Native American Mother and Three Children Take a Walk Around the Neighborhood.

At a Glance

Current Status:
Closed

Applications Open:
January 25, 2021

Applications Due:
March 5, 2021, 11:59PM EST

Target Region:
US States: NC, GA, FL, VA, DC, SC, TX, AL, TN, KY, WV, DE, MD

Truist EPIC Grant

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of broadband Internet connectivity into focus as work, school, healthcare, and more shift online. Internet connectivity is more important than ever in keeping our lives moving. 

The $1 million Expanding Potential in Communities (EPIC) Grant program supports broadband initiatives in the southeastern United States, funded by Truist Financial Corporation’s Truist Cares* initiative, a $50 million philanthropic pledge to help rebuild communities in the company’s markets affected by COVID-19. As the administrating partner, the Internet Society will support local broadband expansion by funding complementary Internet connectivity solutions to help alleviate disparities in education, employment, and social welfare that are exacerbated by lack of access to broadband.

The $1 million Truist EPIC Grant will be distributed starting in April 2021 to as many as seven cooperative broadband projects in funds between $125,000 and $180,000.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Non-profit organizations, local governments, municipalities, townships, public-private partnerships, and cooperative organizations are eligible to apply for the Truist EPIC Grant. The grant is geared towards networks that serve low-income communities with significant Black, Indigenous, and diverse populations. Grant funding may be used to build a new network or expand an existing one.

Applicants must meet the following “Eligibility Criteria” to be considered for a grant:

  • Timeframe – project must show tangible results* within a year of receiving funding. Funding will occur in two stages between April and December 2021.
  • Location – project must be completed in one of the following states: North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Washington DC, South Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland.
  • Bandwidth – project must provide a minimum broadband threshold for deployment.
  • Applicant must have an official bank account in their name (based on their legal registration) in order to be eligible for a grant.

Applications are now closed.

How Will Applicants Be Selected?

Grant proposals who meet the minimum eligibility above will be reviewed against the following criteria:

  • Dedicated local champion 
  • Community-backed support 
  • Sustainability plan 
  • Minimum bandwidth requirements 
  • Availability of local tech partners (ISP, IXP) 
  • Financial management skills 
  • Digital literacy 
  • Low barrier from local laws – low license fees 
  • Available spectrum (low fees) 
  • End user hardware available (phone, computer, WiFi router) 
  • Power infrastructure for towers 
  • Local infrastructure for deployment (schools, libraries) 
  • Target demographic impacted

Timeline

January 25, 2021

Applications open

March 5, 2021, 11:59 PM EST

Applications close

March 2021

Application review & award selection

April 2021

Award recipient announcement & 1st grant disbursement

April – December 2021

Grant and recipient engagement & oversight

September – October 2021

2nd grant disbursement

January 2022

Grant closure

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

The Internet Society reserves the sole right to decide if an applicant and grant proposal meets the eligibility requirements.

* Truist Cares is a cooperative effort between Truist Financial Corporation, Truist Foundation, Inc., and Truist Charitable Fund to provide communities, organizations and individuals disaster relief and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.