Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund
Examples of Possible Projects

These examples are intended to illustrate possible fund opportunities - and to encourage creative new ideas.

Projects need to address one or more of the goals listed below . As you can see from the examples, a comprehensive project may achieve more than one of the goals. Collaborations are encouraged. Remember, the funds can't be used to replace funds for a facility or service already being provided.

The Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund will make awards to projects that:

• Increase technology literacy (e.g., teach computer skills or effective Internet use)
• Provide residents with access to computers, the Internet and other information technology
• Increase resident use of technology for civic engagement and democratic participation. More information on civic engagement projects.

The City gives weight to projects that will involve technology underserved communities and effectively address community needs.

Increase Technology Literacy

• Organize a neighborhood technology fair
• Develop foreign language materials and a training program on "How to get connected to the Internet."
• Train a group of volunteer computer trainers - who will train others.
• Build a neighborhood connectivity campaign (helping residents get technical advice, training, computers and get online).
• Collaborate with an existing computer lab, an Internet service provider and a community agency to provide basic computer skills training to immigrants. Provide graduates with computers and/or Internet accounts.
• Conduct outreach and a develop a program to increase use by the Vietnamese or another specific community at an existing computer lab.
• Develop an intergenerational learning partners project for seniors and youth that includes web authoring or other media training and results in a jointly created product to share with the community.
• Provide workshop series with the neighborhood chamber of commerce on topics such as computer skills for small businesses and Internet business opportunities.
• Organize a speaker forum series on regulating access to information (privacy, free speech, universal service).
• Train youth in network management and computer repair. In return the youth provide services (and computers) to neighborhood groups.

Provide residents with Access to Computers,
the Internet and Other Information Technology

• Open an existing computer lab (perhaps in a school) to the public at night and/or during weekends. Train parents or neighborhood association volunteers to help in the lab or teach classes.
• Collaborate to establish public information workstations in a community development organization or clinic. The starting page for a web browser could point people to local resources and educational information. Use volunteers to hold orientation sessions and assist users seeking online information.
• Purchase video taping and editing equipment and make it available to community groups. Develop community video production teams.
• Install an Internet connection in an existing lab or public terminal.
• Provide laptop computers for public checkout.

Increase Resident Use of Technology for Civic
Engagement and Democratic Participation

• Develop an on-line discussion forum about neighborhood or youth issues.
• Develop a virtual reality model of a neighborhood showing impacts of proposed zoning changes, etc.