GFEM Funder Briefing

Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media is please to present a funder briefing call and toolkit release tomorrow from 12-1pm (EDT).

An unprecedented $7.2B in federal Broadband Stimulus funding is being distributed over the next 12 months for building out high-speed Internet access specifically to unserved and underserved communities. Beyond wiring these communities, there is government support for tele-health and economic development projects, online learning, technology training in schools and libraries, and much more.

Yesterday, the Benton Foundation released Philanthropy's Role in Creating a Connected America - a toolkit to help funders make the most of this historic opportunity. GFEM was pleased to have contributed to the production and distribution of this timely resource for the philanthropic community.

If you’re interested in discussing these issues further and part of the philanthropic community, please RSVP to join GFEM and our co-sponsors on Thursday, October 8th, for a lively discussion with colleagues featured in the toolkit and it's authors. We will hear how funders have gotten involved and how you can also: from convening informational sessions with grantees and providing funds for technical assistance, to actively coordinating and submitting regional proposals.

Presenters on tomorrow’s call will include:
- Laura Efurd, ZeroDivide
- Jill Nishi, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Bernadine Joselyn, Blandin Foundation
- Cecilia Garcia, Benton Foundation

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Perlstein, at jperlstein@gfem.org, or to receive the call-in number.