Access to digital technology and reliable Internet dictates access to education, healthcare, jobs, and meaningfully engaging in democracies. We strive to close the digital divide in all its forms, particularly among underserved and historically marginalized communities. A goal of the Michelson 20MM Foundation is to create a future in which all individuals have the broadband access and capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.

Michelson 20MM builds awareness of and works to close the “digital divides.” We do so through paradigm-shifting policies and convening of cross-sectoral leaders to increase investments in innovative solutions.

This year, Michelson 20MM will continue investing through the Michelson Spark Grants program to surface and scale additional solutions to these critical issues. This Digital Equity Spark Grants cycle seeks to fund projects that support systems-level strategies with potential to create positive impact at scale. We’re looking for big solutions for big problems that inform State and local public policy. 

The 2025 Digital Equity Spark Grants funding cycle opens on May 27, 2025, and closes on June 10, 2025. 

Focus Areas

• Policy Advocacy and Civic Engagement to Achieve Broadband for All: Efforts that increase civic participation in digital equity policy-making and regulatory processes at the local, regional, or state-level. This includes the education of state policy-makers on key digital equity issues.
• Digital Equity as a Social Determinant of Health: Efforts that address digital inequity through its impact as a social determinant of health. Specifically, we are seeking projects that are scalable across the state. Efforts that bridge the digital divide in at least one of the following issue areas:
  • Higher Education (i.e.: Research on the impact of digital inequity on college students)
  • Economic Opportunity (i.e.: Workforce development; equitable access to seeking, applying, and securing jobs)
  • Civic Engagement (i.e.: Access to public benefits)
  • Housing and Renters’ Rights (i.e.: Access to fair and affordable housing, protection of renter’s rights to internet choice)
  • Disaster Resilience and Recovery (i.e: Community-owned resources to aid in long-term disaster resilience through connectivity)
• Internet Access as a Civil Right: Eliminating digital discrimination efforts that help address the impact that low-quality and/or unaffordable Internet has in areas that may superficially appear to have Internet access. The projects should provide tools to combat digital discrimination and to promote equitable access to broadband throughout California. By focusing on the role of race in the historical causes of digital inequity, we seek to grow awareness and uplift the voices and needs of underserved communities that have been deliberately excluded from connectivity by systematic redlining and disinvestment. These may include, but are not limited to:
  • Efforts that highlight disparities in broadband access 
  • Research that addresses mapping shortcomings at the state level
  • Storytelling, surveying, testimonial-gathering
  • Data that contributes to transparency around internet service providers (ISP) practices and services, for use in collective community advocacy efforts

Funding Cycle Details

Given the complexity of securing funding for programs and initiatives that fully address digital inequity, we welcome proposals where Spark Grant funds are coupled with multiple funding streams.

We will not fund initiatives that provide direct assistance to students during this round (e.g. laptops or hotspots for remote learning). While we realize there is a tremendous need for this type of direct support, we are leveraging our funding to effect broader systemic change.

For this funding cycle, we will focus on organizations that are doing work in California.  

Join Us to Learn More

Digital Equity Senior Program Manager Cristal Mojica and Director of Operations and Programs Ryan Erickson-Kulas will host an informational webinar on Thursday, May 15th, at 10:00 am PT. They will provide an in-depth overview of the Spark Grants program, highlight past awardees, and answer any questions from attendees.

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

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