City Bureau and Cook County are launching another round of funding to support digital equity projects in Suburban Cook County. Applications are due January 14.
By City Bureau
One year ago, City Bureau and the Cook County Office of the President announced the launch of a new program that funds organizations advancing digital equity while utilizing community storytelling.
The Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program supports organizations working to improve access to the internet, technology, and digital literacy resources. Today, we’re thrilled to share that we have launched the second round of IMPACT program funding, and applications are open now for all eligible nonprofit organizations serving Suburban Cook County.
Since the IMPACT program launched in December 2024, we have funded and supported 14 organizations to address the digital divide and engage their communities so more people can access the information, devices, and resources they need to live well, be informed, and connect with one other. The second round of IMPACT program funding will enable us to expand our cohort and build on the momentum of this first-of-its-kind opportunity.
This work is more than a grant program—it’s a pioneering model in Cook County that expands capacity and elevates community voices. “As this pilot evolves, we see the transformative effect of combining digital access with authentic storytelling,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “The stories emerging from this work help guide us in building a stronger, more equitable digital ecosystem.”
“We are so proud to continue our partnership with Cook County to support leaders who are informing, engaging, and equipping our communities to take action in the digital age,” said City Bureau Interim Executive Director Jody Chong. “Stewarding this program alongside our partners this year has deepened our understanding of how critical access to the internet and technology are for strong, informed communities, and we are excited to meet the next IMPACT program cohort that will carry this work forward.”
The IMPACT program adds capacity to nonprofit organizations in Suburban Cook County by providing funding for projects addressing access to the internet, digital devices, and training. The program also leverages community storytelling to increase awareness and education about digital equity by funding projects that include strategies for community engagement and storytelling approaches.
“We are working alongside City Bureau to grow our ecosystem of digital equity champions, and invest in models that both enable our communities to thrive and center the human stories that make digital skills and access real in our daily lives,” said Kyla Williams Tate, Director of Digital Equity for the Cook County Office of the President. “Through the IMPACT program, we are creating a new corps of storytellers and practitioners who are raising awareness and inspiring action across Suburban Cook County,”
Fifteen grants are available at three tiers of funding, depending on the size and type of project applicants submit. Boost grants are $7,500 and will support new, smaller-scale projects. Empower grants are $15,000 and will support existing larger-scale projects. This round, we also created the Horizon grant, which is $30,000 and will fund a project working to address scalable broadband infrastructure.
In the program’s first year, funded organizations built new relationships—including more than a dozen new partnerships across the cohort—and joined an ecosystem of nonprofits, news organizations, colleges, and libraries sharing ideas and collaborating to further the impact of their work.
This round of funding aims to continue the growth of the digital equity ecosystem in Cook County, provide resources to pilot and implement projects advancing digital inclusion, and foster new partnerships that strengthen efforts across the county.
Applications close on January 14, 2026.
The IMPACT program is growing, and we can’t wait to introduce the latest members of our expanded community and continue to support the work, stories and relationships that drive our work forward.
The Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants Program application and more information about eligibility are available here. Please submit all questions to grants@citybureau.org or join us for a virtual informational session in early January.