Resourcing the bridge between government investment and community engagement to achieve digital equity.
The Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative leveraged large-scale federal investments in broadband expansion and digital equity to close the digital divide and build lasting civic infrastructure. Through place-based coalitions and innovative community-driven projects.
Who We Are
The Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative was a philanthropic collaborative of the Media Democracy Fund, Ford Foundation, Democracy Fund, Mission Telecom, JPB Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation that leveraged large-scale federal investments in broadband expansion and digital equity to close the digital divide and build lasting civic infrastructure in underserved communities.
Our Approach
We believe closing the digital divide = strengthening our democracy.
Our goal was to help resource and support coalitions with civic infrastructure that can be used for multi-issue advocacy engagement. If done right, this infrastructure would outlast this moment and serve communities for years to come
DEOI’s approach went beyond grantmaking. In addition to monetary support, we provided coordination and resources rooted in community autonomy and support services. DEOI’s methodology was three-pronged:
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Monetary support was provided in partnership with our investing funder partners to resource capacity for grantees on-the-ground.
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The DEOI team assigned advocates, marketers, and operations associates to each grantee. We organized bi-weekly check-ins with each grantee, dedicating time and resources to help boost policy analysis, advocacy outreach, community engagement, cross-coalition information sharing, and streamlined operations.
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Grantees participated in monthly cohort meetings where lessons learned, challenges, and success stories were shared out during pre-scheduled, facilitated Zoom calls. DEOI encouraged collaboration to leverage their collective knowledge and adapt strategies to individual constituencies.
While DEOI has sunset, the work of our grantees lives on.
We invite you to explore some of the incredible efforts that continue to advance digital equity and community empowerment across the South and Southwest.
DEOI Grantees Advanced Digital Equity Across the Country.
Connecting Communities: New Mexico’s Tribal-Led Digital Equity Initiatives captures the groundbreaking efforts of the Santa Fe Indian School and tribal leaders as they work to bridge the digital divide across New Mexico’s Pueblos and Indigenous communities. Through powerful interviews and on-the-ground footage, the film explores the challenges of connectivity in rural and tribal lands, the historical importance of tribal sovereignty, and the innovative solutions that are empowering Indigenous leadership to build community-owned broadband infrastructure. This project highlights the resilience, collaboration, and impact of those working to ensure equitable access to education, opportunity, and civic engagement for generations to come.
Produced by the Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative
Santa Fe Indian School
New Mexico
Through the Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative, nine grantees in seven states led groundbreaking efforts to close the digital divide and strengthen civic infrastructure.
Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits & Philanthropy
Mississippi
Connecting Communities: Mississippi’s Digital Equity Initiatives captures the journey of the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy and their partners as they build digital equity coalitions across the state. Through interviews and on-the-ground footage, the film explores the challenges grantees face, the political landscape, and the transformative power of collaboration between nonprofits and philanthropy in driving civic engagement. This project aims to highlight the stories, efforts, and impact of those working tirelessly to bridge the digital divide in Mississippi.
Produced by the Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative
Investing in Digital Equity’s Future
Although the DEOI has sunset, the movement for digital equity continues.
Investing in digital equity remains critical to closing the digital divide and building lasting civic infrastructure in vulnerable communities. We encourage funders and partners to continue supporting DEOI grantees and community-driven efforts advancing this important work.
To learn more or get connected to ongoing grantee efforts, please contact info@mediademocracyfund.org.
The DEOI Team
The Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative was led and managed by éxito & co., a woman-led advocacy firm that specializes in community engagement.
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Daiquiri leads the Digital Equity and Opportunity Initiative, having been a thought partner on the project since its inception in 2022. As lead, Daiquiri engages with DEOI funders, grantees, policy makers, and advocates on a daily basis to help build a vision for what community-led digital equity looks like across the country.
Daiquiri Ryan Mercado is a Tejana and first-generation lawyer with passion, equity, and justice at the center of all of her work. With roots in Dallas, Phoenix, and Washington, DC, she’s dedicated her career to being a movement-builder, policy expert, and change-maker.
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Evelyn manages the day-to-day magic that makes DEOI possible. From operational support for grantee coalitions to coordinating site visits, Evelyn pushes DEOI to be efficient, effective, and authentically impactful every day.
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Maria manages and leads support for all nine of DEOI's grantees. In addition, Maria helps bridge knowledge between digital equity advocacy experts and DEOI's place-based coalitions.
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Nancy supports all nine DEOI grantees with marketing expertise and advocacy-focused coalition building tactics. Nancy provides hands-on support to place-based coalitions (powered by DEOI grantees) through community engagement toolkits and press opportunities, making DEOI's approach unique and comprehensive.