Harnessing the Power of the Internet to Improve Lives
Maine's Digital Opportunity Fund
Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is the public agency leading the statewide expansion of broadband and digital opportunity in Maine. Building out internet infrastructure is not enough to realize the benefits of connectivity for Maine; we must make sure Maine people have the access, devices, and skills they need to improve their lives through connectivity.
MCA is launching a fundraising campaign to raise $15 million over three years from private and philanthropic donors to do just that.
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Get In Touch​
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Maggie Drummond Bahl
Sr. Director, Digital Equity & Partnerships
mbahl@maineconnectivity.org
(207) 209-3841
The "digital divide" is the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not (National Digital Inclusion Alliance). ​
89% of Maine’s people identify as being impacted by the digital divide.
MCA has received some federal funding that in many ways has worked as down payment on Maine's ability to provide digital opportunity for everyone. Through requests for funding from prior competitive MCA grant programs, we know that the resources needed to meet our statewide goals exceed our available federal funds. (To add/amend to include risks to funding altogether.)
All additional funds raised will support Strategy 2 from Maine’s statewide Digital Equity Plan: Leverage Partnerships to Reach Places & People. MCA will invest in partners and programs which reach broad geographies and explicitly support those who face the most barriers to connectivity.
How to Donate
When you support the Digital Opportunity Fund, you are supporting much more than access to the internet — you are enabling the ability for Maine veterans to receive healthcare, for young people to enter the workforce, for small businesses to compete in a global economy.
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Maine has a thriving ecosystem of organizations committed to doing the work. Now is the time to keep partners working together to ensure that all people in Maine can take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by internet connectivity.
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​MCA is accepting private and philanthropic donations of at minimum $500,000, over three years. Interested parties should review the donor materials linked below and email Maggie Drummond-Bahl, Senior Director of Digital Equity & Partnerships at mbahl@maineconnectivity.org for next steps.​​
When you Donate
Donors who choose to support the Digital Opportunity Fund will receive recognition on MCA's website and social media and in MCA's annual impact report, invitation to Maine's annual Digital Equity Summit and regular community celebrations, and direct impacts stories from organizations and individuals across the State.
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Work in Action
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Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partners
Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partners (RWBP) sustain and maximize the benefits of broadband infrastructure investment in all corners of Maine to ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities provided by connectivity. Among other achievements in 2024, RWBP provided 2,730 digital skills trainings to 4,639 participants; 1,990 people participated in internet safety education events; and 702 devices were distributed which met individuals’ needs .
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Current Status: Years 1 and 2 focused on building partnerships and creating regional and Tribal digital equity plans. In Year 3, partners are implementing programs to support communities and individuals most impacted by the digital divide, including device programs, digital navigator support, and digital skills training.
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Needs: $1.9 million, matched by $1.4 million from MCA
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The Connectivity Hubs program provides capital grants to community anchor institutions – such as libraries, community centers, municipal and Tribal buildings, and affordable housing developments – to expand or create new spaces that provide workforce training, education and telehealth services in areas most impacted by a lack of access to high-speed internet.
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Current Status: MCA awarded $12.1 million to 11 Connectivity Hub sites in 2024, all of which are at various stages of construction or implementation. Three additional proposals in this round remain unfunded, and over 70 concepts were submitted for initial review.
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Needs: $3 million, matched by $12.1 million from MCA
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​​​​Digital Opportunity Networks
Digital Opportunity Networks integrate digital inclusion support into organizations, programs, and processes that are already reaching Maine people who face the most barriers to connectivity. The outcome of the program is to advance Maine’s goal of reaching 50,000 people with digital skills, devices, technical support and internet safety education. Grants will enable greater impact on economic, education, workforce, healthcare, civic, and social outcomes of the people served by funded organizations.
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​Current Status: The letter of intent deadline was March 7, 2025 and MCA received $15.8 million in requests from 25 applicants, representing interest from each Maine county, the Wabanaki Nations, and including several statewide concepts. Selected applicants will be asked to submit the full application by April 2025. Grant awards will range from $250-750K to fund a variety of solutions implemented by trusted partners across Maine.
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Core Partners
MCA regularly works with other nonprofits and state agencies in Maine that have been contributing to digital opportunity for decades prior to our own organization’s existence. These core partners represent a well of expertise and knowledge in how we reach people in need, including the National Digital Equity Center, Give IT Get IT, Maine State Library, and Maine Adult Education.
​Current Status: Beyond MCA's ability to fund partner organizations, there is a acute need for the long-term sustainability of this work. In 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) made direct awards to two organizations in Maine through its Digital Equity Grant Competitive Program: to NDEC for $13.7 million and to the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) for $11.1 million. These awards which are meant to support that long-term sustainability are now at risk.
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Needs: Demand for as much as $25 million, pending access to awarded federal funding
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Affordable Housing Connectivity Pilot
Residents of affordable housing are a key focus for MCA and our partners in Maine. They represent a concentrated population impacted by the digital divide including low income households, older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, English language learners and those with low literacy, individuals who are racial and ethnic minorities, and Tribal members. This is critically important and impactful work because over 42,000 people live in subsidized housing in Maine and face significant barriers to connectivity which could facilitate better economic, workforce, educational and other outcomes.
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Current Status: MCA has currently allocated $500,000 in state funds to support 2-3 pilot projects ($125K-$250K) which will be identified through an RFP process. This project is on hold while MCA assesses whether these state funds need to be utilized for initiatives already underway. If private funding can be secured, this program could launch now.
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Additional Opportunities: Device Donation Campaign
Donor Recognition Wall
