Connect for Success: Student Access Donation Program
Mobile Beacon
Deadline: Rolling
Grant amount: Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Fields of work: Technology Access & Digital Literacy
Applicant type: College / University, Elementary / Secondary School
Funding uses: Education / Outreach, Project / Program, Capital Project
Location of project: Mobile County, Alabama, Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, Counties in Arizona: Maricopa County, Mohave County, Counties in Arkansas: Garland County Show all
Location of residency: Mobile County, Alabama, Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, Counties in Arizona: Maricopa County, Mohave County, Counties in Arkansas: Garland County Show all
Overview:
Providing Home Connectivity to Close the Homework Gap
The digital revolution came with the promise of “anytime, anywhere” learning opportunities in education. Yet, despite nearly $4 billion spent yearly to improve internet access within schools, there is a growing deficit addressing out-of-school connectivity to the 5 million households with students that do have internet access at home. The resulting “homework gap” means students struggle to keep up with their assignments, miss family time, wait in long lines for computers at their local library, and sit outside in school parking lots late at night to access free Wi-Fi.
Despite these students’ resiliency, they continue to struggle to complete assignments and ultimately develop lower levels of digital skills. The homework gap is not the only equity issue students and even teachers face today. These inequities harm our shared economic future, which is why Mobile Beacon’s Connect for Success donation program was created to expand access to technology for schools. Schools can use the grant to build a mobile learning lab, aid in professional development for teachers, create a hotspot lending program to close the homework gap in your school community, and more! The flexibility and mobility of the hotspots and laptops allow your school to develop creative ways to empower your school community through technology. Mobile Beacon wants to provide you with the tools your students need to succeed!
Who it Helps:
Students and school communities with digital inequities.
How it Helps:
Our Connect for Success donation program provides schools with up to 25 laptops and 4G LTE devices with free mobile LTE high-speed Internet service for 12 months. Schools can provide students without internet access at home with the tools, connectivity, and hardware they need to complete homework assignments, access educational resources at home and keep up with their peers.
After the free internet service period ends, schools may apply for ongoing, unlimited LTE internet service at the available significantly discounted rate (currently – $10/month paid annually in advance).
At Mobile Beacon, we want to provide a path for educators to help close the homework gap, so every student has equal access to educational resources and learning opportunities. We believe you play an essential role in making your schools and learning institutions more digitally-inclusive, and we want to empower you with the resources you need to make that happen. Connect for Success will give you the tools you need to harness the power of the internet and get it into the hands of those students who need it the most.
You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.
Eligibility:
- Mobile Beacon’s Connect for Success donation program is available in 50 cities across the US.
- Grant applicants must be a school, college, or university in an eligible city and fall within Sprint's 4G LTE service area.
- Because there are a limited number of grants available, Mobile Beacon wants to ensure the broadband service and associated equipment will be used by schools to fulfill an immediate need.
- Therefore, your school must use this service for 20 or more hours per week while school is in session.
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