City Bureau partners with Cook County to launch the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program.

By City Bureau

City Bureau's work has always been based in shifting power by equipping communities to share their stories in their own words. We're excited to join the Cook County Office of the President to announce the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program that will drive that mission forward while addressing gaps in access to the tools and resources people need to live well and be informed.

The first-ever round of the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program just launched and is open to eligible community organizations in Suburban Cook County. This grant program was designed to support organizations implementing initiatives that address gaps in digital equity—from solutions that provide free WiFI access to piloting digital skills training. 

Cook County selected City Bureau as the partner for this groundbreaking program to co-design, coordinate, and implement activities that leverage storytelling to enhance digital equity across the region.

"We are thrilled to partner with Cook County on the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program," said Morgan Malone, Executive Director of City Bureau. "Storytelling is a powerful tool for driving digital equity, and this initiative allows us to empower communities by amplifying their voices and stories. Information equity is all the more challenging without digital equity. Together, we are committed to building a more inclusive digital landscape where every community can thrive."

The program builds on the October 2023 Digital Equity Action Plan developed by Cook County and aligns with the four cornerstones of the plan: access, confidence, safety, and infrastructure. The grants will enable community organizations to craft narratives that highlight digital equity issues and solutions while advocating for lasting, community-driven change.

“The launch of the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program is a key milestone in our work to ensure that every Cook County resident has access to the digital resources they need to thrive in today’s economy,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “By partnering with City Bureau, we are not only addressing barriers to technology that many communities face but also enabling local organizations to share their unique stories with the world.”

As an organization with a track record of reimagining local media and supporting community-centered storytelling, City Bureau will be instrumental in ensuring that the program addresses digital access as well as enables communities to advocate for digital equity and share their success stories. 

Kyla Williams Tate, Director of Digital Equity for the Cook County Office of the President, emphasized the power of stories in shaping a more equitable digital future. “Through the Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program, we aim to elevate voices that have historically been marginalized in the digital narrative. By supporting these organizations, we are building a network of storytellers who can advocate for their communities and inspire lasting change.”

Applications close on November 15, 2024. 

This is just the first step in an unprecedented journey we’re taking to bolster community-driven narratives and support people spurring change in their neighborhoods. We are so excited to advance this work alongside Cook County to build toward a more equitable digital world together.

The Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program application and more information about eligibility are available here. Please submit all questions to cookcountydigitalequity@cookcountyil.gov or join us for a webinar on October 17th.