The Rural Tech Fund provide grants for Rural Technology Education projects and Assistive Technology projects.

We review and award grants every 30-60 days, and there are no specific deadlines for applying. 

Rural Technology Education Grants

Most of our work manifests through our funding of teacher and student-led projects in public schools and libraries. Projects we fund are designed to help spark student interest in technology-based careers like computer science, computer engineering, information technology, programming, cyber security, robotics, or similar areas.

We typicaly fund rural tech projects that:

• Help introduce and teach students about computer technology. This includes computer science, programming, robotics, engineering, and design.

• Teach students to solve real-world, human service, and community impacting problems using computer technology.

• Are conducted by schools in rural or high-poverty areas.

• Are designed to reach multiple students within a school, equitably.

• Help establish ongoing student interest groups like maker spaces and coding clubs.

Our average grant ranges from $500-$2500. Larger amounts are considered for projects whose impact reaches large groups of students.

Assistive Technology (AT) Grants

We provide funding for Assistive Technology equipment to increase accessibility for students with disabilities in public schools and libraries. These donations include equipment and software that promote student inclusion and participation. Projects we have funded include laptops or tablets to utilize speech-to-text, text-to-speech, word processing, magnification, audiobooks, and other accessibility features. 

They also include Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices, whether a dedicated communication device or tablet used for AAC purposes, adaptive equipment such as keyboards or mouses that make technology accessible, and other software or applications that increase education and technology access for individuals. 

Since AT varies widely, we look for projects that specifically provide accessibility to a student or group of students and include technology access for inclusive purposes.

We typically fund assistive tech projects that-

• Are conducted by schools in rural or high-poverty areas.

• Help establish accessibility for a student or students

• Are utilized in a classroom, resource room, library, or for service-based visits

Our average grant ranges from $500-$2500. Larger amounts are considered for projects whose impact reaches large groups of students.