Nonprofits, meet the Wilmington is Working Equitable Technology Fund

As more workforce development programs go virtual — a shift forced by the COVID-19 pandemic that will likely remain as a way to conduct training — Wilmington Alliance is launching the Wilmington is Working Equitable Technology Fund to benefit local 501(c)(3) workforce development programs in need of hardware devices and virtual access technologies like Zoom Pro Plan for online training.

Barclays US Consumer Bank is providing anchor funding to support the procurement, setup and delivery of technology hardware and other tech needs.

“Keeping adults and out-of-school youth on their trajectory towards meaningful employment and sustainable career pathways is essential to the community’s recovery post COVID-19,” said Wilmington Alliance President and CEO Renata Kowalczyk in a statement. “The Alliance is proud to lead this collaborative initiative that will keep programs performing essential training and mitigating the digital divide creating workforce equity. Our partners are coming together to meet a need head on.”

NERDiT NOW will provide the hardware, technical support, and maintenance and repairs for recipients of the Wilmington is Working Equitable Technology Fund.

“Here at NERDiT NOW, we believe that we are providing more than just a computer — our goal is to provide opportunities,” said founder Markevis Gideon. “Technology is an essential tool and will help keep our workforce development programs on track to create a positive impact within our community.”

Applications, which are rolling and projected to be awarded on a biweekly basis subject to funding availability, are open now. For more information, go to wilmingtonalliance.org.