Technology Matching Fund

Description	This would continue the Technology Matching Fund program that we successfully launched last year. The fund was also able to help leverage additional Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) support for projects. The focus this year would be on projects not eligible for the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) program and on gaps in information technology literacy and access infrastructure. These include: Enabling cross-neighborhood or citywide projects Expanding hours and availability of public open lab time Increasing resources for non-English speaking communities Encouraging existing labs to improve their volunteer recruitment and outreach to potential lab users
Vision:	Support citizen initiated projects which increase information technology literacy and access. Enable collaborative projects, innovative community technology applications.
Need:	Leveraging the matching fund resources of the community encourages ownership and ensures long-term sustainability. There is unused capacity not available to the public currently, foreign language speakers/refugee communities are only minimally being served by existing community labs, labs need to bolster volunteer and class recruitment, and there is a demand for support for citizen initiated projects.
Activities:	Re-examine the criteria from last year and modify if necessary. Redraft forms Distribute information about the Matching Fund to as many people as possible – targeting organizations that we want to encourage to participate. Determine a schedule and an amount for each round of funding. Collect and evaluate submissions. Decide on awards. Evaluate results of the awards.
Outcomes:	A number of projects are launched or supported through this program that are sustainable and have a positive impact on the community – while supporting the goals of increased technology access and literacy to traditionally under-served communities. An annual increase of at least 1000 hours (200 days of 5 hours) of free public access to community technology centers. An increase in the number of labs offering foreign language software and ESL and immigrant programs using information technology in community labs.
Project Management	The Technology Division would continue to manage the project with CTTAB members serving as project evaluators.
Resources Needed	CTTAB members willing to review the criteria and the submissions. Staff available to administer the funds (i.e. distribute information, collect submissions, answer questions from applicants, etc.).
Potential Partners	Grassroots and community focused organizations that may apply for funds. Corporations or foundations that fund health and human services projects. Seattle Jobs Initiative, New Citizens Initiative, ESL providers, City departments and community agencies serving refugees and ethnic communities.
Evaluation	A project report evaluating the project goals against its achievements. This makes it important to have measurable goals on the project application.
Timeline	There would be one funding cycles per year though there may a portion of funds may be offered at another time as a small and simple fund, as is the case currently. First request deadline may be September to enable outreach and proposal development.
Funding Proposed	$324,500 (Of this amount we would target $20,000 for outreach, $40,000 for extended hours, $20,000 for non-English speaking projects and $244,500 for other citywide projects.

Citizen Literacy and Access Fund Proposals for Technology Literacy and Access Projects 1999-2000

Citizen Literacy and Access Fund
Proposals for Technology Literacy and Access Projects 1999-2000