Media Contact: 
Paloma.Perez@fcc.gov 

For Immediate Release

FCC CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL SHARES TARGETED PROPOSAL TO OFFER ANOTHER CHANCE FOR FUNDING TO PROMOTE THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
A Proposed Second Grant Opportunity Gives Organizations Another Chance to Receive Support to Reach Historically Unserved and Underserved Communities, Including Tribal Communities
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WASHINGTON, March 10, 2023—Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared with her colleagues a Report and Order proposing a second, more targeted Notice of Funding Opportunity to raise awareness and promote the Affordable Connectivity Program as part of the FCC’s broader consumer outreach efforts.  The proposal is part of a reinvigorated campaign to enroll more eligible households and families in the nation’s largest broadband affordability program.  The outreach grant program seeks to enlist trusted community messengers to develop innovative strategies to reach historically unserved and underserved communities.  Selected partners will be provided with funding from the National Competitive Outreach Program and Tribal Competitive Outreach Program to increase participation among eligible, low-income households in need of an internet connection.  

“Having an internet connection at home is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.  We’ve now supported more than 16 million households in making that reality easier with our Affordable Connectivity Program, but we continue to look for ways to reach more families in need of help,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “Earlier today, we announced more than $60 million in outreach grants to community partners across the country to support us in building trust and increasing enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program.  
 
“In order to maximize the funding Congress provided to promote the program, we got creative and proposed adjustments to offer additional support for our direct outreach efforts.  I’ve proposed another targeted grant opportunity to give even more outreach partners a chance to join us in our work to close the digital divide.  I am hopeful my colleagues will continue to demonstrate their support for this program and the organizations who have stepped up as trusted partners to promote it.” 

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).