Best Technology Grants in Massachusetts

Small 501(c)(3) organizations offering technology access, digital literacy, or related community programs in Massachusetts and the broader Northeast can apply for up to US $2,500 to support their work. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation considers local nonprofits with under $1M in assets, including those running youth, education, rehabilitation, arts, food, or emotional support initiatives.

Massachusetts public school districts that previously received FY26 CS Engage funding can use this continuation grant to expand K–12 digital literacy and computer science programs, including PD, planning time, and classroom devices. With a mission to strengthen DLCS education, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides support to build rigorous, sustainable programs serving underserved students.

Technology service providers in Massachusetts offering Level 1 IT help desk and basic Microsoft 365 user support can apply to deliver technical support services for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Focused on clean energy innovation, MassCEC invites qualified vendors whose work may strengthen technology access and digital operations for the agency.

Researchers and practitioners worldwide who examine how digital and emerging technologies affect power and social justice, and can reside in the U.S., can apply for the Social Science Research Council’s Just Tech Fellowship; awards approximately US $200,000 for two-year, full-time work. Individuals in Massachusetts advancing technology access and digital equity may be strong candidates.

Nonprofit organizations delivering cybersecurity or AI workforce development programs, including those serving Massachusetts, can seek funding to expand technology-enabled education and job placement for underrepresented learners. With a mission to power human progress, Kyndryl Charitable Foundation provides support to data-informed, community-led organizations in the U.S., Japan, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and India.

Local churches in the Kentucky Conference can receive up to US $500 for stewardship, technology, or leadership development projects, including AV upgrades for worship and discipleship. Grants from The Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church help congregations, including those serving Massachusetts communities online, strengthen ministry through better tech and trained leaders.

U.S.-based nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, and select charitable LLC initiatives advancing disability rights, justice, and technology can apply for US $25,000 - US $70,000 to support movement-building work, including in Massachusetts. Borealis Philanthropy’s Disability Inclusion Fund backs disabled-led efforts in tech policy, design, digital infrastructure, and leadership development that center equity and inclusion.

Students in technology, science, engineering, mathematics, or medicine can receive scholarship support from Hawai'i Community Foundation through the Otto & Aegun Hensens Educational Fund. This fund serves Hawaii residents who graduated from a Hawaii high school and study at accredited U.S. colleges; Massachusetts institutions may qualify if other eligibility criteria are met.

Elementary school PTAs and PTSAs in Massachusetts that are in good standing and interested in digital safety and well-being programs can apply for National Congress of Parents & Teachers’ PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! grants, awarding US $1,500. Funding supports in-person family programs that help caregivers address screen readiness and responsible device use.

Massachusetts state-level PTAs seeking to build organizational capacity, strengthen leadership, or grow membership and mission-related work can access funding through National Congress of Parents & Teachers. Grants of up to US $10,000 support state PTA executive committees or officers, including those focused on technology access and digital literacy, during FY2025-2026.

501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education, digital literacy, technology, and workforce skills development, including those in Massachusetts, may be eligible for support to strengthen tech education and professional readiness. With a mission to inspire excellence, C Spire Wireless Foundation provides grants primarily for STEM projects that build a stronger workforce and expand reliable broadband access.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education, digital literacy, and workforce skills can apply for sponsorship support from the C Spire Wireless Foundation, including programs serving Massachusetts. With a mission to strengthen tech education and broadband access, the foundation provides grants and event sponsorships, giving preference to organizations based in its service region.

Undergraduate students in NOAA-related STEM and social science fields at accredited U.S. colleges, including those from Massachusetts, can apply for the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, which offers up to US $40,000 plus a paid NOAA internship. Focused on oceanic and atmospheric sciences, it supports training, research experience, and environmental education careers.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in Massachusetts can access funding from Affirm Cares for technology education, digital literacy, and related community programs. Affirm Cares provides U.S.-based grants supporting technology access and training, financial literacy, housing insecurity, homelessness, civic engagement, community development, and small business development initiatives.

Massachusetts technology and broadband providers serving eligible rural areas can access funding through USDA Rural Development’s Community Connect Grants to build and operate high-speed internet infrastructure. Awards of US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 support community-oriented connectivity, free access for critical community facilities and centers, and projects advancing digital equity, economic development, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations collaborating on digital equity projects in Massachusetts can apply for grants of US $25,000 - US $50,000 to serve communities in Essex County. Grants from Essex County Community Foundation help partners expand device access, internet connectivity, digital literacy, and cross-organization collaboration through integrated, systems-based initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running Christian technology, media, or digital outreach projects, including those in Massachusetts, can seek project-specific support to advance evangelism, leadership, and holistic ministries. The Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation funds ministries worldwide, with priorities in South Florida, national initiatives, and emerging nations; applications are accepted year-round.

OpenAI provides Massachusetts technology access and digital literacy nonprofits with unrestricted funding to explore people-first uses of AI. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities with small to mid-sized budgets, including eligible community foundations and regranting organizations, may benefit if they use AI to improve community services, arts and culture access, or local journalism and information ecosystems.

Nonprofit and community organizations working on science, education, creativity, or technology access can seek support for programs and events through Promega Corporation’s corporate giving, including those serving Massachusetts. Promega provides funding to U.S. and Canadian groups for scientific advancement, educational enrichment, arts and cultural initiatives, and experimental community-focused projects.

Massachusetts nonprofits and for-profit organizations focused on technology access, digital literacy, and the future worker can seek funding to expand their impact. Grants from Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation help U.S.-based groups serving youth, on-demand workers, and small businesses with US $100,000 plus HP technology, solutions, and a six-month virtual capacity-building program.

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.

The Native Entities Grant Program, initiated by NTIA under the Digital Equity Act of 2021, aims to support Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations. This program streamlines funding through a unified application for two significant initiatives: the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant. By focusing on reducing administrative burdens, it enhances access to digital resources and equity in underserved communities.