The document discusses the critical role of philanthropy in increasing broadband access and use. It outlines how the Blandin Foundation invested in a project called the Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (MIRC) to foster a "culture of use" of broadband across rural Minnesota. The $6.4 million project involved convening community leadership teams, establishing baselines of broadband use, setting goals and funding nearly 100 local projects. Outcomes included rejuvenated communities, elected officials recognizing the importance of broadband, and increased social interactions across diverse groups. The top lesson learned was that increasing broadband use ultimately comes down to community leadership.

1. But we’re not
the “Broadband Foundation”…
The critical role of philanthropy in increasing
Internet access and use
Bernadine Joselyn
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
November 17, 2014

2. Blandin Foundation
Vibrant. Rural. Community.

3. Blandin Foundation
• Grants
• Community leadership
training
• Convening and public policy

4. Why a focus on broadband access and use?

5. “As the Internet becomes a gateway to democratic
participation, economic opportunity, and human expression,
it is critical to the future of our country
— and our philanthropic missions —
to ensure that everyone has high-speed access to an open
Internet.”
~ Luis Ubiñas, Ford Foundation

6. “Gaining access to the Internet is fast becoming a
prerequisite for participating in civic and economic life.”
~ Jamahal King

7. Boosting broadband use is the
right thing to do.
It’s also the smart thing to do.

8. Broadband Helps Household
Pocketbooks
The Internet Innovation Alliance reports that
households with broadband save $8,674
annually simply by moving interactions
online.
http://www.internetinnovation.org/library/special-reports/access-to-broadband-internet-
top-ten-areas-of-saving/

9. Broadband Creates Jobs
and Profits
 23.4% of all new jobs created in the
economies are directly attributable to
broadband
 Businesses that increased their utilization
of broadband by 10% realize a 24% gain
in revenue and a 7% reduction in costs.*
*Strategic Network Group research report

10. Broadband Grows Economies
Connect Minnesota research (2013) shows
that a 1% increase in broadband adoption
could grow Minnesota’s economy by $517
million.

11. We drank the KoolAid….

12. We came to understand:
1. Broadband access is fundamental
to everything we care about as a
foundation…..

13. 2. While economic growth, community
connectedness, quality of life improvements
all follow
telecommunications investment, investment
in infrastructure is not enough.

14. 3. Community focus on broadband use is
needed to deliver on the full promise of
digital literacy and global connectivity.

15. If not us, who?
“Somebody has to do something, and it’s just
incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”
~ Jerry Garcia

16. Foundations are uniquely
positioned to:
 Convene people to address challenges
and opportunities
 Ensure diverse perspectives are
represented – “don’t do it to us without us”
 Frame issues in ways that motivate people
to effective action
 Bring promising practices to bear
 Invest in good ideas

17. We invested our own grant dollars ….
and on behalf of the communities we serve…
we applied for and were awarded a $4.8 million
federal grant through NTIA’s Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program of the ARRA.
 $1.5 million in partner match
 $6.4 million total project

19. MIRC’s goal:
Foster a “culture of use” across rural MN.

20. A “whole community” approach
Communities:
 Convened diverse leadership teams
 Established baselines of use
 Set goals
 Selected and funded projects that met goals
 Measured progress
 Shared their stories
 Celebrated success!

22. In addition….
….nearly 100 community-designed and
administered projects were funded

23. Outputs
Outcomes

24. So what?

25. “Communities felt
rejuvenated because there
were so many people rallying
to get these projects done for
their school, community or
organization.”
–Jacki Anderson, Upper
Minnesota Valley RDC

26. “Our elected officials now see
the importance of broadband
for economic development
and community vitality.”
~ Nancy Hoffman, Benton County Economic
Development Director

27. “These technology
classes have encouraged
our Hispanic and Somali
immigrants to interact,
really for the first time.”
–Fatima Said, Project FINE, Winona

28. “This effort has helped us
develop wonderful community
connections. We have
reached out to our whole
community.”
–Keri Bergeson, Principal, Dawson/
Boyd High School

29. Top 5 Lessons Learned
5. Peers make great teachers.
4. Engage tomorrow’s leaders today.
3. Broadband is not an end in itself.
2. Have patience.

30. 1. It all comes down to community
leadership.

31. Bernadine Joselyn
Director, Public Policy & Engagement
Blandin Foundation
brjoselyn@blandinfoundation.org
218/327-8728
www.blandinfoundation.org