PHILADELPHIA – The Digital Literacy Alliance today received a two-year, $500,000 grant from Independence Public Media of Philadelphia, Inc.(IPM), a new private foundation. The majority of these funds will enable the Alliance to provide grants to immigrant-serving organizations for targeted digital literacy training, while the remainder of IPM’s support aims to deepen the Alliance’s work with its partner organizations and projects through a learning and support network.
The Digital Literacy Alliance is a cross-institutional coalition of stakeholders dedicated to identifying and funding innovation in digital literacy. The coalition develops strategy, manages seed funding, oversees funded programs, and seeks additional funding with the assistance of relevant stakeholders and coalition members.
“We’re really excited and grateful that IPM has recognized the Alliance as an effective representative for Philadelphia’s digital literacy community. The organizations that we fund push digital literacy beyond its traditional definition and bring innovation to the work,” says Andrew Buss, Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Office of Innovation & Technology.
Independence Public Media of Philadelphia (IPM) is a new private foundation whose goals reflect an expansive definition of media — including journalism, digital literacy, and creative expression — as a pathway for building power with communities. The grant to the Digital Literacy Alliance was among its first round of grants totaling $5.3 million to eleven organizations.
According to IPM Foundation President Molly de Aguiar, “IPM believes that great potential for change lies with our local, community-based organizations, and we think that the Digital Literacy Alliance offers an effective means of reaching many of those organizations. We look forward to seeing that locally-inspired creativity among Philadelphia’s digital literacy community.”
The funds that IPM and the Alliance have designated for immigrant-focused digital literacy ($300,000) will support a grant cycle at the end of 2019 and seek proposals that creatively connect digital literacy with immigrant organizations, services, and communities.
“This grant from IPM will help deliver much-needed resources to Philadelphia’s immigrant communities,” said Miriam Enriquez, Director of the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “Digital literacy and access are critical for any Philadelphian, and we know it is particularly important for immigrants as they attempt to set down roots in a city. From job applications and legal documents, to helping children with homework, many everyday functions require the understanding and use of digital tools. I am grateful to IPM for this grant, and look forward to working with the Digital Literacy Alliance to get funding out to our immigrant-serving community partners later this year.”
The remainder of the funds ($200,000) are to establish a stronger partnership network among the organizations funded by the Alliance. The DLA seeks to build the capacity of its grantees by offering learning sessions, engagement opportunities, trainings, and best practices support to them, and this funding will provide the infrastructure necessary to implement and deliver those types of support and activities.