Closing the Digital Divide: Philanthropy’s Work to Expand Broadband Access and Digital Literacy for Arkansans

Life Skills for Youth and El Centro Hispano pilot digital navigators model in Arkansas.

Since 2021, billions of dollars in federal broadband investments have been distributed to communities through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Act (DEA). This is historic, unprecedented, and transformative for the people and communities of Arkansas. Through these investments, the Arkansas State Broadband Office (ASBO)—collaborating with businesses, organizations, and residents across the state — has taken several steps to lay the groundwork to eliminate the digital divide.

While infrastructure investments must be in place and lay the foundation for closing the digital access gap, there remains a challenge to help individuals access, use, and afford broadband. In 2024, ASBO released the Arkansas Digital Skills and Opportunity Plan, a blueprint aimed at making broadband accessible for all Arkansans by 2030. According to ASBO, nearly 200,000 Arkansans lack access to high-speed internet, and over 30% of households with incomes below $20,000 remain disconnected due to affordability challenges. Beyond infrastructure, barriers such as digital literacy, device availability, and the ability to navigate online platforms prevent many from taking full advantage of broadband connectivity. This plan—born out of community conversations, data-driven insights, and a commitment to leaving no one behind—outlines the steps to equip Arkansans with the skills and access they need to succeed in a connected, digital world. 

Philanthropy has been and will continue to be a ready partner to help support efforts—especially efforts aimed at harder to serve populations and communities—access, leverage, and afford broadband. Funders engaged in the plan’s development and are aligning investments to compliment the plan’s goals by:

• Investing in digital navigator models

• Supporting localized broadband adoption efforts

• Providing communities and organizations technical support to assess broadband needs

• Fostering innovation in digital literacy among trusted nonprofit organizations

• Encouraging collaborative partnerships

Still, Philanthropy can lead in more ways. Together we must work to: 

• Expand Digital Literacy Initiatives: Support efforts that engage and empower rural, low-income communities, ensuring that digital skills become a universal right and necessary devices are accessible.

• Strengthen Local Capacity: Provide funding and technical assistance to community-based organizations and community development financial institutions ready and able to sustain and scale  digital skills and opportunity programs.

• Foster Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage innovation by investing in pilot projects that explore community broadband models, telehealth initiatives, and digital workforce development programs.

• Invest in Data, Evaluation and Storytelling: Ensure that efforts continue to be informed by data, evaluation metrics, and adapted to meet the changing needs of people and communities while also informing Arkansas’s broadband expansion story and elevating accountability

Philanthropy is not a substitute for public investment, but a critical complement. Philanthropy must continue to ensure every Arkansan not only has internet access, but knows how to use it, afford it, and thrive through it.

Click these links to learn more about AR State Broadband Office and broadband opportunities for all Arkansans.