On September 18, 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved four grants totaling $199,431 from the Digital Divide Account. The aim is to support low-income urban and rural communities in California by providing better access to digital resources.
The funding will go to several organizations across the state. Cyber-Seniors will serve 300 seniors in Los Angeles, offering technology training and access. The Parent Institute for Quality Education will reach 300 students in Fresno and the Central Valley. The California Emerging Technology Fund is set to assist 307 students at Cesar E. Chavez Middle School in Planada, while Montague Charter Academy for the Arts and Sciences will benefit 125 students in Pacoima.
According to the CPUC, “Each of these grants represents more than a financial investment, they are a bridge to opportunity. The funds support schools and help students, families, and seniors gain access to digital tools like computers, textbooks, and technology trainings necessary to thrive in today’s connected world.”
The Digital Divide Grant Program receives its funding from lease agreements for wireless telecommunications facilities on state-owned property. Each year it awards up to $200,000 to community-based organizations and schools that promote digital inclusion through broadband connections, hardware distribution, digital literacy workshops, or teacher training.
To qualify for this program, schools must have at least half of their students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Community-based organizations need a record of work focused on digital inclusion.
The CPUC highlighted the broader impact of these efforts: “Closing the digital divide isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. These grants help make sure that:
A child can complete homework at home instead of falling behind.
A parent can take online classes to build new skills for a better job.
A grandparent can connect with family or schedule a telehealth appointment.”
The commission reiterated its commitment: “The CPUC’s ongoing commitment to Broadband for All means ensuring that every Californian, regardless of where they live or how much they earn, has the opportunity to fully participate in the digital world. Through programs like the Digital Divide Grant Program, the CPUC continues to invest in community-driven solutions that make a real difference, one household, one student, and one connection at a time.”
