California Public Utilities Commission awards $200,000 in funding as part of Digital Divide Grant Program

SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Thursday approved four grants totaling almost $200,000 to help close the digital divide in low-income urban and rural communities across California.

Officials say the funding comes from the CPUC’s Digital Divide Grant Program, which supports community technology initiatives aimed at expanding broadband access and increasing digital literacy.

The Montague Charter Academy in Pacoima will receive $99,500 to provide 125 LTE-enabled Chromebooks with licenses to underserved students, including those who are homeless and in foster care.

The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) is set to receive $24,000 for its School2Home program at Cesar E. Chavez Middle School. According to the CPUC, program will offer tablets, Chromebooks, and training to students and parents in a high-poverty rural district.

Cyber-Seniors will be awarded $49,931.51 to launch the Connected Communities program with BridgeLA. The initiative will offer technology training at 40 sites for 300 seniors, many of whom live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, said the CPUC.

The Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) will receive $26,000 to host Family Tech Summits in Fresno and Tulare counties. These summits will provide digital literacy workshops and access to devices for more than 300 underserved families.

The Digital Divide Grant Program is funded through revenues generated by lease agreements for wireless telecommunications facilities on state-owned property. Grants are awarded annually to community-based organizations and schools that provide digital inclusion solutions.

Grant recipients must submit progress and completion reports to ensure accountability and project outcomes. The first progress report is due Dec. 1, 2025, and the final completion report is due June 1, 2026.

The CPUC continues to regulate services and utilities, protect consumers, and assure Californians access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services.

Will Anderson

William Anderson is the Assignment Desk Editor for Action News Now.

He can be reached at wanderson@actionnewsnow.com