors (WOC) was founded in 1993 by a group of women that believed it would take a cooperative effort of women of all nationalities, ages and socioeconomic status to address issues plaguing the Saginaw Community. The founders believed that women should take a more active role in addressing issues of crime, blight and poverty. WOC began by providing support, community outreach services and facilitating discussions within the community. WOC’s mission promotes multi-cultural diversity and enhances community relations in Saginaw County by performing community service, mentoring youth, and collaborating with other organizations.

The Women of Colors Scholarship will be awarded each year to a Great Empowering Motivational Sessions (GEMS) member that is an area high school senior actively involved in efforts to empower young women and in activities that address issues affecting young women in the Saginaw Community. If no GEMS members are high school seniors, applications will be accepted from non-GEMS applicants.

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) aims to enhance broadband access and adoption on Tribal lands, supporting initiatives for remote learning, telework, and telehealth. Administered by NTIA, this program provides vital funding to eligible entities under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This funding is crucial for fostering digital inclusion and improving connectivity in underserved Tribal communities.