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 (RWBPs) help deploy, sustain and maximize the benefits of broadband infrastructure investment in all state regions. 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: Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partners have provided critical capacity to communities since 2021. Now in its third year, partners are working to execute local
and regional Digital Equity Plans.
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Needs: $1.4 million, matched by $1.4 million from MCA
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Connectivity Hubs are community anchor institutions – such as libraries, community centers, municipal and Tribal buildings – 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 12 Connectivity Hub sites in 2024, all of which are at various stages of construction or implementation. There are three known sites in Van Buren, Millinocket, and Guilford which need funding, and many more communities that should have access to this opportunity for place-based investments.
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Needs: Demand for at least $4.5 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, so they can access the digital world that sometimes feels out of reach. 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 Digital Opportunity Networks program is currently accepting letters of intent to apply, with the full application period open through 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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Needs: $5 million, matched by $5 million from MCA
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Core Partners
MCA invested $1 million into National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) and give IT. get IT. in 2024. Investments increased capacity to provide digital skills instruction and refurbish devices for those who need them most. Both partners contract with Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partners to provide these resources statewide.
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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 outcomes of federal funding freeze
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Affordable Housing Connectivity Pilot
In 2024, MCA launched a Housing Conditions Survey to gather more data about affordable housing connectivity. During focus groups with residents of affordable housing, barriers to connectivity included high cost of service, lack of digital skills, devices, technical support, and concerns about internet safety. Case studies are being compiled to explore the opportunities and challenges.
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Current Status: MCA had allocated $900K in state and federal funding to support a pilot program in Maine in 2025 that would include partnerships between affordable housing property owners, managers, and internet service providers to reduce barriers to connectivity in Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs).
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Needs: Demand for at least $1 million pending eligible uses of BEAD Program "Non-Deployment" funds
Additional Opportunities: Device Donation Campaign
Donor Recognition Wall
