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The Fund for Digital Equity

We work with communities to build the internet infrastructure and skills they need to participate fully in a digital society
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3 billion people lack access to the internet.

They are falling further behind as society digitalizes around them.

  • Generous estimates say almost 3 billion people have no internet access. Billions more lack affordable, fast, reliable internet.
  • Traditional telecom operators have not and will not solve this problem. Current government efforts, though welcome, will not get the job done.
  • A growing ecosystem of community networks, municipal providers, and social enterprises are connecting the unconnected — but they lack the kinds of capital they need.
  • By investing in these community connectivity providers (CCPs) we support underserved communities to build and operate their own digital infrastructure — the first step toward achieving digital equity.

The costs of digital inequity are real:

  • 1 in 3 kids, unable to connect during the pandemic, are losing a year or more of education.
  • Poverty is surging as people are unable to pivot to remote work or find jobs online.
  • It’s increasingly difficult to register to vote or participate in democracy without internet access.
  • Communities of color are disproportionately underconnected due to persistent digital redlining.
  • Billions unable to book a vaccine appointment or access government services.

How we work

Operators like community networks, municipal providers, and social enterprises are connecting communities that traditional ISPs have failed to serve. These community connectivity providers (CCPs) are building fast, reliable networks, bringing down the cost to connect, and investing in digital skills. But too often they lack access to the capacity and capital they need to grow. We meet communities where they are, providing a range of financial tools and other support to help CCPs achieve digital equity | Find out more

Alongside our partners, we employ a holistic approach to achieving digital equity:


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Digitalization is happening.

Digital equity depends on all of us.

Learn more about our approach:

Our work

Learn more about the support we provide:

Our funds

Or contact us