DPO-KC
Bridging the digital divide in Kansas City…together.
What is DPO-KC?
The Digital Program Office of Greater Kansas City (DPO-KC) provides awareness, assistance, alignment, advocacy, and accountability (the five A’s) for Kansas City region nonprofits that rely on affordable and reliable internet, computers, and digital literacy skills for their staff and clients. Digital competency is often cited as a Social Determinant of Health, and the work of DPO-KC and its Five A’s strategy advances capacity building, leadership development, and connectedness among a broad array of community-based organizations serving communities of color and rural areas.
Awareness
Highlighting funding opportunities and engaging with gap-filling organizations
Assistance
Providing hands-on support for small organizations needing resources for internet, computers, and digital training, but lacking the capacity to obtain grants in competition with larger, more established organizations.
Alignment
Managing a community ‘scorecard’ from goals determined by all funding sources.
Advocacy
Promoting all organizations committed to digital programs.
Accountability
Committing all partners to collaboration, transparency, and data sharing.
“We have an obligation to our community, its residents, and its leaders in the economic, social, civic, public, and private sectors to ensure that both public and private funding is being used responsibly and sustainably. Through its advocacy efforts, DPO-KC strives to ensure that both new and ongoing funding is making a positive and sustainable impact on Educational, Employment, Healthcare, Civic, and Social advancements in the lives of our local residents due to digital access services.”
— Tom Esselman, Executive Director - Digital Program Office of Greater Kansas City
