Western North Carolina Digital Opportunities Grants

Jeremiah Robinson
j.robinson@dht.org

The Digital Opportunities Initiative focuses on making high-speed internet more available, affordable and useful for everyone in Western North Carolina. This funding opportunity will support programs, projects and skill development that help organizations and communities:

• Gain access to resources and tools that reduce the digital divide
• Distribute devices and other technology for using affordable internet
• Offer digital skills training and technical support that helps people connect to resources for their day-to-day needs including health, education, employment, housing, and more
• Develop supportive digital applications and content that expands access to health, education, economic and housing resources
• Increase access to affordable internet

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities, fiscal sponsorship organizations, government and non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, or K-12 schools, colleges and universities.

This funding opportunity does not seek to support organizations outside Western North Carolina who have no existing relationships, partnerships or connections to organizations or communities in the region. The western North Carolina region includes the Qualla Boundary region and 18 counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.

Eligible organizations should have an annual operating budget of at least $50,000. Dogwood typically does not fund more than 25% of an organization's annual operating budget within a single year.

Award ceiling: $250,000 per year
Award floor: $20,000 per year
Project period: Up to 2 years

A link to the application instructions is available on the program website.

The Digital Opportunities Initiative includes 2 grant pathways. Grant Pathway 1 is invitation only. Grant Pathway 2 proceeds in 2 stages. In stage 1 interested applicants should submit a letter of intent due May 18, 2026. Select applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal in stage 2 due in early summer 2026.