Sources for Funding and Other Support

Local Sources of Support

Local governments can be the most important source of support because they increase long term sustainability and show outside funding sources that there is strong local commitment. Local funds can come from a variety of sources:

• Local government: economic development grants
• Public library: public access,servers, training
• Public school system: public access, servers, training
• Chamber of Commerce: training
• Civic organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary Club, etc.): training
• Community college or university: public access, servers, training

Federal Grant Programs

Outside support usually comes from state or federal agencies and private foundations. Some of the major dunding sources aimed especially at community networking, distance learning or economic development are listed below.

• National Science Foundation– Network Infrastructure for Education Program
• US Commerce Department– National Telecomm and Info Administration , Economic Development Administration
• US Department of Education
  • Office of Education Research and Improvement
  • Challenge Grants - Teaching with Technology
  • Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration– Schoolhouse of the Future
• National Endowment for the Humanities– Teaching with Technology Program
• Appalachian Regional Commission
• US Department of Agriculture– Rural Development Administration, Rural Electrification Administration

State Funds

• Department of Education (e.g., funding for library automation, local and wide area networking, and computer equipment in the classroom)
• Public Library Association (funding for automation, local area network, equipment and personnel for training)

Private Foundations

• Pew Charitable Trust
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
• John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
• Benton Foundation
• Annenberg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting
• AT&T
• IBM
• Bell Atlantic Foundation