The critical role of philanthropy in increasing Internet access and use

But we’re not the “Broadband Foundation”…

The critical role of philanthropy in increasing Internet access and use

Bernadine JoselynForum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers

November 17, 2014

Blandin Foundation

Vibrant. Rural. Community.

Blandin Foundation

• Grants • Community leadership

training• Convening and public

policy

Why a focus on broadband access and use?

“As the Internet becomes a gateway to democratic participation, economic opportunity, and human

expression, it is critical to the future of our country— and our philanthropic missions —

to ensure that everyone has high-speed access to an open Internet.”

~ Luis Ubiñas, Ford Foundation

“Gaining access to the Internet is fast becoming a prerequisite for participating in civic and economic life.”

~ Jamahal King

Boosting broadband use is the right thing to do.

It’s also the smart thing to do.

Broadband Helps Household Pocketbooks

The Internet Innovation Alliance reports that households with

broadband save $8,674 annually simply by moving interactions online.

http://www.internetinnovation.org/library/special-reports/access-to-broadband-internet-top-ten-areas-of-saving/

Broadband Creates Jobs and Profits

23.4% of all new jobs created in the economies are directly attributable to broadband

Businesses that increased their utilization of broadband by 10% realize a 24% gain in revenue and a 7% reduction in costs.*

*Strategic Network Group research report

Broadband Grows Economies

Connect Minnesota research (2013) shows that a 1% increase in broadband

adoption could grow Minnesota’s economy by $517 million.

We drank the KoolAid….

We came to understand:

1. Broadband access is fundamental to everything we care about as a

foundation…..

2. While economic growth, community connectedness, quality of life

improvements all follow telecommunications investment,

investment in infrastructure is not enough.

3. Community focus on broadband use is needed to deliver on the full promise

of digital literacy and global connectivity.

If not us, who?

“Somebody has to do something, and it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”

~ Jerry Garcia

Foundations are uniquely positioned to:

Convene people to address challenges and opportunities

Ensure diverse perspectives are represented – “don’t do it to us without us”

Frame issues in ways that motivate people to effective action

Bring promising practices to bear Invest in good ideas

We invested our own grant dollars ….

and on behalf of the communities we serve…

we applied for and were awarded a $4.8 million federal grant through NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program of the ARRA.

$1.5 million in partner match $6.4 million total project

MIRC’s goal:

Foster a “culture of use” across rural MN.

A “whole community” approach

Communities: Convened diverse leadership teams Established baselines of use Set goals Selected and funded projects that met

goals Measured progress Shared their stories Celebrated success!

In addition….

….nearly 100 community-designed and administered projects were funded

Outputs

Outcomes

So what?

“Communities felt rejuvenated because there were so many

people rallying to get these projects done for

their school, community or organization.”

–Jacki Anderson, Upper Minnesota Valley RDC

~ Nancy Hoffman, Benton County Economic Development Director

“Our elected officials now see the importance of

broadband for economic development and

community vitality.”

“These technology classes have

encouraged our Hispanic and Somali

immigrants to interact, really for the first

time.”–Fatima Said, Project FINE, Winona

“This effort has helped us develop wonderful

community connections. We have reached out to our whole community.”

–Keri Bergeson, Principal, Dawson/Boyd High School

Top 5 Lessons Learned

5. Peers make great teachers. 4. Engage tomorrow’s leaders today.  3. Broadband is not an end in itself. 2. Have patience.

1. It all comes down to community leadership.

Bernadine JoselynDirector, Public Policy & Engagement

Blandin Foundationbrjoselyn@blandinfoundation.org

218/327-8728www.blandinfoundation.org