NBC10/WCAU, Telemundo62/WWSI, and the NBCUniversal Foundation have announced that six local non-profit organizations will receive a total of $225,000 in grants as part of the first annual Project Innovation grant challenge.
The winning organizations were selected by the stations for their outstanding programs that leverage technology to solve everyday problems in the areas of civic engagement, skills for the digital economy and STEM/STEAM youth programming.
“We are thrilled to recognize the work of six local non-profit organizations through Project Innovation,” said Ric Harris, President and General Manager of NBC10 and Telemundo62. “NBC10 and Telemundo62 are committed to responding to the needs of our community. The Project Innovation grant program allows us to help these groups further their mission by contributing to the ground-breaking work they are doing in our local communities.”
Project Innovation is presented by the NBCUniversal Foundation and NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal. NBC and Telemundo owned stations located in 11 markets, including greater Philadelphia, launched the new grant challenge in January 2018 to identify local organizations that embrace technology and innovation to develop real-life solutions for their communities.
The stations located in each of the participating regions created community panels to review the grant applications and select final grant recipients. This year, more than $2.4 million will be awarded to not-for-profit organizations all across the country that are doing their part to transform their communities by providing solutions to real-life problems through tech-based approaches.
Local Project Innovation 2018 grant recipients include:
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HOPEWORKS ‘N CAMDEN, INC. – Recode Your Future ($55,000)
Recode Your Future is a program that creates a pathway for young adults for careers in technology and web development by engaging young adults in an intensive curriculum focused on technical training in web development, graphic design and coding. The program helps participants gain permanent employment in high-paying tech jobs. The program also helps to build a diverse workforce pipeline for jobs in technology fields.
LIVE CONNECTIONS ORG – What’s Going On ($25,000)
“What’s Going On” is a year-long song writing and music technology residency led by LiveConnections in collaboration with Hill-Freedman World Academy, a Philadelphia public school. This program guides students in writing poems, lyrics and songs inspired by Motown: its artistry, role as a leading African-American owned business, and prominent voice for civil rights. It will culminate in the production of an original CD that speaks to students' perspectives on family, community and justice. In partnership with the school’s music technology teacher, a team of LiveConnections teaching artists and recording engineers lead weekly sessions with 10th and 11th grade students. This STEAM residency merges English Language Arts, music, technology, and provides multiple ways in which students can boost skills in creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.
STRING THEORY SCHOOLS – Particle Accelerator ($50,000)
The program enables high school students to work alongside innovative Philadelphia based start-up companies on design projects. Students work under the guidance of professionals including artists-in-residence, scientists-in-residence, and entrepreneurs-in residence to develop authentic work such as logos/branding/marketing, prototyping and advanced manufacturing, web/app design, TV/video production, and social media.
SUPPORT CENTER FOR CHILD ADVOCATES – Digital Lockers for Older Foster Youth ($33,420)
Digital Lockers for Older Foster Youth give older youth the ability to digitally access important personal documents. Electronic personal records are widely in use by U.S. families and providers, yet foster youth rarely have this kind of easy access to their own essential life documents. Without the support and stability of family who can keep their important documents, they leave foster care without a home for their information and unprepared for post-system independence. With digital lockers, youth will have ongoing access to personal information that will benefit them in the future.
TECH IMPACT– ITWorks ($50,000)
An innovative, free-of-charge program that directly impacts the Philadelphia community by helping disadvantaged/disenfranchised young adults launch careers in IT, and by helping entry-level IT workers advance in their careers. In 16 weeks, ITWorks prepares its students ages 18 to 26, with a high school diploma or GED but no bachelor's degree, who are unemployed or underemployed for entry-level IT jobs (e.g. Help Desk Support).
YWCA OF BUCKS COUNTY – TechGYRLS ($11,580)
An innovative afterschool program that provides a safe, diverse, girls-only environment where upper elementary- and middle-school aged girls can participate in an intensive exploration of technology. This is achieved through participation in a learning environment that’s safe, nurturing and decidedly dedicated to the notion that women and girls have a role in STEM careers, and what’s more, is that women and girls have a role in impacting society as transformational leaders. TechGYRLS introduces participants to the world of robotics where girls learn to create computer programs that control the behavior of robots, learn programming and building skills. The YWCA will run two TechGYRLS clubs within low-income communities for two, 12-week semesters.
Winners were selected in the following three categories: Igniting Civic Engagement, Skills for the Digital Economy, STEM/STEAM Youth Programming. To see the list of all Project Innovation 2018 winners, visit nbcuniversal.com.
ABOUT NBC10 PHILADELPHIA / WCAU
Owned by NBCUniversal, NBC10 Philadelphia has been delivering local news, information and weather for more than 60 years, serving nearly six million viewers throughout Greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, South Jersey and Delaware. Viewers turn to NBC10 for the most up-to-date breaking news and weather on a variety of platforms, including online at nbc10.com and via mobile and social platforms. COZI TV, the station’s multicast network, offers a full schedule of America’s most beloved and iconic television series and hit movies as well as local programming. COZI TV can be seen on Comcast channel 248, Verizon channel 460, RCN channel 28 and over-the-air on digital 10.2.
ABOUT TELEMUNDO62 PHILADELPHIA / WWSI
Owned by NBCUniversal, Telemundo62 / WWSI is NBC’s Owned Television Stations local station serving Spanish-speaking viewers throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, including 18 counties across Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware. Telemundo62 viewers start their mornings with Primera Edicion, an hour-long, local Spanish-language newscast airing weekdays at 6AM. Noticiero Telemundo62 is a locally produced, live Spanish-language newscast, airing weekdays at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Viewers turn to Noticiero Telemundo62 for local news, weather, sports and community coverage on-air and on the Telemundo62 app. For more information, visit Telemundo62.com
About NBCUniversal Foundation
NBCUniversal Foundation works to advance initiatives at the cross-section of societal needs and NBCUniversal’s priorities. The Foundation supports programs and organizations that strive to move communities forward – with a focus on innovation and technology. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.
