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A close-up shot of a Black woman with bleached hair, wearing a blue plaid shirt, looking down and smiling at a phone held in their hands. A banner on the left side of the image announces $515,000 in funding to get more people online in the Kansas City region, from the Health Forward Foundation.

Funding Announcement

Health Forward gifts $515,000 to provide greater economic opportunities through increased access to broadband

Kansas City, MO — Health Forward Foundation is pleased to announce $515,000 in funding for 17 nonprofit organizations committed to advancing digital access, skills, and equity throughout its six-county service area. These community-based organizations have established relationships and experience with the people they serve to increase reliable internet access, provide digital devices, and develop digital skills.  

“At Health Forward, we know that digital connectivity is essential for people to fully participate in society,” said McClain Bryant Macklin, Health Forward Vice President of Policy and Impact. “From employment to health care and housing access, digital access is now necessary to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society. These gifts reflect our commitment to addressing the digital divide that disproportionately affects rural and people of color people in our prioritized communities of focus.” 

Funding will support a range of initiatives including: 

  • Digital literacy training 
  • Affordable high-speed internet access 
  • Access to quality technology/devices 
  • Support for multilingual and multicultural communities 
  • Workforce development through digital skills 
  • Access to telehealth 

 “Digital access is about more than technology — it’s about ensuring that people can connect to critical services, education, and economic opportunities,” said Jennifer Tidwell, Health Forward Principal Impact Strategist – Place. “This funding helps bridge longstanding gaps and move us closer to a future where everyone can thrive.” 

Research underscores the urgency of addressing digital inequities. According to the Pew Research Center, while 93 percent of Americans have internet access, only 71 percent of rural residents have high-speed internet. Broadband adoption also shows racial gaps: 80 percent of white households have broadband, compared to 71 percent of Black households and 65 percent of Latino/a/x households. High costs, limited infrastructure, and a lack of culturally relevant digital literacy training contribute to these gaps. 

This funding stems from Health Forward’s Place purpose area, which focuses on two influential social factors – affordable housing and digital access. It builds on previous investments in digital equity, reflecting Health Forward’s continued commitment to addressing long-standing barriers to connectivity, digital literacy, and technology access.   

Health Forward is proudly partnering with the following 17 organizations across Kansas and Missouri to close these divides and ensure that digital equity is within reach for everyone in our region: 

Organization Funding Impact
ArtsTech $20,000 Connects young adults (ages 16–24) to the tech workforce with digital literacy and job skills training.
aSTEAM Village $50,000 Expands telehealth access for residents through digital health hubs with devices, internet, and trained ambassadors.
El Centro $30,000 Offers Spanish digital equity classes for 120+ Latino/a/x people, providing certifications, laptops, and job support. 
Exceeds Expectations $10,000 Provides laptops and internet service to financial literacy participants, improving access to banking and careers. 
Greater Kansas City LINC  $30,000 Establishes a computer lab to boost digital skills for 200+ seniors at the Palestine Senior Citizens Activity Center. 
Guadalupe Centers $35,000 Combines digital skills with English classes to enhance careers and address health determinants for Latino/a/x families. 
Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation $25,000 Operates a youth and young adult tech program with training, corporate connections, and holistic health support to increase economic mobility. 
Jewish Vocational Service $35,000 Provides devices and digital literacy training to help immigrants and refugees access jobs, health care, and education. 
Latinx Education Collaborative $50,000 Equips 250 Spanish-speaking parents with digital skills and devices. 
Literacy KC $15,000 Offers free digital literacy classes to 250 adults, addressing the digital divide.  
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center $45,000 Enhances rural telemedicine with portable exam kits and tablets for 1,000 residents in Allen County. 
STEMS on the VINES/KC Creators $25,000 Delivers STEM programs and devices to students in Jackson County. 
STW Charities $25,000 Supplies laptops and internet for unhoused students to reduce absenteeism and boost engagement. 
Thrive Allen County $30,000 Conducts a community assessment to address digital access barriers in Allen County. 
Urban League of Greater Kansas City $40,000 Offers digital literacy and broadband to help low-income residents and seniors develop tech skills. 
Welcome Wellness Health Education Resource Center $20,000 Provides devices and classes to improve digital literacy for older adults and people with disabilities. 
Westside Housing Organization $30,000 Improves residents’ quality of life through device distribution, internet access, and digital training. 

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