CPUC Awards $3.29 Million to Expand Digital Literacy and Broadband Access Across California
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved $3.29 million in grants from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to support 21 projects that will expand digital literacy training and public broadband access in communities across the state.
The grants will fund 18 digital literacy projects and three broadband access projects, collectively serving an estimated 16,145 Californians. The projects will provide digital literacy training to 5,345 participants and deliver broadband access to 10,800 additional community members in underserved areas.
The approved projects will serve communities in Alameda, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Ventura, and Yolo counties.
Approved Projects
Today’s action approves funding for the following organizations and initiatives:
- American GI Forum Education Foundation of Santa Maria – $180,325 to provide digital literacy and data skills training for veterans in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
- Cyber-Seniors – $751,780 for five Connected Communities digital literacy projects serving older adults in Alameda County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Francisco, and San Jose.
- Daly City Peninsula Partnership Collaborative – $231,050 to provide digital literacy training in Northern San Mateo County, including services tailored to seniors, immigrants, and low-income residents.
- Genesis Community Foundation – $1,196,640 for eight Golden Bridge Program digital literacy projects serving seniors, low-income residents, justice-involved youth, and high school students in the Sacramento region.
- HOPE Center of Orange County – $140,532 to deliver digital literacy training and support to individuals experiencing homelessness in North Orange County.
- International Rescue Committee – San Jose Office – $154,481 to provide digital literacy training to refugees and immigrants in Santa Clara County through its Digital Inclusion for School and Careers project.
- International Rescue Committee – San Diego Office – $169,890 to deliver digital literacy and workforce-oriented digital skills training for refugees and immigrants in San Diego County.
- Monterey Bay Economic Partnership – $463,644 for three Connected Communities Hubs projects establishing free public broadband access sites in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.
Across the 18 digital literacy projects, grantees will provide at least eight hours of digital literacy instruction per participant and support broadband subscription enrollment where appropriate. The three broadband access projects will establish community hubs with free public Wi-Fi and equipment.
“California has made significant investments in deploying broadband infrastructure, but delivering on the statewide goal of Broadband for All also requires lowering the barriers many Californians face in accessing internet services or using the internet effectively,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “These awards will support organizations across 14 counties in conducting digital literacy initiatives serving critical, vulnerable populations and enabling public access to broadband in communities with significant need.”
Broader Impact of the July 2025 Grant Cycle
In addition to the projects approved today by CPUC Commissioner vote, the July 1, 2025 application cycle also included 92 additional projects that met ministerial review criteria and will receive up to $10,128,097 in Adoption Account funding.
The ministerial awards include projects led by nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, senior centers, schools, public libraries, and four local governments, including the City of Irwindale, the City of Long Beach, Napa County, and Sierra County.
Collectively, the ministerial projects will provide digital literacy training to 17,450 participants and broadband access to 13,428 participants, while supporting an estimated 4,364 new broadband subscriptions.
When combined with today’s CPUC Commissioner-approved projects, the full July 2025 grant cycle represents:
- Up to $13.4 million in total Adoption Account investment
- Digital literacy training for 22,795 Californians
- Broadband access for 24,228 participants
- More than 5,100 anticipated new broadband subscriptions
Together, these investments demonstrate the scale and reach of the CASF Broadband Adoption Account and its role in strengthening digital equity statewide.
Program Background
The CASF Broadband Adoption Account was established to increase publicly available or after-school broadband access and to promote digital inclusion in communities with limited broadband adoption. The program prioritizes low-income communities, seniors, and communities facing socioeconomic barriers to broadband access.
For Fiscal Year 2025–2026, the CPUC set an appropriation of $30 million for the Adoption Account to continue advancing broadband adoption efforts statewide.
Next Steps
Grant recipients must begin their projects within six months of submitting a consent form and complete their work within 24 months. They are required to submit periodic progress and completion reports to the CPUC to ensure accountability and performance outcomes.
More Information
###
About the California Public Utilities Commission
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information.