Sprint and the 1Million Project recognizes the value of non-profits, like Closing The Digital Gap and how and what a non-profit can bring in closing the homework gap and encourages School Districts and Schools to partner with local non-profits to assist your local schools or school district in getting involved and assisting with all needed support for participating in the 1Million Project, soliciting student  enrollees and much more as it relates to the requirements of being a selected participant as a school or school district.  While applications must be submitted by the actual school district (as they will be the official account holder on record for their school's students).  Bringing together other stake holders to start the dialogue with any necessary committees and local non-profits to assist in providing student support services, as well as gauge interest among parents is a win-win solution for your community. Sprint's 1Million Project feels that a "robust community support system would be beneficial for schools in managing the 1Million Project and ensuring students maximize the value of this program."  Utilizing our non-profit could help spread the word, educate the community on the issues of the digital divide in Michigan, along with give extra added support in this area of expertise having been a non-profit for over 15+ years whose mission is technology training, technology ownership and internet access for ALL!!!  For a bio of the Founder of Closing The Digital Gap (CTDG) click here...for staffing and board/officers of CTDG click here

The 1Million Project, as of 2020, supports approximately 350,000 students in 247 school districts across about 35 states.   Mr. Marcelo Claure, who is the actual founder of the 1Million Project and current  executive chairman of the board of Sprint Corporation, previously back in the year 2015 read an article in the media about the United States's homework gap which gave him the idea to start the project.  Because the internet had shape the project's founder life and career, it was astonishing to him to learn that "households with school-aged children in the U.S.... do not have internet access at home" rendering them "unable to do their homework properly..." . This media report demonstrated how families or youth would go to their respective school a couple of hours prior to open or after hours in order to utilize ther school’s internet or sit outside fast-food spots during late night hours to be able to access Wi-Fi services.  After exploration and consideration, Mr. Claure announced in the Fall of 2016, the creation of the 1Million Project, through Sprint, at a town hall event with former President Barack Obama.  He later converted the Project to a Foundation 501c3 non-profit charity in 2017.  Read the complete bio of the Project Founder click here 

School district that qualify, follow-up an apply to participant get screened or that are usually selected as a member of the 1Million Project, are afforded an opportunity to do more than help their local school district's students complete their homework from home they are part of a group of schools helping students participate in today’s digital world.  If your school district wants what is best for youth in your school district you should consider extending this program as one part of options for your students and parents.  By applying as a school district, if you qualify, it means extending internet connectivity beyond your students classrooms and directly into their home environments. Participation in the program is optional within school districts, however it allows for bridging the homework gap and impacting the digital gap nationwide, by starting locally with your school or school district's involvement, if qualified and selected. 

Local Michigan and nationwide school districts willing to identify, enroll and support a minimum of 50 High School students who DON'T have reliable high-speed Internet access in their homes.  NOTE: There is a 5,000 per year maximum students enrollment from a school district.  

In consideration of enrollment your School is encouraged to use your Free and Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) data to help identify whether your students are actually eligible to participate, once you are approved or considering applying to be a part of the 1Million Project. 

To reach a representative at Closing The Digital Gap (CTDG) in order to further explore options, opportunities and next steps, please feel free to Email:  info@closingthedigitalgap.org     or   Call Closing The Digital Gap at (517) 485-7581 Ext. 701 for Lansing, Michigan Area and (313) 367-1850 for Detroit Area.

CTDG Coordinator/Instructor - DETROIT, MICHIGAN

sharonc@closingthedigitalgap.org

CTDG Board Member/Community Liason- LANSING, MICHIGAN

angelap@closingthedigitalgap.org

Should you not want to partner, collaborate or allow our non-profit to assist with gaining entry as a potential participant in the 1Million Project, no worries we appreciate your taking the time to inquire and want you to still take the next step for our Michigan students in closing the homework gap, along with the digital divide, please participate in the May 2020 webinar and get info directly from the meeting to take the next step!!!.  

Before contacting 1 Million Project Directly, please ask your school principal or school district representatives and or leadership are they committed to ALL of the below: 

1. Commitment to identify a minimum of 50 students annually based on the following eligibility criteria:
2. Student is in grades K-12
3. Student does not have reliable high-speed Internet access at home
4. Student is committed to using their 1Million Project device to support their online learning
5. Commitment to ensuring 75% of distributed devices are used each month.
6. Commitment to recovering and redeploying devices from students with non-use.
7. Commitment to completing the annual District Implementation Plan (DIP).
8. Commitment to engaging in three 20 minute Program Status Reviews annually with several members of the district’s senior leaders and 1MP staff.
9. Commitment to ensuring timely device distribution to eligible students.
10. Commitment to identifying a district Point of Contact (POC) and school POC’s to administer the project.

Are you committed to the above eligibility requirements?  YES or NO, if No, then Stop, If YES then proceed to contact Closing The Digital Gap at:  info@closingthedigitalgap.org   or  scroll down further for further upcoming May 2020 webinar being hosted by representative(s) of the 1Million Project, you can get more info and application with 1Million Project directly at the time of the webinar with hopefully all of your questions answered during the webinar or immediately after.

Program eligibility is reviewed annually. Eligible and approved members may request devices in the amount that is equal to the number of identified eligible students. Hotspots and smartphones may be available — device types are not guaranteed.  If you feel you are ready to move forward without a webinar to get feedback without assistance then feel free to go to the 1Million Project Application website link:   https://ipop.secure.force.com/1Million 

If you would like assistance or if you would like a paper application or if you would like to participate in an upcoming webinar during May 2020 to get any and all of your questions answered before submitting an application for determination of eligibility, regarding this 1Million Project, please send an email to Closing The Digital Gap at info@closingthedigitalgap.org with subject "1Million Project Webinar or Paper Application".  The 1Million Contact Project Team member that will set up the Webinar for Michigan Area in May 2020 per CTDG requests for our state coverage area will be:  

                    NAT'L SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION MGR.

*****IMPORANT MESSAGE:   

COVID-19 has generated an unprecedented demand for our help. We are prioritizing applicants that are interested in purchasing devices for the 2020-21 school year.

Is your district interested in purchasing* devices to support distance learning? 

*Required -- You will need to answer a Yes or No.

If you are interested in purchasing devices, please clarify which school year(s) you are interested in purchasing devices for:  2019-2020 or 2020-2021

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SPRINT 1 Million Project's MISSION is to help one million students who do not have reliable Internet access at home reach their full potential by giving them devices and free high-speed, reliable Internet access. 

CLOSING THE DIGITAL GAP's MISSION is to assist with technology training, technology ownership and internet access for residents of our service area, along with assisting other 501c3 nonprofits.