Digital Equity Grants

The submission requirements state that organizations are limited to one application per track. Am I eligible to submit my own application and serve a role on another project submission?

Yes. Applying does not preclude you from serving a role on another project. Organizations can be a partner on unlimited projects. The limit is restricted to organizations proposing multiple projects as the primary applicant, who will be Arlington County’s grantee. Consider duplication of work, however. Grantees will need to ensure cumulative impact. Staff will screen for this during the pre-application phase.

The Partnership Implementation description notes 200+ individuals served. Would that be across the two years of the project, or 200 each year?

Over the life of the project.

Will proposals with less than 200+ served be disqualified under the Partnership Implementation Track?

No. This isn’t a disqualifier, but a suggested goal given the funding levels and beneficiaries served under the FY2026 grant. Applicants should also note that part of a proposal’s score considers funding request/beneficiary and ranks them by proposals.  

Is there a minimum number of individuals served for the Innovation Project track?

The Innovation Project track has no minimum or maximum beneficiary requirements. Given the funding level, we anticipate that beneficiaries served will be less than projects funded under the Partnership Implementation grant. 

Could proposals include a project with a timeline that is less than two years under the Partnership Implementation Track?

Yes. Grantees who applied under the Partnership Implementation grant will have a two-year term that allows for project flexibility given the timing of this grant compared to other activities (e.g., school calendars). Given that the grant will be structured as a grant reimbursement, projects may propose a timeline for less than two years, and project closeout could occur prior to the two-year term.

Do all participating organizations under the Partnership Implementation Track need to be nonprofit organizations?

No. Participating organizations could be other entities, including but not limited to consultants, County Departments, universities, and private corporations.

Can you propose a project with both digital navigation and computer training classes?

Yes. Projects can propose multiple activities as long as they are in line with the digital equity focus areas(PDF, 224KB).

Can the capacity-building grant go towards procurement of a database and internal training on how to use it? Could you cover staff time?

Procurement of a database management tool is an eligible expense under the capacity-building grant supplement. The grant does not cover staff time, but if the organization uses it to work with an outside vendor to set up the tool and train staff on how to use it, then this could be considered.

Are computers an eligible project expense?

Yes. The cost of computers can be part of a project as noted in the FY2027 Digital Equity Grant Focus Areas(PDF, 224KB).

If my fiscal sponsor plays a role in project implementation, could the organization count as a partner under the Partnership Implementation Track? The Notice of Funding Availability specifically states that fiscal sponsors do not count as a participating organization.

If the fiscal sponsor has a role in project implementation beyond administrative responsibilities, they could be considered a partner in the project. That role should be specified in your documentation.

Can Arlington Public Schools serve as a project partner?

Yes, if they are an active implementation partner.

Do you anticipate playing a role in facilitating partnerships?

Staff are available to help applicants make connections to other entities and may suggest entities to reach out to between the pre-application and full application process. Staff recommends reaching out to digitalequity@arlingtonva.us with questions related to connections to possible partners or for support in obtaining a partnership documentation letter.

Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs

Award

Project Description & Impact

Pilot a traveling help desk at affordable housing properties to augment the organization’s basic computer class curriculum for older adults. The project anticipates serving 100 individuals. The Alliance will support an additional 70 individuals by piloting a new smartphone class in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation and by covering increasing computer costs for students in the Alliance’s existing classes.

Aspire!

Award

$30,000

Project Description & Impact