Indianapolis nonprofits have until July 12 to apply for funding to help increase internet access in their communities.
The money comes from a new partnership between Managed Health Services, Black Onyx Management and the Indiana Minority Health Coalition to address health inequities across the state.
“Our work focuses on areas where health outcomes are the poorest,” said Criss Sutton, the health equity program director at Managed Health Services. “We are primarily looking at geographic, racial, ethnic and age disparities.”
At least $2 million will be distributed to community programs and resources this year. The first round of funding is focused on broadband access. According to a 2017-21 survey in Indiana’s Digital Equity Plan, nearly a fourth of Hoosier households did not have internet access or relied solely on cellular data.
“It could be used to help with accessing the internet, buying mobile apps or setting up WiFi hotspots for the community they serve,” said Lauren Bickham, the equity fund director at Black Onyx Management. “We want to help strengthen work that’s already being done in communities.”
Organizations must submit a proposal and budget for their project. The program has not received any applications from Indianapolis nonprofits, Bickham said.
Email strategicpartnerships@mhsserves.org for more information.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
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