Spectrum Awards $40,000 Digital Education Grant

Spectrum today announced the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio has received a $40,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant. In 2023, Spectrum awarded $1.1 million total to 46 nonprofit organizations through Spectrum Digital Education, which supports broadband technology programs, education and training in unserved and underserved communities throughout the company’s service area.

“The importance of expanding access to essential broadband technologies, education and training is profound in our increasingly digital world,” said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact, Charter. “Through the 2023 Spectrum Digital Education grant program, Charter is partnering with valued nonprofits that share our commitment to create better opportunities for the communities we serve.”

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is on a mission to end generational poverty through programs focused on financial empowerment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, leadership engagement and advocacy. The organization will use the funding to support its Solid Opportunities for Advancement and Retention (S.O.A.R) program to help strengthen participants through digital education with access to training, tools and resources for career building. The $40,000 grant is the fourth Spectrum Digital Education Grant awarded to the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, bringing Spectrum’s total support for the organization to $125,000 over the past several years.

"We are incredibly grateful for Spectrum’s continued support through the Digital Education grant, because this funding is essential in advancing our mission to empower individuals with the digital skills necessary to thrive in today's workforce,” said Ebony Young, Senior Vice President, Impact, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. “By enhancing our SOAR program, we can provide more comprehensive training and open new pathways to living-wage employment for our community members."

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio and Spectrum hosted a celebration event on July 18 to showcase the partnership in action.

Spectrum’s Commitment: $9 Million and Counting

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is one of 46 nonprofit organizations across 14 states that Spectrum is supporting through the 2023 Spectrum Digital Education grants. Since the program’s 2017 launch, Spectrum has committed more than $9 million total to the initiative and has awarded 261 grants to 143 unique partners. As of September 2023, Spectrum Digital Education has helped to fund more than 30,000 digital education classes, distribute over 13,000 devices including laptops and support the creation of 157 tech labs.